New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-12
INDIANA.
Education-Lack of n Good System or Conn
mon schOols-Of Educators-Cause-Befter
Prospects ahead-Free schools, Objection
to-Nature and Tendency OF secret Orders.
coTespOndence OF The Tribune.

Correspondence
SHELBYvLLE, Ind, Thursday, Jan. Q.
The Early History of Indiana and her Constitu-
ton will show that her first settlers were men Of
talent and patrons of Education. They made
proper provisions in the Constitution for educating
every person in the State providing for the Gre
,ton Of Common Schools, County Seminaries, and
{, State University at Bloomington. Before the
State Government was organized township OF
land in Gibson Co. was granted for the support Of
said University. The sales Of said land have given
asOlid fund of $4,000, the interest Of which sup
ports the Seminary in energetic and regular oper-
alton. Every County in the State may send two
persons to the University, who may remain there
for two years, and be taught, free of charge Ev'
cry County has Seminary, generally built OF
good brick of large size, but without form, and
void" Indeed, many of these County Seminary
buildings, erected at a coat Of from $4,000 to
$4,000, are standing empty during the entire year
the doors open, and sheep and other quadrupeds
reposing under their shadow in the heats of Sum-
mer, or sheltering themselves from the pelting
blasts of Winter. They seem to have been erect
ed after the fashion of the capacous old Dutch
barns of New.York, with sole reference to the
quantity Of matter they would contain.
The Legislative bodies OF Indiana have entirely
filled to render available to the people Of the
State the benefits of Education contemplated by
the trainers of the Constitution for. so far, no iu
dicious system Of Primary Schools has been pro-
vided The State University is curse to the
State, and must be until so modified as to render
its character and its operations analogous TO the
Normal Seminary at Albany, ~. The County
Seminaries are curse TO the cause OF Common
Schools Our present Governor, J. Wright, is
strongly opposed 70 them, and is entirely In favor
Of an efficient system Of Common Schools. AS 1t
IL every School District receives enough public
money TO sauander on some Abecedanan to keep
fr,e School ABOUT three months In the year, ana
toncuce the employers 20 close the school Tor the
remaining part of the year. great lack oil aoie
Teachers prevails in every county and IN every
township Few of the Teachers are competent
10 teach the primary branches of an English edu-
cation. The evil results OF such state OF things
not hard to tell. We see it in the TACT that out
OF $4,000 children between the ages OF and 20,
in 1870, only $4,000 were attending Common
Schools, 2,496 the Academies, and 1922 the Col
leges At that time over 1000 adult persons in
the State were unable 20 read and write; and
many Of those who could, did it imperfectly.-
The love OF office, and the lack OF principle and
political integrity in the Legislators, accounts for
most OF the baleful effects resulting from such
wide ard deep spread state of ignorance Just
mon matter in Indiana-that the worshipper of
Bacchus and the advocate of the distillatOn and
use of the fre-water" is sure TO be elected 70
any Office over his opposing Temperance candi-
date and that he who will not who cannot treat
is sure 10 be defeated, aud you may guess tcky
the law makers OF Indiana care or do so little to
promote Education and Moral Reform-why they
have laws that will allow a white man to cheat,
fog, kill q colored man with perfect impunty.
A great portion OF the oldest citizens of the
State are Carolinians. Vrginians, Kentuckians;
they hate negroes of course, and are not likely TO
vote for man who would treat them humanely
However, the emigration of Eastern people TO
The State, and the increasing comforts OF our
farmers, and their greater relaxation from the
duties, cares and tolls consequent on q state of
Civilization rising out OF the wilderness" are
allowing the people leisure to reflect; they read
and think moro; and the signs Of the times favor
the hope that Indiana will soon emulate her sis
ter Ststes-Ohio and Aicbsan-in the cause of
Common School Education IL is doubtful, though,
II system OF Schools entirely free lcM or should
erer PrerdI an Indiana, or anywhere else When
the teacher depends for his employment and re.
Enumeration on the favor and good opinion of the
patrons OF bis School ne wilt be likely 70 try TO
discharge al his duties, without favortism To all
ms scholars. When he is hired by one two or
three Trustees or Directors he has no direct in
dueement 10 lead him 10 pay an impartial atten.
ZION to each pupil; bat he has many temptations.
owing to variety Of circumstances, to retain the
good opinion OF his "two or three EMPLOYERS"
ns rs general bu, powerful objection to Free
Sen0os us details need not be carried out here.
Free schools would make lazy teachers