Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-01-12


the construction that they place upon
the word uniformity" as il appears
in the constitution, to convey the idea
that the tax levied for purposes of ed
ucaiion. and to be applied in the pay
ment OF teachers, must be levied by
the Legislature. If. however, they
intend to apply the principle Of the
decision to all the details ofthe munic-
ipSl regulations of the school affairs OF
townships and towns, the interests OF
education imperiously demand an ear
y amendment to the constitution. In
order TO secure efficiency in the opera
tons of any system of public instruc-
ton, the action Of the people, in town.
ships and in district organizations, is
indispensably necessary.
cannot, for a moment, suppose
that corporate towns and cities may be
invested. constitutionally, with the
powers necessary to manage their mu-
nicipal affairs, according to their Pc
culiar circumstances, in every depart
ment OF local interest, excepting only
that most important ofall interests. the
education of youth. 1t would be a
rulnous policy to make an exception
so fatal to all prospects of efficient
action on the part of one Of the most
essential elements of human progress.
1t is gratifying to know that, where
the school law has been carried into
effect. according to its obvious import,
under the control of efficient officers,
and without the disturbing influence Of
legal questions, its action has been
happy and harmonious; and warrants
the expectation thatwith, amend.
ments. not affecting its vital principles,
but merely correcting some oversights
and supplying some deficiencies, il
will remain among our statutes, an ex-
ponent of the wisdom Of its trainers,
and blessing and an honor to the
State.
The signs Of our educational prog.
ress may be seen in the increasing
number of graded schools--som. OF
established reputation, and others as.
piringto that position-and in the large
commodious costly edi6ces that have
been erected for purposes Of education,
IN various parts Of the State. The
building Of numerous school houses
and the increasing demand for compe,
tent teachers, are additional eyiden.
ces Of the favor with which the peo
PIE regard our educational interests
The recent organization Of n Teach
ors' Institute, aud the later organiza
ton Of State Teachers Association
with It's associated lectures, | hail A.
omens OF good; aud predict that ben
eiicial and far.reaching influences viii
flow out from these institutions.
! During thepasttwo years, the steady
increase Of the number Of studcnts il
our several Colleges. and the nantes
tations on the part of those who hav,
charge Of these Institutions, Of an &C
tive sympathy with all the educationa
movements Of the State, have afford
ed additional and neutrality-suspicious.
of the State, Of popular opinion on tn,
subject Of education.
IL is the duty of the State to extent
to all the general educational enter
prises Of her citizens. the countenanc,
and encouragement OF n liberal policy
and, in the maintenance Of such {
policy. to exempt from taxation a
least those funds that have been be,
slowed by private muni6cence, for the
moral and intellectual training Of the
youth of the state.
The aifaies Of tho State University
at Bloomington. require some prompt
and decisive action on the part of the
General Assembly. In the early par
Of the year 1854, the main college
building, and the very valuable Libra,
ny that il contained, were DESTROYED
by fire. The Trustees immediately
adopted energetic and economical
means to repair the damages; and a
new and councillors odi6ce, designed
for the principal department of the U.
University, is now nearly completed.
You are aware that, for some years
the affairs Of this institution have
been embarrassed by the progress Of a
law suit, which involved about sixty
thousand dollars Of its funds, and
which grew out Of controversy be-
tween the State and the Vincennes u
University. The suit has been decided
against the State; but no decision has
been made in any controversy wherein
the State University WIS party; and
it is believed the judgmentof ,he Court
cannot, without further legislative &C
ton, be carried into effect by any trans
fer Of the finds in question, to the
Yincennes University.
Having no doubt of the power oil
the State to adjust this difficulty. lin
which the rights and liabilities OF the
parties arose under the old constitu.
ti0n,) by any means ut her command,
or on time, | earnestly recommend the
adoption Of measures for the early set
Element Of this controversy. in some
way that will not deprive the State
University Of its present resources
The suit, to which reference has been
made, was instituted under the author
ity Of an act Of the Legislature; and,
whatever opinions may be entertained
as to the results Of future litigation on
the part Of the State University, the
interests Of the people Of the Suite. Of
the Institution, aud of the community
in which il is located, require an early
and final settlement of tho question.
Y statement Of the condition of the
funds Of the State University will be
placed before you. in the report Of the
Trustees, These officers, in the course
of H. ,agt ,,oar okt....l . -. a