Coldwater

Tliia is not a temporalice article as ita liead implies but a brief descripton of the pretty little city of Coldwater, where the State Press Association was hospitably entertained last week. Some four hundred editors, thelr wlves, and dauffhters were taken care of t'or the two daya of the meeting and nothing was spared to make thelr stay an enjoyable onc. An account of the papers read will not especially interest our readers, so we will content ourselvea with a glimpse of the Stati Public School and the famous Lewis Art Gallery, the latter of especial interest to the people ofthis community, since in the nc:ir future it is to be brought to the University. Michigan people have reason to feel proud of their Public School for homeless little orphans, for it was the flrst one ever started and its success is evinced by the fact tliat othcr states and countrics are founding similar institutions modelled after this one. It is finely situnted on a risc of grouud and has about it a farm of 125 acres, fiom which it procures many necessarles, such as milk, berries, garden produce, etc. Here are gathered the little waifs from all over tliu stute froin two to slxteen years of agc. They are taken care of and taoght and rivoii correct ideas. But this is uot the mala purposo, that being to provide good homes for them among the people of the state who will take them to ruise. Last year 194 were received; 32 were adopted, some died, some were married, some restorcd to relatives and 220 indentured. The average number belongIng during tlie year was 301, and the expenses of the institution were $32,911.55. There is a Kindergarton for the wee ones and three otlier grades of study in reading, writing, arithmetic, drawing, singing, spelling, etc., etc., for the older scholars. In these studies they show as rapid progress as do those in our city schools, and because of the watchfulness over them their conduct will compare very favorable with that of many froin the best of our families, and often times even to the discredit of the latter. Our large-hearted ex-Governor, the late John J. Bagley, gave to the school $2,000, so that the income therefrom might provide a Mt-rry Christmas for the poor little ones. The state is doing well to sustain this School and many are now leading honorable, self-supporting lives, who but for this harbor of refuge might now be wrecks, crimináis or convicts. The most interesting thing in Coldwater to a resident of Vashtenaw is the Lcwïs Art Gallery, whlch has been willed to the university. Mr. Lewis was a man of considerable means, and during the last tifteen years of his Ufe, he colleoted the pictuies and statuary mostly from Europe. The collection has 723 pieces, eompo8ed of paintings on wood, porcelain and canvas; marbles, bronzes, ïimsaics, engravings, and figures in terra cotta and alabaster. There are 561 oil paintings, composed of copies from the oíd masters, portraits, original paintings of modern artists, and, what is considered the best of all, the work of living afttai of Tiote. The gallery, which originilly cost over $200,000 is now worth more than that, and when itis brought to Aun Arbor a good ílre-proof building sh Lild be erected for it. Then, with the Itindolph Hogers' collection, the University of Michigan bids fair to become an important art centre of the Northwest. It certainly aflwrds a better opportunity for art study, than any otlier place west of New York city. Several of the millers of the city, it is reported, are talking about contesting the right of the city to tax their property because the water from whii-h they obtain their power runs through Ann Arbor town, and the railroads, tuking away much of their product?, also run through A 11 n Arbor town, and some of the wheat uscd by them was grown in Ann Arbor town. As the milis derive but llttle of their revenue from the citj' it would seem as though their position was quite as tenable as is that of the Ann Arbor Wuter Co. that proposes to slide out of paying its tax In the city, from whence it derives all of its income, because of a decisión of 8ome judge or other away off soinewhere. republican meeting to be held in this city next Wednesd.iy, June 16th, will be of espceial interest to onr farmer friends, as both of the gentlemen to speak are themselves farmers. Hon. Cyrus G. Luce is probably the best known farmer in Michigan, and Hon. Geo. A. Smith is not far beliuxl in prominence. Both are practical farmers, and will gire a talk from the farmers1 standpoint that will be worth hearing. Come every one and hear these two gentlemen discuss sotne of the Hm politicul issues of the day. At the Cold water meeting of editora last week one of the pioneer journalisU related how forty years ago, he would go around the country and gather together a load of rags to haul to the A mi Arbor paper mili to exchange for paper. The trip would take four days going and returning. Truly ¦ Times have changed slnce Uien, And lifu'sa dlfrorent thing."