Common Schools. FROM THE "GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE." One of the most important and interesting reports which is yearly submitted to the legislature, is that of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. In this age of intellectual improvement it is admitted by all that no one thing conduces more to the national security and prosperity, than the education of the masses. While this is undeniably true in its application to governments in general, it is recognized as a fundamental axiom in the the peculiar one under which we live, and, as such, is the first duty of our legislators to foster and encourage popular education. During the struggle through which we have just passed, the Colleges and Common Schools of the country have proven sources of great national strength, and it may be truthfully asserted, that opposition to the government, not clearly traceable to intelligent malignity, has for the most part been based upon the ignorance of the masses. I concur fully in the valuable suggestions made by the Superintendent, especially those relating to irregular attendance upon school, and the importance of State aid in the establishment of school libraries. I note with pleasure that the services of our teachers are becoming more highly appreciated and that during the past year this has resulted in slightly increasing their remuneration. This is a step in the right direction. The number of children in the State between the ages of four and twenty is, 352,005; increase during 1866, 12,980; number attending public schools, 234,265; increase during 1866, 11,198; number of teachers employed, 7,879. The whole amount expended by the people, in support of common schools was $1,190,289.10. Increase during 1866, $135,187.77. The amount of the school fund at the close of the fiscal year was $2,141,892.17. The total receipts for the fiscal year, being for sales of lands, dues, loans paid, taxes, &c., amounted to $329,412.44. The disbursements were: to counties, taxes collected, $22,827.45; invested in Wisconsin securities, $393,700.00; transferred to other funds and refunded $4,053.29; total $420,580.74. Balance in fund Sept 30, 1865, $10,465.06. Leaving the fund overdrawn by investment in Wisconsin bonds, $8,703.00. The amount of and belonging to the fund is 463,463.93 acres. The interest accruing from the school fund, together with twenty-five per cent. of the Normal School Fund Income, constitutes the School Fund Income, the receipts of which, during the fiscal year, were: interest, $165,669.71; transferred from other funds, $14,854.87; fines, sales of dictionaries, timber and refunded; total, $182,119.64. The disbursements were as follows: Apportioned by the State Superintendent, $152,560.80; clerks in Land Department, $8,197.4; transferred to other, funds and refunded, $14,114.35; advertising, printing, protecting land and attorney's fees, $5,177.56; total, $180,049.76. NORMAL SCHOOLS. After fully considering all propositions received from different localities, the Normal School Regents resolved to establish schools at the following places: At Whitewater, which donates a site and $25,000. The school building is now being erected and will be ready for occupancy next fall. At Platteville, which donates the Platteville Academy buildings, with $1,100 to put the same in complete repair, and $5,000. This school has been opened and I am happy to say is a complete success. At Oshkosh, which donates a site and $30,000, the necessary buildings to be erected as soon as practicable. At Stoughton, which donates a site, $36,000 and forty acres of valuable timber land. At Sheboygan, which donates a site and $35,000, the propable cost of the requisite buildings. All of these schools will be opened at as early a day as the condition of the funds will warrant, and from them there is every reason to anticipate a very great benefit to the educational interests of the State. The fund is a magnificent one and to those who originated and advocated the legislature which created it, the people of the state are under lasting obligations. The total productive Normal School Fund now is $598,999.92, and the number of acres of land belonging to the fund is 493,910. The receipts for the past year amounted to $83,032.06, and the disbursements were as follows: Wisconsin bonds purchased, $68,000.00; printing and refunded items, $3,732,.69; transferred to other funds, $21,590.75; total, $93,323.44. The receipts of the Normal School Fund Income amounted to $69,430.94. The disbursements for regents, clerks, buildings, attorneys' fees, transferred to other funds and protecting lands, amounted to $22,766.03, leaving a balance in this fund of $56,940.20, to which may be added $110,000.00 to be paid by the localities above named, and $32,197.50 interest which will accrue to the fund early this year, making a grand total of $199,147.70, subject to the order of the regents. THE STATE UNIVERSITY. The State University having been reorganized, and the lands granted by the general government to the State in aid of an agricultural college added to its resources, there is every reason to believe the institution has entered upon a more permanent and extended career of usefulness. The regents appointed under the provisions of chapter 114, laws of 1866, entered upon the discharge of their duties on the 27th day of June last. Their report shows that the county of Dane has delivered to them county bonds to the amount of $40,000, and