Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-12-06

On this subject. previous Legislatures have been
cropping their way in the dark. Indeed other mat
ters. supposed 10 be Of more immediate interest
have swallowed up every thing else which did not
At least apparently connect itself with the momen
/ tcus questions which were exciting the hopes and
exercising the energies of men looking only to the
accomplishment OF their stUpendous projects.
While millions were layshed. ave, wasted, on mea-
which have literally crushed us, the less ex-
citing subject Of common schools has been almost
/ forgotten But let It be remembered that may
construct canals and railroads, and foster commerce.
and cherish our agricultural interests, and secure
advantageous markets, and may obtain all that these
various objects are capable of accomplishing. and
yet, by neglectng that moral and intellectual cul-
ture which is the result OF an efficient system Of
education the very foundations of our social and
political institutions may be rottng and Wondering
beneath u.
III. Auditor of State has bestowed some atten-
ton the condition of the school funds during the
past year ; not tina, there is any law imposing such
duty bat merely with view to enable the Exec
uiive to point the Legislature to the necessity of
giving the subject a most thorough considerations
circular was addressed to the varions county
Auditors. Answers have been received from fifty
eight counties, and are, IN many Instances, neces-
sarlly defective. The returns from portion Of the
counties show their school funds to be well man
aged. in others they may be safe, bat the accounts
are I'D 50 much confusion, that correct opinion
can be formed. In some cases the whole fund has
been totally, irretrievably lost.
The result OF the Investigations prosecuted BY the
Auditor Of State VIII be laid before YOU and Will
exhibit much valuable matter. Where no answer
"'s o1'u received rom county sueh o'heF
1 - nav, PC" 'eS"r'e" 70 d
''e 80 "oP'0u " VIC purpose " OotdlD!hs
the data requisite Tor the presentation of general
statement OF the various matters connected with
this most important subject. The following par
tlculars, CLEANED from the Auditors report, not
ohiy interesting Out VIII ehaOe the Legislature TO
uuge OF me value OF eur school fund and the neces-
arty o. iu'tiel invest, s"'lonS
ne amount o. surplus revenue d'stIo-
u'Gu l" the neEe"t counties - st[3','do
uiD9 '"eu i'o" s'c o' sc"ooI iaHuS I'!u2'o99
' d4uc Vi u"soIu 'a"es 4<o,9o<
-
iO'1' '"'u7 u sCOo' 'uHu o. t"iS STATE s@<04'o9'
interest on Inc aoo'e sum- LOT the last
yca' SliO,29c
interest uisIf'Outcd 9l4"o
Unaccounted Tor S5l,s62
II appears, rom the report OF the Auditor that
the number OF children having right to be admit
ted to our schools IS estimated to be 237, lib.
1t is also stated that the whole number who were
in school during the past year II 100 leaving
/ l%0,6IS children who were not sent 10 school
during any part OF the year.
The number Of school districts in the State is set
down at 100, and the school houses at 3, l5l.
One matter contained in the report OF the auditor
requires particular attention. During seven years,
from le;2 to 1888 inclusive, the yalIe OF the lands
returned by the collectors OF the counties for the
non-plyment OF taxes, and appropriated by law TO
the benefit OF schools, Is sos O46 The sum return
ed by the school commissioners OF twenty-five coun-
Ties, as having Oeen collected on account OF these
lands, including penalties and interest, is Sl3,UOo
% Ear as SHOWN, nothing seems 20 nave Oeen de-
rived IRON THIS source IN the remaining counties,
leaving uncolected S1i,446.
mere must nave been more than this amount re-
aIz 'd taking INTO consideration The heavy penalty
ana interest Imposed IN such cases. lie only evl-
dence Of payments by dehnqnents Is the receipts
gwen 10 them by the school commissioners. his
constitutes the only check but 1t would be wrong
10 cast censnre, merely because these accounts are
confused ana unsatisfactory. his IS not intended.
The above instance is merely referred to, for the
purpose OF directing the attention OF the Legislature
10 inc defects OF the entire system, and to show the
necessity OF imposing proper checks and requiring
the frequent exhibition OF all accounts relating 10
'".Sj iuhus' al slaleu intervals
W III reference 10 specific recommendation on
TINS SUBJECT, can only cay To the Legislature that,
involved as Is the condition oil our school funds, ana
indeed the whole subject, no better suggestion oc-
ours to my mlnd' or more HNeiy TO De followed by
Vaiuaoe results enan u ihVIle your earnest atIen
ton TO inc ''sN % '''o llou" "nu
u'''oh o. lu'u' 1''u NJ W, " o'!ue'
through IN 80 ~ -. -
VI '''1S1 r'...- -, I,
10 SUM '"' - 'oi'.''' ''', ''
whoe Stounu souIu u ciie'u'iy cN'.i.'Iu aliu -
extent oi o'' -! ' " ~ 'f'0
OF determining WIN "'H''''''t' mcdus die "cCcssaI!
to imPaTt lie ana elc'ency 10 our common school
system an" go I'm ~ "C''O " >" '' ''
been unaer the uest ulrcclcd eHorts nut chaos ana
confusion It, however viii accomplish but little
to direct enquiries win we" % ascertain INC pre-
I n I at "a