document 9 of this session, or in the same number of the Senate document.

In relation to the fiscal affairs of the University and the policy pursued by the Regents, the committee say:

That they would not fully acquit themselves of their duty to the board or the community, in closing this report, without adverting to the fact that the receipts for lands sold, and the instalments and interest, accruing thereon, have fallen short of the estimates. Acting on the principle, which is believed to be true, that intellectual labor, in all the departments of instruction should be well paid and encouraged in carrying it out, by the actual condition of the permanent funds of the institution, liberal salaries were awarded to the principals of the branches and professors, (so far as appointed,) and have been paid without delay or deduction to the present time. And they cannot but regard this course of policy as one of the causes of the actual efficiency and success which has marked the course of instruction generally at the branches. That the branches, although affording a sound and reputable description of instruction, have been maintained at a comparatively high expense, to the parent institution is not to be denied, and it is a question, in view of the prospective and diminishing state of the funds, and the increasing demands of the University at its central point, whether the same system should be indefinitely continued, or a connection established between the amount of salary paid and the numbers taught. Disconnected with the principle of finance, sound principle is taught to forbid any respect to this relation. A teacher's best abilities are as fully required to teach a few as many.

We have arrived at a point in the establishment of the institution, when the organization of a Faculty and the opening of the UNIVERSITY proper is a consideration of moment, and the hope is entertained that this may be brought about before the close of another year. A limited number of professors would temporarily answer all the purposes of the incipient and limited classes, and the duties of Chancelfor could be performed ex-officio. To accomplish this,

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however, with our present funds without crippling the branches, or devising some additional means for their support from the surrounding communities, will not be of easy attainment. While the permanent funds of the institution are of undiminished intrinsic value, and confidence is felt in the final ability of the purchasers of University lands, there need be no well grounded apprehension that the present annual receipts from these sources will be eventually dimin ished. Whether sources thus really ample, and which may be eventually relied on without fallacy, constitute grounds in the present state of the institution to justify the anticipation of their proceeds by a further loan, in order to consummate an object so closely identified with the cause of education, is a question that has suggested itself to the Board.

The total expenditures for the University proper, during the year past, were $41,852 43. The cost of sustaining the branches for the same period, $10,188 33.

The Regents, in obedience to the joint resolution approved March 25, 1840, reported to the Legislature, through A. Ten Eyck, Esq., their Secretary, that having duly considered the subject, their views were that "the first change in the organic law deemed essential, is the proper restriction of responsibility to the Board of Regents. At present the responsibility is divided, and the Board would be greatly facilitated in their action, were such amendments made as would throw entire responsibility on them, and require them to report their annual proceedings to the Legislature.

"The second change relates to the trust and management of the funds of the University. Under the existing law it is impossible for the Board to adopt their measures to their means, to project or execute such plans as the interests of education, the wants of the State and the resources of the University demand. The duties of Superintendent in connection with the University, are unnecessary and onerous,"

A report was made by Mr. ADAM, as chairman of the committee of the Senate, in reply to certain queries regarding the branches. The resolution of the Senate directed the committee to enquire and report, what number of branches of the University had been established, and at what places-how many scholars had attended each during the past year-what limitations as to age, sex and acquirements, had been imposed by the Regents, regulating the admission of students--what amount of charges for tuition, &c., had been received by the Regents, at the several branches-what number had been taught gratis-how many teachers had been employed in each branch, and what regulation had been adopted in relation to compensation of teachers.

The committee reported that there were seven branches established, viz: at Detroit, Monroe, Tecumseh, Pontiac. White Pigeon, Niles and Kalamazoo, with female departments at Monroe, Tecumseh, White Pigeon and Niles.

That there were in all these branches during the the first term of the year, 222 scholars; during the second, 233; and during the third, 247.

That in the code of laws for the government of the branches, the committee found no limitation as to the age of the students, at their admission, and that in regard to acquirements, each applicant for admission had to undergo an examination satisfactory to the principal, in reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. For admission to the female department, there was required a satisfactory examination in "reading, writing, spelling, and the rudiments of geography."

That the tuition fees, as established in the code of laws, were in Detroit and Monroe for the first year, $19 50; second year. $18 00; third, and each succeeding year, $12 00. One-tenth of tuition fees was to be applied to the purchase of books for the branch library.

That the committee had no means of stating positively, the number taught gratis, at any of the branches; but that it might not be irrelevant to state, that one of the laws for the branches, provided for refunding to each student, one year's salary for each year he might be engaged in teaching primary schools, until the whole should be refunded.

