Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-01-14
he house committees on agriculture

most important measure Is one pro-
viding for an analysis OF the soil OF
the state. Although some other states
provide a special appropriation for this
work. II Is Mr. Schantzs plan to avoid
this and have the expense OF conduct
Ing the analysis paid out OF the APP
preparation provided for the mainte-
uance OF the agricultural college. This
appropriation has been materially In
creased during the past few years,
largely through the activities OF Mr..
Schantz, and he thinks portion OF
the additional fund. or about $4,000
per year. can be advantageously divert
ed to the uses mentioned.
Fol- some time the state has made
modest annual appropriations in aid of
the annual fairs of the State and West
Michigan agricultural societies. Schantz
would have the state contribute toward
the payment OF premiums awarded at
county fairs. It is pointed out that In
some states 40 per cent of the total
premium awards of county fair asso-
Citations is paid by the state. Another
bill proposed in the interest OF the
agriculturalist is one providing that
they be compensated for cattle killed
by order of state authorities because
infected with tuberculosis or other dis
ease.
Township Unit System.
The township unit system OF rural
school government, which has for years
been opposed by the grange and other
farmers organizations, will be one OF
the principal measures to receive the
enthusiastic support of the superin-
tendent of public instruction this year.
Superintendent Wright has been max
ing a thorough study of the situation
and has arrived at the conclusion
that the township unit system will In
every way advance the interests and
efficiency of the rural schools. He con-
tends that the state has grown away
from the district system which was
inaugurated in the early days and
points out that so greatly have the
number of districts been increased
that there are in the state several dis
tricts with only one or two children
Of school age on their census lists,
while there are many districts In which
not TO exceed half dozen children of
school age reside. In one district In
Oakland county there is not one child
of school age. In one township, six
miles square, In Hillsdale county, there
are eleven school districts and ten
one-room school houses.
Would Improve Rural Schools.
II is further pointed out that In
one-seventh OF the districts of the
state the census list includes not to
exceed fifteen children. II is argued
from this state of facts that large
number of the school children of the
state do not have as satisfactory
school advantages as do others. Then.
too, because of the inability of the
separate districts to furnish as good
school facilities as are provided in the
villages and cities, many parents re-
siding in the country send their chill
dren to the city and village schools
and in the aggregate pay large sum
annually for tuition in addition to be-
/ ing taxed for the support of their home
schools. BY uniting the districts and
making the county the unit far better
rural schools can be provided. The
advantages urged for the proposed sys-
tenn are better and more economical
business administration, high school
privileges near home, better teachers,
better school equipment and better SUI
pervision.
The program of the department of
public instruction relative to this mat
ter is sure TO meet with vigorous OPP
position. The grange ard other farm
ers' organizations are strong in the leg
islature and Ii is not at all certain
that their opposition to the bill can
be overcome.
To Amend Primary Law.
Senator Dickinson, who as member
OF the lower house for several sessions
has been the special champion of pri-
mary reform, is completing a compre-
hensive measure amending the primary
election law In various particulars. IL
is expected that this bill will be ready
for introduction within few days. In
his last message Governor Warner ad-
vocated the extension of the primary
system TO other offices than those COW
cred by the existing statute. but he did
not designate which Offices he would
add TO the list. II Is understood that
the Dickinson bill will include all legis-
lative candidates and candidates for
United States senator, leaving the con-
vention TO nominate all candidates for
state Offices other than governor and
lieutenant governor. There Will, how
ever, be quite a number OF Legislators
who will stand for state wide pri-
mary law which will do away with
state conventions entirely 80 far as
the nomination of candidates is con-
cerned. There will be some little strife
over the inclusion Of United States SEN
ator. Governor Warner favors such
extension of the law, however.
Railroads Have Grievances.
There have been Indications during
the past few days that the railroads
will ask for some amendments to the
railroad laws 1t IL known that they
believe that the Michigan railroad COM
mission has too great power In view
of the fact that there 10 no appeal from
its decision in certain cases In which
II is also the complaining witness and
prosecutor They desire In all such
cases that the action of the commission
be renewable.
The Republican state convention
which will meet in Grand Rapids next
month promises to be of unusual in
terest Owing To changes made Inv the