The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-01-05
Gov. Hendricks and the Schools.

In attempting a sarcasticsl criticism on
the speech of Governor Hendricks de-
livered at the Academy on last Saturday,
the Journal illustrates either its wonte3 in
accuracy or its customary unfsirness, Prob
ably part of both. 1t publishes the fol-
lowing passage, which contains not only
misrepresentation, but also contradiction
of facts of which the Journal, as an intelli-
gent observer of public affairs, must be well
aware:
But it was when he touched upon our COM
mon school system that his heart was fired.
There is where he grew impressive snd elo-
quent. "These Schools" said he, "beoDg to
the people They are their inheritance, and
theirs to guard and preserve, and it is their
duty TO regard any man as their foe who will
endanger tht M These be brave and gallant
words. They exhibit a determination on the
part of Mr.. Hendricks to draw his glittering
STEEL agar st any impious wretch who dares 20
place him on the side Of the millions who
are determined to preserve that system
were not spoken sooner. 1t seems such a pity
that our governor did not think of the matter in
of william Allen fog horn in Ohio last octo-
ber and laboring SO valiantiy tor the election OF
st. Geghan in Cincinnati But the great wave
of public opinion had not passed over the
country then; democratic papers had not then
been shown the necessity OF stand for the
developed then, and Mr.. Hendricks waited, like
"a discreet man as he is, 10. see which way that
little breeze was going 20 blow.
Instead OF waiting, as stated above, to see
which way the wind was going to bow, the
governor was, in point of fact, the first one
to bring the public school interest promin-
emily into view as a matter of political con-
Germ. And he, more than any of his pre-
decessors, has constantly urged, both upon
the people and the legislature, the import
ance of popular education. Since assuming
his official duties be has omitted no oppor-
tunity to express his faith IN free and uni
versal education as the important ele-
ment of prosperity for the state. First,
on the death OF State Superintendent
Hopkins, whoss funeral he attended at
Kokomo in the summer of 1874, he took
occasion to express decided views in behalf
OF the public school system which was SO
deeply affected by the Sudden death of the
superintendent. But. again, the Journal
can not have failed TO read the governors
message to the legislature. delivered enc
year ago, before the Republicans bad
thought of rsising this issue by popular
clsmor. His language in that message is
emphatic and of precisely the same tenor as
office. 1t is as follows
There is no subject to which 1 could call your
attention in respect to which your response
bility is greater than, any measure materially
affecting the success and influence of, the
schools. Your responsibility and mine are too
great to allow any Important action upon
hastily formed or ill-digested opinions. The
guiding sentiment should be economy In ez-
pendilure and efficiency in the system. Neither
should be sacrificed 10 the other. TIE school
fund is sacred TO a cause of the highest import
ance, and its wasie or eztravagant use, would
be crime against society. All extra compen-
sation and discretionary allowances Ghould be
prohibited. IL, upon careful consideration end
the test of experience, you find that the distin-
guished mar tho was the late superintendent
of public instruction, and whose recent death
the coantry mourns, made mistake in
respect to any part OF the machinery OF our
system, you will correct the mistake, hut in
your examination you will find the great
weight of his opinion in the scales. He was an
economist, a friend of the people and the able
champion of commOD-School education, AS
repr sen tatives of the people we 1aye occasion
to be proud ofthe high character which cur edu-
cational system main ains and the PEOPLE Will
approve the sentiment, III you give it ex preston
in legislation that, In respe. 10 the cause OF
common-schoSl education, we wall take no step
backwards.
What clearer or stronger expression
hes any friend OF popular education ever
made than. this advisory language to the
legislature. long before the first brssth of a
breeze had been felt in political circles on
This subjsot. The governor did not wait to.
give his. views upon the schools. Tho
Journal could not have been more unfortu-
nate in an attempt at criticism than it has
been in this instance for its own good re-
pute. It can not be excused tor ignorance
of an important state paper.