Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27
State Educational Convention,

gentlemen participated.
Mr.. D. NJ. Kelsey afterwards presented the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved, That committee Of three be appointed
to draft plan for the organization Of State Educa-
tional Society with rules and regulations for the
government Of the same and suggest the establish
ment of auxiliary societies in the several counties.
The resolution after discussion was adopted, and
Messrs. Kelsey, Benton and Burnham were ap-
pointed committee to draft the constitution.
On motion, the Convention then adjourned to
meet IN the Hall OF the House of REPRESENTATIVES at
half past six O'Clock, p. M.
The Convention assembled pursuant to adjourn
ment, half past 6 O'Clock.
Mr.. Benton on behalf of the committee appointed
to drafts Constitution, made the following report,
CONSTITUTION.
ART. l.
This association shall lie styled the t.Educational
Convention Of Iowa.o
Its object shall be to promote by every laudable
means the diffusion Of knowledge IN regard to edu-
caiion anc especially to aid in establishing and per-
petuating system Of common school instruction
in this State.
SECTION 1. shall be composed OF the teachers
and friends OF education Of the State of Iowa and
of five delegates from each of the auxiliary socie-
ties, who shall have signed this Constitution,
Nv
Convention at any regular meeting.
ART. ~.
SEC. l. The officers shall be President. two
Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Cores
ponding Secretary and Treasurer. who, shall con-
stitute a Board of Directors.
SEc.2 The President shall preside over all its
deliberations, which duty shall be performed in his
absence by the Vice President pro ten,.
Sec }. The Recording Secretary Shall give no.
uee OF ar meetings, Keep regular record of their
proceedings and have charge the archeses of the
Convention.
SEC. a. The corresponding Secretary shah be
the organ of communication with other societies
and individuals, wien required by the Directors, or
vote Of the Convention.
SEC. 5. The Treasurer shall be by virtue Of his
Office Corresponding Secretary. lie shall receive
and dlSburse all moneys belonging to the Conven-
ton, and make report thereof at each annua!
meeting.
SEC. 6. The President, Vice President, Record
ing Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annu-
ally by ballot.
SEC. 7. The Board of Directors shall see that
due notice is given of oil meetings and shall trans
act such business, when the convention is not in
session, as may tend to promote its general
interests and convene special meetings if neces-
sary.
There shall be society formed in each of the
several counties of this State auxiliary this Con-
vention, under such regulations they may adopt,
WHICH may appoint nVe QecSateS each, 10 attend the
annual meetings of the Convention.
ART. vi.
SEC. l.. BYLAWS for the government OF the Con-
vcntionn accordance with this Constitution may be
adopted at any regular meeting.
SEC. 2. The first regular meeting Of this Con-
vention shall be held in the city of Burlington on
the first Wednesday in October next, and annually
thereafter at such place majority of its mem
bers may determine.
SEC. 3. This Constitution may be amended at
any regular meeting by majority of two thirds of
the members present.
The foregoing report was discussed section by
section, and after careful and thorough considera-
ton adopted.
Mr.. A. II. Palmer then arose to explain some of
the remarks made by him during the discussions of
the afternoon session; and expressed himself
strongly in favor Of the progress Of the Of
cation.
On motion of DR.. Clark, committee of three was
appointed to report suitable persons to fill the Off
ces specified in the foregoing constitution. There
upon the Chair appointed Mcssrs. Benton, Smith and
Clark said committee.
The Rev. Mr.. salter, then offered the following
resolutions, viz;
Resolved that the subject Of education has the
highest claims upon the most studous and enligt-
ened regard of the General Assembly, and nas.nuch
the present school law of this State is defective
that it be recommended TO the Assembly TO prepare
new law at as early date practicable.
Resolved, That the subject Of education is so far
above all questions which divide the community in
to political parties and religious sects, that it should
never be connected with them either in the princi-
pies upon which it shall be promoted, or, in the
persons to whom the care Of its interests shall
entrusted.
The first OF these resolutions excited consiicra-
bic discussion, during which DIR. Clark offered the
following substitute, viz:
Resolved That it is the earnest desire of this
Convention that previous to the adjournment Of the
present General Assembly, all defects existing in
the present school law be remedied, new school
law be enacted,
After discussion Of this substitute, VIM. Penn
Clark presented the following, viz
Resolved that the Chair appoint committee of
five, whose duty il shall be to wait upon the school
committees of the General Assembly, and represent
the views OF this Convention, In framing general
school law.
On motion Of Mr.. Bangs these resolutions were
laid upon the able, and the following gentlemen
were appointed committee to draft resolutions
expressive Of the sentiments of the Convention,
viz Messrs. Bangs, Benton Davis, Salter, and Pal
mcr. On motion, Ex-Governor Lucas and Rev.
Mr.. Bnrnham were added TO said committee,
DIR. Clark from the committee appointed 10 report
officers for the educational Convention Of Iowa.
presented the following:
For Presidcnt--T. II. BENTON, Jr.
Vice Prcsidcnts-M. d. BROWNING,
d. A. MAHONY,
Sccretary--A. J. HEUSTIS,
MISUNDERSTANDING II. McCRAY.
The report was accepted, and the officers recon-
mended therein, were elected.
On motion of Col. Benton, the Convention adj
iourned to meet in DR.. Woods Church on Friday
the 18th inst. at two O'Clock, NJ.
TWO O'CLOCK,
The Convention assembled pursuant to adjourn
ment. Ex-Gov. Lucas in the Chair.
Mr.. Bangs from tie committee resolutions,
presented the following, viz:
Resolved, That education is the foundation of our
republican institutions; that il is sebject which
deeply engrosses the attention OF the people of this
state at the present time; and in the opinion Of this
Convention, it is confidently expected by the peo-
pie that this subject will receive the earliest and
! most earnest attention Of the General Assembly.
Resolved, That it is the earnest desire Of this
Convention that the General Assembly Should pre-
yious to its ad ournmcnt, revise the present school
| law or enact new one,
Resolved, That as the report Of the Superintcnd-
ent of Public Instruction, contains valuable sugces
relative TO the defects existing in the school law.
and also highly important recommendations touch-
ing the subject Of education, is the desire of this
Convention that said Superintendent be invited to
| read 10 this Convention those portions of said
report bearing upon said defects, and containing
| SAID recommendations.