The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28
THE HOUSE.

John M. GoaC, Trustee of the Soldiers
Orphans Home, Demands Investiga-
ton.
The session opened with prayer by Rev. j. j.
Faude. pastor of Trinity Church, Michigan City.
Bills for amendments were introduced by Rep
resentatives Brooks, McHenry, Reeves Tim
mons, Monk of Wells ~, Browning Loop,
Barnes. Robinson, Staley (2), Crecelius Taylor
~, and Floyd (2)
Mr.. Staley offered resolution. which was
adopted, providing for the appointment of a
committee on woman's claims to consist Of five
consist of Representatives Staley. Toner, Jane
son, Brownlee, Lindsday and Robinson.
A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ExT-BooKs.
Mr.. McHenrv introduced bill tH R., 272l
to provide for the adoption of uniform system
of textbooks in the common schools, which was
read the first time, and Mr. Gordon moved to re-
ject it.
Mr NcHenry-This bill may stir up the
depfs1S ~ more than one heart. / expected that
1t would. But its passage would save the people
of the State of Indiana two hundred thousand
dollars for textbooks, and it would give them
better text books.
Mr.. Dittemore-It seems to me that this is
not fair way to dispose of this bill, which has
been presented in good faith If there is any one
thing In which the people of Indiana are mora
interested in than another, it is the common
schools.
Mr.: Gordon--I can see no reason why the
adoption of eXt-books should be put in the
hands of the State Board of Education, but
can see many reasons why We should not give
them so much power. think if we put this
power In the State Board of Education the
throwing out Of the schools of the books that are
already in use would not only cost two hundred
thousand dollars. but two millions. l think the
people of this State would rignteously rise up in
indignation at the passage Of this bill.
Mr.. McMullen-There has been q continued
effort it seems to me, since the opening of this
session to give this State Board of Education
unlimited power, and we have had some three or
four tests of that matter in this House. | think
we are as ready to vote upon it now as at any 9th
err time / think majority of the members of
+ this House believe that the State Board of Edu-
cation have power enough. The other day we
spent the whole afternoon talking about this
State Board of Education and their powers. [
think the majority of this House have faithfully
listened to this bill, and / don't know why they
cannot vote upon it just now. | am opposed to
giving any more power to the State Board than
it has now.
Mr.. Lloyd If there is any subject more than
another in my opinion that commends itself to
this body it is this very subject of textbook in
the common schools. Whether this bill passes
| or not in my opinion this house ought to- dele
gate some power to some committee that will
investigate and bring up bill requiring a uni
ana. When it comes to this, that the poor people
of this State are compelled to make an
investment of eight ten dollars year for text
books, and when they move to another county
have to buy another class Of books when this
evil creeps in it is a subject worthy of con-
sideration. The bill under consideration if not
in proper form or shape, should be considered by
the members of the House and amended, so that
| the people of Indiana will have a uniform sys-
tenn of xtbooks. Therefore, hope that this
Nvil1 OF no oaplX Init hot
| the members of the House will give it their at
tention before rejecting it.
The motion to reject the bill failed by yeas
9, nays 49, and the bill was referred to the COM
mittee on education.
ORPHANS HOME INVESTIGATION.
Speaker Jewett submitted communication
from John NJ Goar. a trustee of the Soldiers
Orphans Home and Asylum for Feeble minded
Children, asking for the appointment of special
committee to investigate charges against him
self and charges preferred by him against Mr..
White, the superintendent.
Mr.. Moody offered concurrent resolution for
the appointment of committee to be composed
of two senators and three representatives, to in
vestigate the charges against the trustees and
employees of the Soldiers Orphans Home and the
Asylum for Predetermined Children, and that
the committee have power to send for persons
and papers,
Mr.. Kellison offered an amendment to confne
the Investigation to charges against Mr.. -Goar.
On motion of Mr.. Brownlee the amendment was
laid on the table.
MIR. Patten moved to amend so that the COM
mistee shall consist of members OF the House
only. Mr. Gooding opposed the amendment, and
favored the original resolution. On his motion
the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr.. Patten-When Mr.. Goar comes before
this House, and attempts to blacken the reputa-
tion of the members o. the committee, and to
assail not only the superintendent of that asy-
| lum but the whole family of orphans, and i'm
| plies that such gross immoralites are being
carried on, it behooves us that we rigidly nves-
| tigate the man making the charges. This COM
munication, taken as a whole. is simply an
| insult and an outrage to this House. 1t is a
courtesy to allow it to be read / see no reason
| why John M. Goar should ask for the investiga-
ton of all the members of the board. A good
reason why should not pay any attention to
the investigation Of the other members is be
cause he asks it. We should see whether the
! charges against John NJ Goar are cleared up