Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-17

ness OF this investigation. the care with
which it has oeen prepared to aid legisIa-
tive elaboration and the extensive legisIa-
ton recommended. amounting practically to
a revision Of our statutes regarding the
regulation of life insurance companies. pre-
cludes the necessity of specific executive
recommendations concerning this subject.
Permit me, however, to add that nearly
every citizen of Wisconsin is vitality infer
ested in the regulation of insurance cor
porations. According to the report of the
commissioner Of insurance. there were on
Dec. 81, 1905, 1913 S02 persons in Wiscon-
sin holding policies in old line life insur-
ance companies, amounting to S242. 727,-
94S.T0, upon which the annual premium ag-
gregated SS.637. 013.2S. The people paving
annually this large sum of money, necessi-
tating in the majority of instances careful
saving. and those dependent upon the pol
icy holders for the necessities Of life look
to this legislature, and have a right TO
ask, that such laws be passed as will ade-
quately protect their savings. MANY peoDIe
have come to regard life insurance os a say
ing bank account, and certainly their equf-
ties in insurance policies are entitled to the
same careful legislation and state super
vision as has been adopted in regard to
banks With the immense sums taken from
the policy holders, the treasures of the in
surance corporations have presented such
temptations for questionable transactions as
have been beyond the power Of present day
officials TO resist. Protect the rights and
property Of the people, erect such legal safe
guards IldL INSURANCE. SHdll De Sucl IN 1acf,
that trust funds shall be honestly applied
that there shall be limit to the expendi-
ture of the insurance money and that just
punishment be meted out to all violators of
the law. Legislation failing in these
spects falls short of the public will.
Growth of Institutions.
The State Board of Control, charged with
the administration of the charitable penal
and reformatory institutions of the State,
in its biennial report describes the condition
OF these several institutions as very salts
factory. Nothing has transpired during the
past two years which has in any way i'm
paired their efficiency.
perusal of the report gives the people
of the State reason to take just pride in
the magnificent system of caring for its
unfortunates which has been developed only
through years of labor and the expenditure
or large sums of money. -
State Prison.
Certain additions and new buildings are
called for, which it appears are needed in
order that the institutions can keep pace
with the growth of the State. An appro-
priatiOn of $4,000 is needed to complete
and equip the cell house now under con-
struction at the State prison. Under the
new contract for convict labor. which went
into effect shortly before the last report of
the Board of Control, the revenues of the
prison have been materially increased
Home for Feeble Minded.
At no institution are conditions so crowd
ed as at the Home for the Feeble Minded
at Chippewa Falls. In the ten years since
its establishment, the population has grown
to 6SI, yet the facilities provided fall
far short of those needed to furnish accom-
mOdations for this class of unfortunates. 1t
may be well for the legislature to consider
the question of materially charging this
institution and | therefore recommend that
appropriation be made for two new dormi-
tories. which will cost when equipped not to
exceed $4,000 each.
State Hospital for Insane.
The board calls attention to the neces-
sity of making certain appropriations to
improve the sanitation and heating facili-
ties of several of the State institutions.
The amounts are not large and since they
minister in SO large degree to the health,
comfort and safety of the inmates. l am
confident that such reasonable expenditures
will meet with your approval.
Common Schools.
The total amount expended for instruc-
ton in the schools under the supervision of
the county superintendent for the year end
ing June 80, 1906. was $5,497 ,342.7O; in
cities S3,4S5,64992, or total of $S,982.-
992.62. The State shows its interest in
maintaining public education by making
provision for distributing among the public
schools of the State $1,S70,000, as aid in
maintaining the common schools, the free
high schools. the state graded schools. the
agricultural schools and the county train
ing schools.
With such a comprehensive educational
system. and the expenditure of large
sum of money, Wisconsin ought to take a
front rank among the States of The Union
when education is considered. Reports
show, however. that it does not stand as high
in educational results as it should with this
great expenditure. BY far the most serious
hindrance to profitable school work is the
one resulting from irregularity of attend
ance. Irregularity of attendance compared
with the fact that but go per cent of the
strictly rural school population between the
ages of and IA attended school 100 days
or more for the year ending June 80. 1906
raises a question for grave consideration
This legislature must again concern itself
with the problem of improving the efficiency
of the rural schools.
High Schools.
During the last school year an increased
interest has been manifested in regard to
town free high schools Many additional
schools of this character have been estab-
lished
County Training Schools.
The legislature of 1899 authorized the
establishment of county training schools for
teachers. They were designed for the pur-
pose of giving instruction in the common
school branches, and in the management of
rural schools to persons preparing for this
work. Excellent results are already no.
ticeable from their establishment. | rec
ommend that the statute restricting the
number of such schools be amended so as
of establishing and equipping county train
ing schools
Normal Schools.
The biennial report of the Board of Nor
| NAL Regents shows in a comprehensive man
ner the excellent work being done at the
seven State Normal Schools and that an
increasing number of persons are availing
themselves of the facilities there afforded
State University.
The State University represents the cul-
mination of our system of public education
| The biennial report of the Board of Re-
gents shows the same large annual increase
| in attendance which during the last ten
| years has amounted to an almost marvellous
| growth. Even with the great additions and
| extensions to the university during recent
years. the facilities are still inadequate. and
| its requirements for the next biennial period
will be strongly urged before the legisla-
| ture.
For many years the university. at the end
of the fiscal years, has had in the treasury
only small balance, often amounting to
but a few thousand dollars. In 1905 a law
was passed authorizing tie university for
one year to borrow from the general fund
until its revenue was available. This priv
ilege was continued for another year at the
extra session of the legislature in 1905
Out of this growing practice to borrow from
the state funds in anticipation of its own
revenue considerable criticism developed. 1t
was claimed that the university was being
maintained on a scale entirely beyond the
limits placed by the legislature. and a quite
general suspicion was aroused that the best
business methods did not prevail in its man.
agement The legislature at its extra ses-
sion in 1909 provided for the appointment
| of committee with power to investigate
into the condition of affairs. management.
| expenses and needs of the university. and
also into its business transactions. The com
mittee makes a number of recommendations
which are worthy of your consideration
Dairy and Food Commission.
The report of the Dairy and Food Com
mission for the last biennial period shows
4 result which must be most gratifying to
the people of the State. For the violation
of the dairy and food laws 235 convictions
were secured and fines imposed which, to-
gether with inspections and other lines of
work by the commission. have resulted in
revolution in food matters in Wisconsin.
Needed amendments to existing food and
dairy laws should be made, necessary new
laws enacted and the commission so
strengthened that the important duties en-
|