Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-24
EDUCATION Convention.

with prayer BY the Rev. Mr. Cressv.s
The fifth resolution Of the committee, which related
to the appointment Of General Superintendent of
Common Schools, was reported. The convention pro-
ceeded to the consideration of said resolution
MIR. AhES moved that the resolution be so amend
ed that the superintendent should be elected by the
people of the State at large, at the annual election ;
which was seconded.
JAMES RARIDEN, Esq, supported the amend
ment with some happy and forcible remarks. He
had, he said, confidence in the honesty, irteg
fy, and purity of purpose in the people than in the
Legislature. With the people, the primary object
will be to promote general intelligence. With the
politician, that would be but secondary considera-
ton. He would vote for the candidate who could
best advance his interest," without reference to
his qualifications for the Office. The people have
personal considerations to consult. The politician
wishes to keep his place. and advance his claims for
popular preferment, and consequently has main object
would be 10 concale stronger influences, and bring
to hIs assistance additional agencies that would in
return most benefit him, and strengthen his popular
lty. Persons connected with politics lose all personal
independence. They cannot 90 counter to the party
TO which they belong; if they do, they are immed-
atey regarded traitors to their party and country
Should they fail In supporting any of the
choice candidate Of their party, they would be dis
carded and disowned 1t required personal independ-
ence and moral courage, such few politicians Of
the day possess, TO break through the party disep-
few that do are victmized, and their political death
warrant is Immediately sealed.
The Office Mr.. K. said. is one of great Importance
competent person should be selected and he pre-
ferred that the election should be kept free and wholly
unncumbered by partisan interest and State politics
Ii was more important to the people who should be
superintendent than who should be Governor; for it
affected interests that were progressive and the re.
suit would be continually developing for good or evil
as long as the system remained.
DIR. WYLlE advocated the election Of superiniend-
ent by the people in characteristics and eloquent
speech, of which no abstract would do Justice 60 The
original.
Mr.. J. II. HENRY, of Vigo, then moved to ameud
by striking all out after the word sResolved, and
inserting the following:
THAT we recommend to the Legislature the cleo
ton Of State Superintendent of epmmsB schoeIssby
the people Of the State arthe annual elections whose
duty 1t shall be to attend to all matters pertaining to
the interest Of common schools; Introduce the best
methods OF teaching; encourage the employment of
teachers who are well qualified in respect to moral
character, learning aud ability; recommend suitable
textbooks; visit schools aud make known their true
condition and wants. advise with the friends Of edu-
cation, and report to the Legislature The most ap-
proved measures to improve our common school sys-
tenn; watch over the management, safe-keeping and
disbursement of the school moneys; deliver public
addresses; and to the best Of his ability promote the
cause of sound practical education ,, =. *
Ia
superintendent He contended that such an officer
would belong to some one Of the political parties, or
to one of the many religious denominations, and
would exercise the advantage his position would give
hm to favor the party sect to which he belonged.
The Office was too easily perverted to secaran par
talties preudices, and the evils consequent there
on OF so serious and lncurabe character, that the
very possibility of their occurrence should be assdu-
ousy avoided. He fur;hir considered such an Office
not only dangerous and susceptible of great peryer-
sion, but as wholly unnecessary; the duties Of such
an officer coulv be discharged as efficiently and cra-
tuitousy BY district superntendents. Mr.. L. stated
that New York and several other States had adopted
free school systems, without State superintendent
and argued from such instances that State supcrin-
endents were not necessary for the successful opera
ton of the system.
He, Mr.. L., said, however, if such an Office is to
be created, he would unhesatingly give his prefer
ence for filling the Office by the people, rather than
by the Legislature.
Mr.. HENRY said he regarded this resolution re-
commencing State Superintendent to be elected bv
the people, of the greatest Importance to TIE
improvement OF our common schools. 1t has been
remarked by gentleman who had lust taken his SCI
that he regarded such measure the death of Il
common schools, but with all due Difference to his az
and experience regard it, said Mr.. H.. as the lie
OF them. Our school system wants dniu6trn aud
direction; and superintendent of pre-eminent rloral
and intellectual will give himself
new life and energy and efficient action to our School
system.
This convention - assembled for the purpose Of
promoting education, ~ slpla<ly to put forth a
united effort for the improvement OF our common
schools The educational wants of the State are
great, very great. There only thirty-six pei
hundred OF the children and youth in Indiana from
i've to twenty-one years of age, who are receiving
instruction IN our common schools, leaving near two
ehrds oil them destitute of all opportunities for edu
cation. Fhe voice of more than two hundred thou
sand children and youth comes up 10 us calling fol
schools; and hear the voice of near hundred ant
fifty thousand more calling for better schools Shal
they call in vain. II is the desire of the friends
education that the rising gensssess one and all
shall receive the inestimabe advantages of early anC
correct instruction. 1t the decree of its Creator
written upon the immortal mind that the right tC
education Is as natural and inaenaSae as the riph
to freedom Where is the man who would daprve
freeman of the right Of suffrages Yet a1}shtts-6,
instructed IN all that makes the man and freeman,
not less sacred or less important.
VIII our present school system accomplished higl
AN object! VIII 1t fit the rising generation for The
ordinary duties Of life! Indiana cannot long main
tam her present position. She and she will 90
forward IN the work of universal popular education
And how shall she do lit Do as other States have
done; establish head which shall wisely direct ans
give energy and action to her school system. STATE
superintendent with county superntendents to asss
him, will be the main spring of action.
have but little choice between the original reso
luton and the amendment. prefer the amendment
as 1t sets forth more fully the duties of superintend
enti but whether the apendment- shsA be-adopted O
not, still | shall be ia favor sfthe resolution.
While am on the floor, said Mr.. H., allow me
Mr. President, to reply to what consider with al
due Difference, the uncaed for remarks of two an
only two gentlemen against the Legislature for hav
mr. U0fO1f ho