The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-08

THE SENATE.
Discussion and Amendment of the Blair
Educational Bill.

WASHINGTON, April AFTER the transaction
Of unlnportant business, the Senate resumed
consideration of the education bill, and Mr..
Brown spoke in its support in answer to an
opposing argument made by Mr.. Morgan on
Saturday.
Mr.. Voorhees, followed saying that on a
measure so non-partisan as this he could meet
with men of any and all parties. This BILL he
said, should be received with favor by all sec
tions and all classes. The seeds of diseord had
been sown early in the history of our national
government and this vas measure to wipe
out the last vestige of that discord. The
measure came from the right quarter
from New England-and Mr.. Voorhees,, not
only as Western senator, but
with the blood of the South in his veins, could
cordially support it. 1t was not measure for
the education of the colored people, but for all
the people. 1t was a grand measure of recon
oiliation. What had we all been praying for
during the last twenty years? Was it not for a
wholesouled and hearty reconciliation What
measure that could be devised would better
bring about that result than this bill?
Mr.. Voorhees, thought it toolate in the day TO
protest against national aid to State education,
since not only had hundreds of millions of
acres been given separate States for education,
but, since the war, SC, 900, 5000 IN cash
had been expended by the national govern
Inent in the establishment and support of
freedmen's schools, and $400, 1000 for education
OF Indian children at Hampton and Carlisle and
all this without protest from the gentlemen who
oppose this measure. He believed there were
certain great rights reserved to the States and
there was character of strict construction that
was still to be upheld and commended for; but
the strict construction of the old time had been
born of slavery, and now slavery with the special
FORM of strict construction to which it gave rise,
was dead. The acquisition of Louisiana and
Texas have been effected during Il period of
even the strictest construction. yet without any
express authority IN the constitution If we
extend our flag over foreign soil, could we not
educate our people? Mr. Voorhees, represented a
State that was out of debt but when the towns
of Southern Indiana were swept by destruc-
tive food, and the Legislature of the State could
not be convened in time to avert a great public
calamity, Mr.. Voorhees, and his colleague had
asked Congress to give substantial aid in the
emergency, and Congress had promptly given it,
and nobody had thought in an exercise of I'M
constitutional power.
Mr. Hoar's first amendment was then taken
up, providing that the amount to be distributed
the first year be ST. 900, G0e, the second year $40,
000,000 the third $l5; 600. 690 and then at a di-
unfinished rate of $40, 900 600 yearly until the ex-
piration of the eighth year, when the appropria-
lions shall cease
The amendment was agreed to; So yeas, Il
nays.
Another amendment of Mr.. Hoar's was agreed
to providing that equal opportunity for eduea-
ton be given all children of the State.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Sherman
providing that the money shall be used only for
common schools not sectarian in character.
Mr. Morgan inquired if this provision was
aimed at Catholics.
Mr.. Sherman replied that it was not aimed
Catholics, Methodists or Presbyterians especial
l,94st Nct,
be dsbursed only for non sectarian schools. He
himself believed the Intelligent Catholics of the
country were coming to the conclusion that
many of the ideas about common schools were
erroneous.
Mr. Hoar remarked that in the city in which
fia11
Of common schools as rule, than the Catho-
lies.
The amendment was agreed to-yeas 80, nays
The first Of the amendments heretofore Of
fered by Mr.. Harrison was taken
up 1t provides that no State
shall receive any benefits of the act until the
Governor of the State shall file with the Secre-
tary of the Interior an annual statement show
ing the attendance at schools and the expendi-
lures for them
The debate was continued by Messrs. Will
ia1ns Hawiay Garland Morgan, Butler and
others, and finally Senator Harrison rose and re-
marked that Mr.. Beck had said, the other day,
speaking for his (Beck's) party, that 1--WE never
trust men twice. Mr.. Harrison said that ght
do for the party of the Senator but said he,
''On this side Of the chamber we do trust men
twice. If we did not it might not epossible for
us to be on friendly relations with some senators
on the other side of the chamber"
Mr.. Morgan added: Nor your own party,
either"
Several senators protested against politics be-
ing brought into the discussion of this humani-
tartan question. Several attempts to amend
the amendment of Mr. Harrison were voted
down and the amendment was agreed to, after
striking out the section which permitted
States having less than five per cent. of litter
acy to use money for normal schools or indus
trial education.
number of amendments offered by Mr.. Har-
rison were agreed to.
The bin being completed as in committee of
the whole, was reported to the Senate, read
three times and passed by the following vote
Yeas-Messrs. Blair, Brown Call Cameron Of Wis
consn, Colquitt, Conger, Culofn Dawes, Dolph, Ed
munds Frye Garland George, Hampton, Harrison,
Hoar jackson Jonas, Jones OF Florida, Kenna Logan,
Mcmillan Henderson, Miller of New York, Morrill,,
Pike Patt Pugh, Ransofa, Riddleberger, Sawyer,
Williams, Wilson-33
Nays-Messrs. Bayard, Butler Coke, Groome,
Harris Hawley Maxey, Miller of California, Morgan
Pendleton, Saulsbury-1l.
Adjourned