The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1904-10-15
CHANGE NECESSARY.
DelOs Fall Gives His Views on
the Distribution Of Primary
School Money.

In his annual report for the last
calendar year State Superintendent
OF Public Instruction Fall recon-
mends q constitutional amendment
in regard to the method OF distrib-
utiug the primary school interest
money. Superintendent Fall de
clares that the present method Of
dis s,ributing this money according to
the number OF children 10 the dis
trict between the ages of five and
twenty years is manifestly unfair,
and in its place it is recommended
that the distribution be made on the
basis Of the number of children en-
rolled and attending sch Dol hSt
teach the common English branches
as required by the law, such enroll
ment and attendance continuing
through the school year as fixed in
the district, and in no case being
less than five months.
'By basing this distribution on
the enrolment" it is said, "we
shall furnish an incentive to every
taxpayer to use his influence and
authority to see that all children
are actually enrolled and in attend
ance at school, and the distribution
OF the fund will then be made in &c.
cordance with the interest mani.
tested in the welfare of the children. Z"
Otherimportant recommendation
are made to the legislature by the
superintendent, who will soon retire.
He urges a constitutional amend
ment so that a salary of not less
than %, 500 shall be paid to the su-
perintendent Of public instruction
hereafter, the present salary being
81 900 per year, or less than the sum
paid the superintendent Of many vii
lage schools.
An amendment to the constitution
giving the township boards power to
dispose OF penal fines, which are now
devoted to township libraries is sug-
gested.
The law providing for a one mill
tax in townships should be repealed,
In Mr.. Falls opinion, as it is no
longer necessary. The bonding
limit in districts. fixed under the
present law according to the number
of school children is said to be mani
festly unfair, as it has absolutely
nothing to do with the ability OF the
district so bear the bonded indebt-
edness.
| Larger salaries for county com.
missioners OF schools and members
Of county examining boords are sug-
gested, and it is recommended that
their travelling expenses be paid by
the county.
The law providing for the estab-
lishment OF day schools for the deaf
is said to be very. deficient in some
particulars, notably with reference
to the provision that portion of the
expense shall be borne by the state,
the law being directly contrary to
the general accounting law Of the
state. Special training for teachers
in these day schools should be re.
quired, in the opinion of the state
superintendent.
The wisdom OF the county normal
training school system is said to be
established, but it is suggested that
there should be but one course OF
| study, which should consist OF not
less than thirty six weeks of five
days each,
Superintendent Fall calls attention
to the necessity for a general revi-
sion of the school laws. "There are
now many conflicting provisions and
ambiguous sections, it is declared,
"and it is my opinion 1t would be a
wise measure for the legislature to
provide for the appointment OF o
commission whose duty it shall be to
codify the school laws OF the state
and submit them to the succeeding
legislature for approval" !"
On the text book question, always
a subject for discussion in relation
to the schools, Superintendent Fall
earnestly recommends that no fur.
ther legislation be attempted al
present, the existing law being Q
good workable measure. The hol {
Is expressed that bills for state uni.
formity, for state publication, and
publication OF books in the penaI
institutions OF the state will not be
revived at the next session of. the
Legislature.
$500 ~ -