That it appeared there had been employed during the year, at the branches at Pontiac and Kalamazoo, each one principal, at a salary of $1,200; at Detroit, Monroe, Tecumseh and Niles, each, one principal and one assistant, the salary of the principals being as follows: at Detroit, $1,500 a year; at Monroe, $1,300; at Tecumseh and Niles, each $1,200. In the branch at White Pigeon there appeared to have been employed. one principal, one tutor, and one assistant tutor; the principal at a salary of $1,200. The assistants and tutors received from $300 to $600 a year. In the female department of the branch at Monroe, two, and at Tecumseh and Niles, one each.

The total salaries for the year amount to $10,300. Receipts of tuition estimated at $2,460. The balance of estimated tuition fees amounted to $2,348 33, to be reimbursed to the Board of Regents. The committee also reported that at the first establishment and organization of the branches, a resolution was adopted by the Board of Regents, appropriating $1,000 for every branch in operation, to be divided and apportioned as follows: $500 to each one and the remaining $500 in proportion to the number of scholars. This rule did not however appear to have been adhered to. The committee

not having been so instructed, made no further recommendations or suggestions.

In the House, the committee to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message and report of Superintendent as relates to education, made a lengthy report through their chairman, Mr. William Sprague. They remark, that they have been led to believe that the imposition of all the fiscal duties connected with the educa tional fund, and the general care and superintendence of education itself, where one and the same obtain, is one of those defects which were connected with our generally excellent laws on this subject; that they were strengthened in this belief by the fact that both the former Executive officers of this State have brought the subject before the Legislature and recommended a change; and the committee believe such a change necessary because the duties themselves are incompatible with each other and because it was impossible to find the requisite qualifications for their performance united in one man; that let whoever may be called upon to fill the station, while the law remains as it is, it would be found that while the duties for which his habits and taste best fit him, may be well performed, the other duties imposed on him would be immeasurably neglected, and that it was not in the nature of things to be otherwise." Complaint is made in this report of the want of statistical knowledge; of the insufficiency of the returns, to show the state of education; that they did not show whether the teachers were male or female, good or poor, well or illy paid; whether the course of studies was wise or unwise; whether the government was tyrannical or parental; whether school houses were conveniently or inconveniently constructed; whether parents were interested in the education of their children and in the success of the schools or not. The committee believed that in no way could the Superintendent so well devote his time as to these subjects and to making the primary schools the object of his chief care. They also were in favor of introducing into the bill proposed on this subject, a provision that so far as concerned the sale of University lands-the investment of the proceedsthe Treasurer be required to act with the advice and consent of the Board of Regents.

The general legislation ou this subject remained unchanged. An

sot was passed approved April 13th, reducing the price of University lands and establishing it at fifteen dollars per acre, and the minimum price at not less than five dollars. An act was passed incorporating the Wesleyan Seminary, and also an act providing for the organization of a district in the city of Detroit for colored children. An act was passed to amend the revised statutes relative to primary schools. An amendatory act to the law of 1840, was passed in 1841, but without any other alteration of the system of taxation except that the electors of any township, at the annual meeting, might raise such sum of money for the support of common schools in their township as they shall deem expedient, provided that such sum did not exceed one dollar for each child in the township between the ages of five and seventeen years. A provision was enacted requiring the directors to ascertain the number of children between those ages, belonging to families habitually using the French, German or other language than the English, and the children attending the districts schools and the number of such, if any, attending schools where the schools books in any other than the English language are used; also the number of adults, above the age of seventeen, who can read the French, German or other language and cannot read the English, together with such other facts and statistics in regard to schools and the subject of education as the Superintendent might direct.

1842.

EXTRACT FROM GOVERNOR BARRY'S MESSAGE.

The universal education of all classes of our citizens is so necessary, and its propriety so generally conceded, that I need hardly urge upon you its importance. By reference to history we learn, and from observation we know, that, just in proportion as the masses have been enlightened, in the same proportion have their rights as men been protected. The rights of personal liberty and of personal security, were never conceded by lords to their vassals, until the latter, after ages of galling oppression and ignominious servitude, by degrees, obtained a hold on the fountain of knowledge.

The moral and political condition of a people depends, in the main, upon the degree of knowledge and amount of useful information diffused abroad among the mass. Within our own recollection, other republics have risen and fallen, and the scenes of intestine commotion which they have constantly exhibited, and which, sooner or later, have caused their overthrow, resulted from a want of general education, and the consequent destitution of virtue in their inhabi