Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-01-23

of state school systems gives very valu
able evidence concerning the position
of Wisconsin. An independent and Ell
lowed foundation, it cannot be accused
Of craftsmanship. And the report is not
! fattering to Wisconsin.
| mo matter of public education could
be more vital than that there should be
IA large attendance Of children of school
age in the schools Of state. Wiscon
sin with only 81 per cent in attendance
ranks thirty fifth among the states Is
this IA good showing for the activities of
Mr.. Cary's Department. We are
thirteenth in population; we occupy an
enviable position because Of our natural
resources and the bright hope for our
future; our university ranks at the
lowest among the first, but in atten-
dance of children of school age we are
nearly three fourths Of the way to the
bottom. And of our school year not u
great deal more may be said. In the
average number Of days Of attendance,
Wisconsin ranks twenty first, with an
average school year for the child of
only ninety one days Might not a
great deal of the energy of the superin-
tendent have been profitably employed
in securing greater attendance in the
schools and longer school Year,
In average value of school property,
per child of school age, Wisconsin
ranks fourteenth, much better show
ing but not one on which to plume our
selves. In the much more important
item Of the average annual expenditure
per child Wisconsin stands thirteenth.
This Is nothing less than disgrace to
the state. For in the long run state,
like an individual, receives very little
more than it pays for. Mr.. Cary does
not decide the amount of money spent
on education, but it is in his power to
so set forth the needs of the schools, to
point out Wisconsin, position 30 clearly
that sentiment, which in this state is
strong for good education, shall in
crease the amount and raise Wiscon
sins place among the states.
lis 1t not clear that politics has no
place in these matters9 That Wiscon-
sin schools are suffering from politics
in the state Department. That far
more than we need any improvement
in the state university we need better
ment OF the schools which concern Il
vastly greater number OF our citizens
and our citizens to bef Mr.. Cary's
structures on the university have ut best
very little value, but In the light of the
position Of Wisconsin public schools
after ten years of Mr.. Cary's admins
tration they are wholly out of place
and evidence ineificiency and neglect of
his more important duties"
Wisconsin needs state superintend-
ent who will eschew the evil Of carping
ut the states greatest institution and
put forth his best efforts to promoting
public instruction,
Az The Journal says the University
OF Wisconsin Is too widely and favor.
ably known to suffer much In reputa-
ton from MIR. Cary's railing accuse.
tions. But in one direction the derisive
articles OF the State Superintendent have
done incalculable harm. They have
turned aside many worthy sons and
daughters of Wisconsin from going for
ward in education.
The right idea is to exalt all the
schools; and make conditions such that
education, even liberal education, shall
be possible.-not only for the few,-but
for the many.