Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-01-09
DUBUQUE, IOxvA, JANUARY 8. 1s49.

" lag NJ Nv u 9 - IAN u "A
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State Educational Conventional
The Convention met at two o'clock on Thurs.
day, ?. M. 18th inst, in the Hall of the House
of Representatives, and was cal led to order bv
Col. Benton, Superintendent of Public Instrut.
ton.
! Upon motion Of Mr.. Benton, Ex-Governor
LUCAS was appointed President Messrs.
GooDRELL and BAKER, Vice Presidents, and
Messrs. BANGS and Cook, Secretaries.
After the Organization, Mr.. Benton stated
the obj ects of the meeting, and invited all to
participate in its discussions.
The venerable President then favored tn ,
Convention with highly valuable and interest
ing rem arks upon the subject Of popular edu-
cation. After which the Superintendent of
Public instruction was called upon to specify
the defects existing in the present schoo law
in order that the Convention might take tn o
same under consideration. In compliance
with this request, Col Benton proceeded in a
brief manner to rcca pitulate the principal de-
fccts enumerated in his Report to the Legisla.
ture. An interesting discussion then took
place in whic h sevcra gentlemen participated
Mr.. D. M. Kelsey afterwal DIS presented the
following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee of three be ap-
PoIltcu 70 IRA IL u pan LOT tne organization OF
a State Educa tional Society, with rules and
regulations for the government of the same,
and suggest the csta bishmcnt Of auxiliary So
cietics in the several counties.
The resolution, after discussion, was adopt
cd and M essrs. Kelsey, Benton, and Burnham
were appointed committee to draft the con-
sttuton.
On motion, the Convention then adourre ed
to meet in the Hall Of the House of Kcpresen.
| ia fiveS at ha If ct CT clo
The Convention assembled pursuant to i'd
journment, half past o'clock
| Mr.. Ben ton, on behalf of the committee M
pointed to draft Constitution, ma de the fol-
lowing report:
CONSTITUTION.
This associations shall be styled tho "Educa.
.ional Conve ntion Of Iowa"
ART. II.
Its objcct shall be to promote bv CIV cry laud.
able means the diffusion Of knowledge in re-
gard to education, and especially to aid in es.
abshlng and pcrpctuating system Of com.
mon school instruction in this State.
ART. III.
SEC. l. 1t shall be composed of the teachers
and friends of cducation of the State of Iowa,
and of five delegates from ca CHI of tho auxllia.
! y oo'>''N". wiz SHALL Lay T. siS hCd lHlS IOnSLl
| tuition.
Sec 2 Honorary members may be elected by
the Convention ut any regular meeting.
ART.
SEC: !. The officers shall be President, two
Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, Cor.
respod'ng Secretary and Treasurer, who shall
constitute Board Of Directors
Sec 2. The President shall preside over a II
its deliberations, which duty shall be perform
ed in his a bsencc l'y the Vice President pro tenn
SEC j. The RGSordng Secretary sha give
notice OF all meetings, keep a regular record
OF their procc ;dihgs, and have charge of the
archives of the Convention.
SEC The corresponding Secretary shall
be the organ Of communication with other so
clet'es and individuals, when required by the
Directors, or aev vote of the Convention.
Sec. 5. The Treasurer shall he bv virtue OF
his Office Corresponding Secretary. He sha II
receive and disburse all moneys belonging to
the Convent on, and make a report thereof at
each annual meeting.
SEC. 6. The President, Vice President, Re
oordtng 5ecrctary and Treasurer shal be cleo
ted annually by ba llot.
SEC. 7. The Board of Directors shall sec tina,
due notice is given of all meetings and shall
transact such business, when the convention,
IS not IN session, as may tend to promote its
genera Interests: and convene special meetings
il nect ssary.
ART. V.
There shall be 4 society formed in ca CHI O
the several counties Of this State auxiliary tc
, this Convention, under such regulations as
they may adopt, which may appoint five dele
gates each, to attend the annual meetings O.
the Convention.
SEC l. bylaws for the government Of thu
Convention in accordance with this Constitu
ton may be adopted at any regular meeting.
SEC Z. The first regular meeting of this Con
vention shall be held ii the city of Burlng
ton on the first Wednesday in October next
and annually thereafter at such place as o
! majority Gifts members may determine.
SEC. 5. Inls Constitution may he amended
at any regular meeting by a ma jority Of two
thirds Of tho members present.
u The foregoing report was discussed section
{ by section, and after careful and thorough con
sideration was adopted
Mr.. A. Ii. Palmer then arose to explain some
Of the remarks made by him during the dis
cussions ofthe afternoon session; and express
ed himself strongly in favor Of the progress OF
: the cause Of education.
On molten ofDr. Clark, committee Of three
was appointed to report suitable persons to fill
the offices specified in the foregoing constitu.
ton. Thereupon the Chair appointed Messrs.
Benton, Smith, and Clark said committee.
The Rev. MIR. Salter then offered the ftl.
lowing resolutions, viz:
Resolued, That the subject of education has
the highest claims upon the most studious and
enlightened regard of the General Assembly,
and inasmuch as the present school law of this
State is defective that it recommended to the
Assembly to prepare new law at as carly a
date as practicable.
Resoloed, That the subject of education is
so far above all questions which divide the
community into political parties and religious
sects, that it should never be connected with
them, either in the principles upon which it
shall be promoted, or, in the persons to whom
the care Of its interests shall be entrusted
The first Of these resolutions excited consid-
cradle discussion, during which Dr. Clurk Of
fered the following substitute, viz:
Resolued, That it is tho earnest desire of
mis- Convention, that previous to the adjourn.
ment of the present General Assembly, all de.
fects existing in the present school law be re.
mcded, or new school law be enacted
After discussion of this substitute, VIM,
Penn Clark presented the following, viz:
RcSolred, That the Chair appoint a commit
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