Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-02-04

committee he felt it to be his duty TO examine The whole
common school law far other engagements would
permit, aud after that serious investigation which It's i'm
Portanee so much demands, has the conclusion
that general revision Of our common shoo system
would not only be entirely impraciicabe the present
session Of the Legislature but perhaps preudcia to the
interests Of common schools
II will be Tecolleced that during the session Of 1878
the common school law thoroughly revised Much
talent and labor employed In making this revision
The object was TO make the law plain full and eompre-
hensbe IL was given TO the people, trusting that
common schools would prosper rDder its operation Yet
il something Therefore il created much confu-
sion, as all new systems must especially when complex.
They had TO study and witness its practical operations
Many are now beginning 10 understand the law but un-
fortunately. maJoriy of those who have children
cate are bat partially acqusnted with the law and many
are wholly ignorant Of its provisions Create another
system and all the knowledge that has been acquired
WILL TO great extent be lost The people viii again be
thrown into great confusion as ever But when we
reflect upon the fact that there is much doubt whether
better system could be substituted in the place Of our
present we have additional argument and il should
be very powerful against revision Our experience
has logg since taught that slight defects in existing
systems had better be borne and productive of much
less evil to the community than perpetual legislative
tons Il cannot be expected that this Legislature could
enact common school law which would be perfect all
its prOvsiOnsa law that would the appreciation and
harmonize the action Of our citizens The population Of
Indiana composed Of persons not only from everv part
Of the UnOn but also from various foreign countries Il
IS natural for these different inhabitants bring with
them the peculiar customs and habits Of their nativity
and TO manifest through fe some prediction for
Them Hence the diversity Of opinion and the discord
among the people the subject Of common schools and
which must continue exist until time association and
other influences cousre to assimae the aud feel
Tags OF our diversified population TO common system.
Aud although the elements among US at this time
SOME what dscorjan yet is highly gratifying to reflect
that account Of the wide range which they embrace
when they are ultimately brought to harmonic, they will
establish for the best and broadesi foundation for a
TEN of common schools perhaps in the world For in
word, system would include the practical advantages
Of all other systems.
From experience and a careful review of the school
systems cf New York. Rhode Island Massachusetts, and
other States the undersigned is satisfied that there much
less defect IN the provisions OF school law
than in its administration. The defective administration
would seem TO arise chiefly from the following causes
VIZ; Ignorance of the provisions Of the law the absence
Of penalties, compelling school officers discharge their
duties incompetent teachers =; and pecunary inability
and embarrassment
1t is confidently hoped that should the bill herewith
reported become law under its operation the first three
causes enumerated would in a great degree be removed
The bill provides Superintendent in each county, whose
duty will be to explain the law instruct the officers
teachers and inhabitants what their respective duties
to recommend the most enlightened method Of teaching,
and the best Of constructing common school houses
Who doubt If this be done, but that the ignorance
and indifference which unfortunately prevails in so many
sections Of our country the subject of education will
disappear, and instead thereof knowledge of their duty
and vital interest in the subject be manifested We
cannot expect this knowledge grow up the people of
its own accord. There must be agents duse and i'm
press IT, And unless the Legislature provides 10y law for
the creation Of such agents will never have thera II
is unreasonable to suppose that Unauthorized and
without compensation, would the discharge of
this Office. Such would be anomaly; for
no such example is furnished by any other department
busness.
The Ofires of district and township trustees are not
profitable, and sometimes still thankess, and in
sequence often avoided and, perhaps often very
sackly periormedi hence the necessity for penalties
compelling citizens 10 accept these Offices and TO discharge
their duties.
The hope Of reward has always been powerful incen-
tive for action The incompetency of common school
teachers is of complaint all over the State The
undersigned conceves CT but way remedy this
great evil, which is, 10 excite sudabe ambition among
the teachers by the promise Of reward the faith
full Ii this be done, instead Of the office of
school teacher being refuge for oilers and Ioafers
it is the in many instances this Office will be
filed with the vruous and talented of the country.
The pecunary inability and embarrassment above aIud-
ed to- Ct the defective administration Of the
school law ii is feared beyond the power Of
legislation to Some suggest however that the
Legislature should levy for the support Of common
schools and in support Of this doctrine refer the New
England and other States prove the beneficial influence
which tax has had in improving the character of COM
mon schools Those who take this view forget that the
inhabitants of the old States have been accommodating
wealth for the last fifty hundred years whereas ma.
Jory Of the inhabitants of this State poor and have
just settled II country where they have
a forest to clear from the very soil Of which they
must make their bread Others again suggest that law
should be passed withholding from those districts their
dividends of the school money. which would raise
equal By tsvaon. Whilst the wealthy districts OF
the State might be benefited by this law its operation on
the poor districts would deprive them of their piance Of
the public money Of their inability raise
similar amount by taxation Such a law would not only
be unwise, but 1t would be extremely unchariable and
oppressive Those who entertain any idea of the passage
of such law would do well the length of the
delinquent list Of land which annually returned for
payment Of taxes law taxing the people for the sup
port of schools would not, this lime, meet
their appTcbaoD and there other reason this
would make it uawise 10 enact it. The people, through
the agents Of their choice administer the laws of this
country. And therefore, those laws, which they
opposed are always inecienty administered
peaed by their authority. The cause Of education and
tie improvement Of common schools in this STATE must
depend upon moral influence than upon legislative
enactmens. The mind must be deeply impressed
with the importance of the subject Parents be
WINGED that the happiness of their offspring, and the we'll
being of society depend upon their moral and Intellectual
culture. 1t may appear strange 10 many, why some
parents show little anxiety the subject of educating
their children. Ii is by means owing a want of
aclion il is because their minds diverted from this
subject by their struggles and toll to provide for
them the necessary food and clothing However poor the
parent that parents child is nearer the heart than all
other obi cts Parental affection is not the product Of
wealth. II grows with much luxuance in the humble
cot does in the marble palace. How often have we
witnessed the undying attachment for children where
not solitary comfort of life smiled upon the wretched
domic Whatever the circumstances, parental love is
the strongest cord that binds the human heart Let us
them enlist this affection of parent for offspring in the
Of education, and all that we shall then want is
time with Its productive powers, to augment wealth
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