Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1864-02-11


acres-that of the University of about
10000 acres, az Townships), since
increased by the unsold Saline lands
Even if portion of the Grant were
given to the University, the endow-
ment of the Agricultural College
would be much the larger one /; so
that there would be left an ample en-
dowmcnt for the College.
The Agricultural College has IN
bonds and lands, aside from the farm
and it's improvements, over 1000.
The University is in successful opera
ton. as an institution Of the State !;
one of the most important and useful
of its institutions and the work
now being done there is as important
to the interests of the State as that
being done in any other institution.
Its funds are now invested at ten per
cent. but already it is so that, as the
principal of the fund is paid in, it cam
not be rc-loaned at that rate of inter-
est. The rate must go down, and as
it goes down the income of the institu-
ton goes down ; and that too as the
demands upon the institution are in
creasing by reason of the increasing
numbers of those seeking admission
into the institution. Would it not
then be wise to keep up and sus-
tain the now successfully operating
institution, thereby saving the Agri
cultural College Grant to the State,
and thereby giving time to organize
upon a healthful basis the new insti-
tuition. and leaving an ample endow-
ment for both.
In conclusion, beg to say, there
should not, and | trust there will not
be any strife or contention between
those institutions. Both are needed
both will aid largely to advance the
interests of the State There is enough
for both, and it is wise so to manage
the fund as not to cripple either, and
at the same time properly care for the
public interest.
The bill was laid on the table and
ordered to be printed.
After that matter was disposed OF
for the time being, an animated and
interesting discussion took place upon
our Common School System, and as
this is a subject which interests the
people generally, we devote considera-
bic space to the remarks of gentlemen
of the House upon the comparative
merits Of the present system and the
independent district system"
Mr.. Finkbine offered resolution in.
structing the committee to report a
bill abolishing the Board of Education,
and providing for the election or APP,
pointment of a Superintendent Of Pub.
lie Instruction. Also to report what
amendments are necessary in the pres.
ent township system in order to adapt
it to the proposed change.
He wished to present the issue
clearly so that the advocates Of each
system nigh. know exactly what they
were voting for.
Mr.. Moir said that the consideration
of the bill on the table would deter
min the question whether there is a
disposition to change the school sys'
tenn. He then proceeded to consider
the Board of Education. The Gener.
al Assembly has had no power before
to abolish the Board. The time has
now come to decide, and he hoped the
Board would be abolished, as it was
entirely useless. 1t amounted to lit
tie more than committee on schools
and University.
Mr.. Hildreih said just SO soon as
the independent school district should
be established, interminable litigation
would commence. No one would know
who owned the property The change
would be a perfect God-send to the
lawyers. He said the present system
being self-operating machine, work
ed, many times, in spite of the oppo-
sition of the citizens Of the different
neighborhoods. If the people living in
given sub-district wished to rear
their children in ignorance, this law
needed not their wants. 1t would com
pei them to build school house, and
maintain school. The Board of Edu-
cation had been a cheap institution.
1t was not responsible for what gen
tlemen charged upon it. He was,
however, of opinion that it had fulfill
ed its mission, and might now be
abolished.
Mr.. Knox said in his section the
people built their school houses by a
tax selfimposed. He believed the OBJ
ject intended by the law could be car
ried out under the independent dis
trict system.
He believed the independent sys-
tenn was more direct, more simple,
and more readily comprehended by
the people. Nine tenths of his con-
stituents were acquainted with it, and
desired to have it, The present sub
district system is more circu;ious,
more complex and hence more objec-
tionable.
Mr.. Helm said the people in his Sec
tion had tried the present law and
were well satisfied with it.
Mr.. Weare said he believed some
Of the provisions of the law should be
changed. There need not be the con-
fusion some gentlemen foresee in the
proposed change. The suggestion Of
Col Benton on this subject was to the
point. He favored no sudden change,
but would give the people time to ac-
commodate themselves To the new law.
He believed each sub-district should
control its own affairs. The Board of
Education had been a humbug from
the start and should be abolished.
Mr.. Fem read from the Secretary's
report to show that no change was at
present advisable. He was opposed
to the proposed change as it would
not work well in his part of the State.
Mr.. McNutt said if gentlemen who
are anxious to return to the old sys-
TEN would compare the statistics OF
both systems he believed they would
abandon their opposition to the pres
ent law. This system has just come
into successful operation. aud the PEG.
pie are beginning TO understand it,