The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-01-03

plans for school houses should b. sub
mitted to the superintendent Of public
instruction and secretary Of the state
board of health. These ofncials would
approve OF the heating. ventilatins.
lighting; In fact, of all the sanitary
essentials before the contracts could
be entered into for construction. In
states where this plan has been pur-
sued satisfactory results have been
srealized.
School Boards.
So far as possible, our educational
interests should be divorced entirely
from partisan politics. In Michigan
We have not succeeded in doing this.
suggest the enactment Of q manda-
tory law providing for city boards Of
education Of not to exceed seven mem
bers. elected by the people at large.
Such school boards shohld Be super
visory and legislative in their func-
ton and should have the appointing
of two salaried executives. a superin.
tendent and business manager, each
of whom shall be responsible for his
particular work. ~ ~ j.; -
Uniform System Of textbooks. =
Many states in the union have en-.
acted laws for securing a uniform sys-
tenn Of textbooks. i would suggest
that the legislature make a careful
study Of the results of the Indiana
plan. Barring the larger cities and
restricting uniformity of the eight
grade schools, all the advantages that
we now realize could be secured, and
besides the state would. save thereby
tens OF thousands of dollars.
agree with the declaration Of the
Republicans in their platform in
which they declare that we should
sacredly preserve the primary school
fund. Under the rather extraordinary
changes in the assessment of property
there seems to be some probability or
seriously reducing the primary school
fund. This would cripple the work of
our common schools. We cannot az
ford under any circumstances to do
less for our 10000 school children.
We can afford to do more rather than
less.
Medical Practice Laws.
From a materialistic standpoint, no
investment yields greater returns to
the wealth of the state than health.
A recent estimate OF the economic
value of life In England shows that
human labor capitalized Is worth five
times all other capital The physi-
clans OF Michigan stand ready to fur
Their all legislation that tends to en-.
tighten the people along lines that
conserve health. At present Michigan
is the camping ground for numerous
medical fakirs. I suggest the enact
ment OF law whereby practitioners
be required to pass examinations be.
fore the state board OF medical ex-
aminers. or state board OF health, in
physiology. anatomy, hygiene, chem.
istry, bacteriology. physics. pathology
and diagnosis. A knowledge OF these
subjects Is fundamental i'm any ra-
tional attempt on the part OF q prac.
titiOner to serve the hest interests of
his patients. This Is reasonable re-
quirement. and the legislation along
this line ought to command not only
the approval of the profession, but the
approval of laymen generally.
Civil Service.
The business OF the state can be
more economically and efficiently ad
ministerod If merit. ability, integrity
and energy OF employees rather than
political activity be, made the basis of
employment |, therefore. suggest
! that the legislature enact civil serv-
ice law to this end.
Weekly Payment Of Employees.
recommend the enactment of a
law whereby railroad companies, min.
| ing companies and manufacturing cor
Germs be required 10 pay their EN-
ployes weekly. This is matter O..
simple Justice.
Economy.
I EVERY successiul business man is
always aware OF the importance of
economy. Just why he should some.
times forget the importance of econ
otly when he becomes the hired man
of the state is something OF mys.
terry. One thing is clearly evident,
and that is that the people are no
longer willing that an official should.
for the sake OF political friendship
make the state a dollar OF unneces.
sary expense. Efficiency 10 fundamen.
tai In all forms OF service. sincerely
hope that the legislators will cooper
| ate with me in reducing the number
Of employees 20 the minimum.
IN Conclusion.
MY attention has Been called to
many other matters. but possibly
have already offered too many sug-
gestions. realize that on account of
your limited time some of them can.
not be considered. In conclusion
repeat that the Australian ballot, an
efficient primary law, the initiative