Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1852-02-18
From the Senior Editor.
IsDIASApoLIs, Feb. 14th. 1859.

measure Of the session, reported to the
House on Monday last, and ordered to be print
cd. 1t is very long, but has been prepared with
much labor and care, by Mr.. Bryant, one of the
most efficient members of the House.
The bill consolidates the entire school funds
leyies a tax Of - cents each 500, and %
cts. poll tax; the business to be done by civil
instead Of Congressional townships; the township
trustees manage the whole educational affairs Of
the township without having districts establish
ing as many schools may be necessary, but
not more then for every sixty resident scho
lars the income Of the school fund to be disri
buted to each county and township according to
the number Of scholars; Incorporated cities and
towns to have the management of their own
schools, independent Of the township in which
they may be SITUATED; tax Of / Of one mill,
and twenty five cents poll tax is laid for the eia
bshment Of township school Libraries; one
State Superintendent, and fifteen circuit Super
intendcnts are to be created; the salary of the
State Superintendent is to be $500, and Of the
district Superintendent $500 each; the latter
Superintendents are to visit the several town
ships of their respective circuits; State Board
Of education is to consist Of the circuit Superin-
tendents, to meet annually at indianapolis;
graded schools may be established whenever
practicable; the inhabitants of the Township
may levy an additional tax not exceeding 50
cents on each 100 dollars and poll tax Of 80 cts
for school purposes
There are several provisions of the bill which
are Objectionable, particularly to the tax payers
Of the older and more densely populated coun-
tics-it is too expensive, and has too much
machinery about it, for practical purposes. 1t
is unjust that the people of Wayne and similar
counties should pay 50 large an amount to be ex-
pended in other counties. slight inequality
should be tolerated for the public good. Our
people should be willing to contribute something
to assist the less favored portions of the State;
but by this consolidation of the funds, not less
than thirty per cent. of the school tax of our
county would be expended in other counties.
There other objections to the bill. but before
this reaches the reader it will be subject to the
action of the legislature. | shall vote for the
bill, if it is amended to be just and equal
in it's operations.
Another bill has been introduced into the
House, to establish Free Banking system. In
it's general features it conforms to the New \ DIRK
Free Banking system, except that 1T does not
allow bonds and mortgages to be part : the
securities. but Indiana and United States stocks,
and stocks Of other States conditionally.
Mr. Stuart introduced bill fixing the salaries
Of Supreme and Circuit Judges, Auditor, Secre-
tarv and Treasurer Of State at $1,000, without
anv perouistes, and Of the county Clerks, Trca-
sures, and Auditors follows: II the popu-
lation of the county does not exceed SIX thou
sand at $500; if not over ten thousand, 500;
If not over thirteen thousand $500; over thIr-
teen thousand at $1,000. No berquisltes to be
allowed them but they are to account for all re-
ceived.
The rules Of the Senate have been so amendei
that no Senator speak longer than ten min
utes on an amendment, and thirty minutes on
an original proposition
Several efforts have been made in both
branches of the legislature to adjourn on the
first of March to the 10Th of May; but the
matter has been voted down. 1t is feared that
rs the time for the commencement of the Circuit
Courts approaches the lawyers will leave, and
when the time for ploughin and planting draws
near the farmers will many of them will be alb
sent, SO that it will be impossible to obtain a
constitutional vote to pass bills. My humble
opinion is that the whole matter may as we'll be
..dried up" as soon as possible.
We introduced few days since joint reso-
luton instructins members OF Congress to
vote for the establishment of an Agricultural
Bureau at Washington. 1t is a matter, almost
of wonder, and establishment that sucl, subor
dinate Department has not before this been esta
blished BY Congress. Their attention has been
called to it, by successive recommendation OF
Presidents and yet matters of far less import
ance have superseded it in the attention of Con-
gress.
A bill appropriating $4,000 for the purpose of
colonizing in Africa. the negroes and muattoes
Of this State who are willing to emisrate passed
the Senate Yesterday. 1t provides for the pur-
chase of lands upon which TO found settlement
to be called the Indiana Colony" Whether
the bill will pass the House not is doubtful
A bill exempting $500 worth Of property from
execution has passed both branches of the
legislature. This exemption to take effect from
and after the 4th of July next.
A bill has passed the Senate. and been en-
crossed in the House, dividing the State into
four districts for Judges of the Supreme Court.
This bill places the three members of the pre-
sent bench. all in district, that it utterly
precludes the nomiation and election of more
than one of the present incumbents- The con-
test however, will be between Blackford and
Perkins.