The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-01-31

/ hle into line, but they Will have hard work
to accomplish it.
Profession and Practiee---The Hypoc-
rIsy OfRepubIican Policy.
Il will be remembered that in the political
contest in Ohio last fall the Republican
press and orators OF that party made
earnest effort to abuse the mind of the pso
pie with the idea that the leaders of the
Democratic party then had sinister designs
upon the public schools. Religious preju-
dices were persistently appealed to, and the
people were urged to vote the Republican
ticket. that plans might be formed aud leg
isIation secured whereby it would be i'm.
possible to imperil the interests, so
vital 10 popular intelligence and po-
litie8l and religious freedom. With
out doubt these persistent hsrangues,
falsely charging the Democracy with q
purpose to impair the school system, or
overthrow it, alarmed the minds of many,
and thousands Of well-meaniDg men, whose
culture and intelligence was not
superior to these appeals to
prejudice, voted the Republican ticket under
the impression that such vote was equiva-
lent to expressing their sentiment in favor
of the common cchools, and saoredly foster
ing them in the state. Gov. Hayes in Ohio,
in the general canvass over the state, sought
and secured this advantage at the polls.
Everywhere the alarm was sounded, every
where men were bid to rush to the rescue
and preserve to their children this heritage,
that had been Secured as one of the
fruits of Republican institutions, and now
its surest safeguard. But no sooner was the
contest over, aud the false and hypocritical
plea had accomplished their end, than the
subject is entirely forgotten and ignored.
Gov. Hayes comes forward before the gen.
eral assembly, in bis inaugural address, and,
amid the scores of recommendations and
special charges, the chief state interest that
was represented before the people at the
polls, as all important, was not mentioned
at all. He commended the Centennial,
referred to local taxation, remembered
the public charities, gave advice
about the treatment of prisoners, and other
subjects that would have invited the atten-
ton Of the general assembly in the mere
routine of business, but the subject so vital
forgotten or ignored.
As contrast with this hypocrisy, il eff
fOrds the Sentinel pleasure to present an
other record, that of the governor of the
state of Indiana, and we do so more es-
psclally because one ofthese same Republi-
can papers in Ohio that was so loud in its
plea TOR succoriDg the endangered fres
schools Of Ohio, ssterward, when Governor
Hendricks made his Centennial speech here
on New Years day, and referred to
the schools as the product of our American
institutions, 70 be fostered and preserved,
said that the governor was late in his utter
snces. and that be would not have said so
much in his speeches in Ohio when the
question was at issue, This was, Of course,
false, for Governor Hendricks evaded no
issue pending there.
But in contrast with the record of Gov.
Hayes, that of Gov. Hendricks will show
that he has lost no opportunity to speak a
word favorable TO sustaining the schools,
not by bringing them into unnecessary con-
trOversy for political effect, but az proper
times invoking the fostering care of the
legislature to this great interest of the people.
In Gov. Hendricks Inaugural address he
said:
need not urge you TO extend a protecting and
fostering hand over our free schools, and to
guard with anxious care the funds that support
them. Coming as you do, from among the peO-
pie. you can not be Indifferent to influence
so important to their welfare, and TO the true
dignity and strength Of the state.
trust the laws you may enact will promote
the moral. intellectual and material welfare of
the people.
Again. in his biennial message no less
than FIVE pages were devoted to the educa-
iionsl interests of the state. We quote
few paragraphs:
There is no subject to which could call your
sttenuon in respect to which your responsible
ity tx greater than any measure materially af
fecting the success and influence Of the schools.
Your responsibility and mine are too great to
allow any important action upon hastily formed
OF ill.dlgasted opinions. The guiding sentiment
should be economy in expenditure and eff
cheney in the system. Neither should be sacri-
feed TO the other. The school fund is sacred 10
a cause of the highest Importance, and It's waste,
or extravagant use, would be crime against
society. ALI extra compensation and discre-
ti0nary allowances should be prohibited. IL,
upon careful consideration and the test
superintendent OF public instruction, and
whose recent death the country mourns,
made mistake In respect to any part Of the
machinery Of our system, you Will correct the
mistake, but in your examination you VIII ind
the great weight ofhis opinion In the scales.
He was an economist, friend Of the people