Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-07-30
For the Indiana STATE Sentinel
Common schools and our school Laws.

IL Is painful, IN passing throOgh te oIate VI ihu'-
ana to hear the complaints of the people the sub
iec of our school laws. The Importance Of education
is every where admitted; but such Is the system
adopted by Legislature for dispensing the funds,
that instead of blessing, they arc proving curse;
instead of advancing, the cause OF education Is there
by retarded But Notwithstanding all this, 1t Is con-
soatory to hear and read the beautiful things which
are said by our great in audation of our system
of free schools not ii is to be presumed, on account
of the benefits which have resulted to as, but because
free schools have done much in other States
Either our system of laws on this subject, or the
people are at fault.
1t is therefore the object of this communication TO
show where the fault lies.
Our laws this subject are every where admitted
TO be defective. The Legislature have again and
again endeavored to remedy them, but every attempt
has only involved them in greater ObScurlty. Why
is this! Have our leading men no knowledge Can
not the Of the failure be asceriained and RENE
died Gov. Bigger made the subject of common
school education standing article In his messages;
and Gov Whltcomb was, by some, censured last win
ter for not doing likewise. Not only the importance
of education, but the defects of system Of laws
on this subject continually adverted TO by Gov.
Bigger In his message Of 1912, he says: "Whie
great deal has been spoken, written and eglslated
in reference 10 schools, very little that is
practicable has been accomplished Our school laws
of COM licated statutory provisions, pre-
senng difficulties to the disciplined legal mind which
are almost insuPerable to the ordinary citizen. The
machinery Of the system is entangled and inter-
woven with burdensome provisions and qualifications,
and the sooner these remedied by plain legal pro-
visions, and the substitution of simpler organization
Of district Schools the speedily Will advance
IN the cause" When this message was delivered,
Gov. Bigger was employed, connexion with Geo.
IL. Dunn to revise the laws of the State, with liberty
to suggest such amendments and alterations In any
OF said statutes, and to propose such additional
as he might deem proper" 1t therefore TO be
expected from the strong repeated and definite Ian
guage of the Governor that this subject at least, would
receive from him passing notice; but if rumor
be relied on, the revision of these very laws excu
svely committed TO Mr.. Dunn, who by changing at
times the language of the old law, which
what redundant, but plain and consistent thereby
changed Its meaning, and by introducing numerous
crude interpretations, inconsistent with other parts
produced, not revision of the old laws but hotch
Poch of jargon, nonsense and incongruy the paerni
I ty of which will envy him, receiving as the
journals of last winter will Show round sum of
money for his luminous production. And now, in
stead OF only presenting difficulties TO the disciplined
legal mind almost nsuperable the bare attempt of the
abest jnrist in the State to reconcile Its parts, would
be sufficient evidence of his insanity.
Il In this condition the law If such il may be called,
now appears to be enjoying quiet repose-no dis
position being manifested to interfere with IT. since
in the absence of other mysteries it furnishes exer
else to the minds of those who have nothing else to
do, in endeayors to reconcile its parts.
The people in silent despair have given up all hope
the subject and only wish in general that the laws
were entirely repealed, and that they might have the
privilege of educating their children with their own
means.
Although the school funds are inconsiderable, yet
they well worth renewed efforts, TO secure their
application in such manner will aid the people IN
the education of their children.
Having noticed the progress of the law IN its last
metamorphosis, the object will be to point out
few OF the more prominent reasons of Its failure to
Il A Al l..
Its parts is inconsistent but this could be remeded
The fault lies in the system. If the whole law
so plain that "a way-faring although fool,
should not therein yet would it fail Of its object.
The physician always pescrbes with reference TO tho
idiosyncrasy of his patient So In making laws re-
gard must be had TO the manners, CUSTOMS preudces
and peculiarities of those for whom egislate In
new States where the people umbed together from
every nation under heaven, every thing is unstable
and unsettled and generation at least must pass
away before new State puts on the characteristics of
nationality. II is for this reason that law which
operates well in an old State, will not always, like
some species of plants trees, bear transpanting
This is the case with present school system. 1t
is not an Indigenous, but exotic production. Ii
may have operated well in tie old States where every
thing is settled and regular; it has not operated we'll
here and cannot till the present generation has pass
ed away and not then, till the present amount of the
funds has been greatly increased.
Another, and the primary cause of the failure of
this system is, the small amount realized from the
constant labor of keeping in motion the cumbrous and
complicated machinery of its parts like the Indians
gun, it costs than it to- The people might
bear inroads upon their habts-they might submit
the numerous conditions, restrictions and drudgery of
the system, If thereby any proportonate benefits were
to accrue, but submit to ALTO have their private
means conolled by the law, teachers forced them
without their consent, all the ties of friendship,
sanguinity, and affinity, crushed by the iron heel of
the law in the formation of distcts be forced
impossible rivers hills ravnes morasses and swamps,
district school house, and all for the sake of sixty
seventy cents per scholar per year, too intocra
bic.
The next communication upon this subject will con-
tain some hints as to the proper remedy for the pres
ent condition of things. ii.
Tar fBs Ja5;o,, o..