they ask of you the authority, which I think should be unhesitatingly granted, to invest in these bonds a corresponding amount of the University fund. They also report the purchase of 195 acres of land adjoining the original plat, including various buildings, for an experimental farm, at a cost of $27,054.00. The total productive fund of the institution is now $168,298.55, the interest of which, together with such sums as may be received for annual income of about tuition, room rent, &c., will insure an $15,000.00, while the estimated 'expenditure for each year is about $21,000.00 leaving the institution inadequate to its proper support by about $6,000.00. There are 17,982 acres of University land and 233,556 acres of Agricultural College land belonging to the fund, and as they are disposed of, the deficit will, of course, diminish. up this The Regents ask, and with good reason, that the State make deficit, by refunding the sums which for years past it has ungenerously pay the expenses and in direct violation of law, taken from the fund to of its management, amounting in the aggregate to $10,500.00. They also assert, and with apparent justice, that the State should pay interest upon $100,000, the use of which it unwarrantably permitted in the erection of the present buildings. The admission, under the provisions of the law of 1866, of one student from each assembly district free of tuition charge, though in every respect just and wise, will necessarily operate to reduce somewhat the income which it would otherwise have received. I commend the suggestions and recommendations of the Regents, in all of which I concur, to your careful consideration. I have observed with much satisfaction that the University has outlived the fierce opposition which it has encountered on nearly every side since its organization, and bids fair to become what it should be in this State. A little timely assistance from the State each year will soon place it beyond the need of pecuniary help. That it has not received such aid in the past, none can deny. Indeed, had the object of the State been to cripple and -harrass it, means better adapted to the end could hardly have been chosen. Not a single dollar has ever yet been expended by the State for its benefit, and in this regard the legislation of this State suffers much by a comparison with that of our neighbor, Michigan. I trust that simple justice will be awarded to that University, and that, in future, it will receive from the State that liberal support and encouragement which is due from an enlightened public opinion, recognizing the fact that in education is to be found one of the strongest bulwarks of our government, State and National. Who are Entitled to Admittance to the Normal Schools. A CIRCULAR FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Each Assembly district in the State shall be entitled to six representatives in the Normal Schools, and in case vacancies exist in the representation to which any Assembly district is entitled, such vacancies may be filled by the President and Secretary of the Board of Regents. Candidates for admission shall be nominated by the County Superintendent of the County, (or if the County Superintendent has not jurisdiction, then the nomination shall be made by the City Superintendent of the City,) in which such candidate may reside, and they shall be at least sixteen years of age, of sound bodily health and good moral character. Each person, so nominated, shall receive a certificate setting forth his name, age, health and character, and a duplicate of such certificate shall be immediately sent by mail by the Superintendent to the Secretary of the Board. Upon the presentation of such certificate to the Principal of a State Normal School, the candidate shall be examined under the direction of the Principal of said School, in the branches required by law for a third grade certificate, except History and Theory and Practice of Teaching, and if found qualified to enter the Normal School in respect to learning, he may be admitted, after furnishing such evidence as the said Principal may require, of good health and good moral character, and after subscribing the following declaration: I do hereby declare that my purpose in entering the State Normal School is to fit myself for the profession of teaching, and that it is my intention to engage in teaching in the schools of this State. No person shall be entitled to a diploma, who has not been a member of the school, for which such diploma is granted, at least one year, nor who is less than nineteen years of age; and a certificate of attendance may be granted by the Principal of a Normal School to any person who shall have been a member of such school for one term, provided, that in his judgment such certificate is deserved. To all persons found qualified to enter a State Normal School, if residents of this State, tuition is free. The object in establishing these institutions is to provide qualified teachers for our public schools. Permit me to ask your earnest co-operation in this great work. I am very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JNO. G. McMYNN, Sup't Public Instruction. The Schoolmaster M. D. In the State of New York ('tis a long time ago) I am speaking the truth, and I'd have you to know Or affirm, if you dare doubt my y word. T'was at Greenwich the school-house I'm speaking of stood- Though 'tis twenty years since, it is standing there yet, You'll find it the same even now. |