Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-06-10

Rev. Mr.. DAILY OF Jefferson, moved TO strike
out from the resolving clause and insert plan sub
mitted BY him
Mr. DIS. plan was in brief TO recommend to the
people that they organize by counties and districts,
and form for themselves system of education obtain
an act of the Legislature Incorporating Board Of
Education for every county, which should thus adopt
a system for ITSELF This board Of education was 10
be endowed with all the necessary powers to carry out
the system by means Of taxation. For every coun-
ty thus taxing ITSELF for its own education, the Stale
should be required to build additional school houses,
that might be required, and furnish the necessary
books &C., besides providing general suPerintend-
ant.
Mr.. DAILY, advocated his amendment at consider
able length. He believed the people sufficiently APP
preciated the benefits Of educatiOno submit to tax
alton accomplish it. They might rebel, he said,
against tax levied TO dig canals through mountains,
or erect rail roads through the wilderness, but they
would cheerfuy testify their regard for the inestima-
bic advantages of education by taxing themselves to
secure them.
He was unwilling to wait on the tardy mo. ements
of the Legislature to perfect system. The people
should form their own, and demand of their Legisla-
ture security by legal ennctmeht.s
| Mr. ID. had no hesitation in saying he expressed
the sentiments of the people, for he had just up
from them, and knew tLeirwishes.
Mr.. G. G. NAVE, called for division of the
question
Mr.. BUTLER remarked that although he was
member of the committee BY whom the resolution un-
der consideration had been reported and had been the
Organ of The committee in presenting the resolution
the. convention. yet in The committee he had been
and Still opposed to the sesouton, in the form
IN which it was reported. The Convention is COM
posed of the people Of the State assembled under the
call of the Legislature to express the opinions of
members upon the subject Of common schools. Thet
he prepared to express opinion in favor of
making common schools free schools, where, in the
language Of the Constitution, tuition should be gratis.
He would not however vote for the plan proposed by
Mr. Daley. The Convention will have too little time
10 mature plan in all its detas--that we should
best accomplish the object Of the Convention by ex-
pressing opinions what ought be the gen.
era principles of system Of common schools, and
leaving the details committee to be appointed.
proposed by another resolution reported by the
mttee. In conclusion, Mr.. Butler remarked, that il
the motion to strike out should prevail he purposed
Offering substitute resolution which he held in
his hand, and which he then read for the information
OF the Convention.
The then taken on striking out, and de-
, cded affirmatvely
Rev. Mr.. GOODE, of Putnam, moved to lay Mr.
Daily's substitute the table; which motion pre-
T vailed. .ss
Rev. Dir. SMOCK, moved so to amend the 4th reso.
utcn that vUe be taken of the people of the entire
State. nstoaaf the counties, separately, whether
tax for the $ppoH of free schools shall be levied
and in case m1urty of the voters of the State be
in favor of Snch tax, then provisions be made by law
for the assessment, collection and distribution thereof
Mr.. NAVE addressed tie convention at some
length IN favor Of the amendment. Special legisla
ton he said should always be avoided. 1t at
tended by too many evils 10 be encouraged in any
form. He considered the people ready for action OF
the subject. The whole matter should at once b,
brought directly before them. The people were il
advance of the Legislature.
Rev. Mr.. BALTIMORE, of Jennings, was opposed
to attempting to accomplish too much at They
would incur the danger of losing the confidence they
now have with the public.
Rev. Mr. M0NFORT, of Decatur, thought the evi
dence they had that the people throughout the State
was prepared for system founded taxation wa.
by no means conclusive. He believed the sentiments
kof the people should be better ascertained before
uniform system should be attempted. If the question
should be submitted to the different countless some
them would PROFESSIONALLY adopt the system proposed
They would have good influence ON the others
The improvement would progress and extend owe
those which at first refused to adopt it, Thus per
haps slowly but certainly surely, would the system
: be extended until it would embrace the whole State
He would, he said, greatly prefer movement of tn
entire State, could he be convinced that the peopl
!. were prepared for it,.
: Rev. Mr.. G0ODE objected to the amendment
= He thought the Convention. was so large and con
tanned delegates from every portion of the State,
approximation could be had to the sentiments of tn
= people. He was In favor of expressing definitely
: the Legislature the opinion Of the Conventions
. nothing should be left OPTIONAL but definite an
distinct expression should be given Let them be S
instructed as not to mistake the popular feeling, bu
come up to the Legislature prepared for prompt an
: decisive action
10 The Rev. MIR. FAIRCHILD, of Fountain, next ad
!, dressed the Convention in forcibe and ponte
. manner. Why, he inquired had the Conventio
\ assembled if it only to echo the voice of tn
people. Were there nothing for the Convention
: do but propose what the people want, the member
!. might have saved themselves rough and tediou
journey to the place of meeting. No, the friends
education have conferred together for the purpose
determining what the wants Of education are, an
: what the popular exigencies demand.
lie was opposed to proceeding by townships, dis
, trlcts. and countless when 1t should be by a gran
, and simultaneous State movement The interest an
honor of the State required uniform system. Ever
portion of the State interested in having ever
other part enlightened. Since it was the aggregat
C intelligence of the people that to give repuato
and character to the State and because again. thos
counties darkened with ignorance represented i
the Legislative Assemblies of the State, and thei
Representatives constantly called upon to decid
questions affecting the general welfare of the Who'll
4 State. Those Representatives will necessarily pal
; take OF the character of their constituents The
inherit their prejndices and must be entirely dest
tute OF the liberal and comprehensive views tha
f characterize the intelligent but will be governe
IN every public measure by their own ilhberal an
! contracted policy.
= How was this evil to be remeded! Only, he sale
by the establishment of public schools in every dis
rict in the State adequate TO supply all the educs
- tional wants of the whole people.
Another important reason, he observed, for prC
=, ceediDg at to legisate upon the subject was
"A consequence of the great disparity of wealth in tn
: various portions of the State. While some countie
and districts able to sustain free schools whot