The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-06

ton, was announcedin the following order. Messrf
Morrison of Washington, Bryant, May, Hit, Foster,
Stevenson, Nofsinger, Miligan an2 Blythe.
This committee went to work in nediately, elected
Col. James r. NJ. Bryant, of Warren. secretary, and
resolved to hold stated meetings weekly, and daily
when necessary, to compare views, collect information
by the convention.
Without exaggeration it may be added that every
member was fully impressed with a deep sense of the
heavy responsibility that rested upon him, and long
and earnest were the conflicts before the general prin-
ciples were settled, which should be embodied in the
final report Of the committee.
Indeed, the first section Of the article, which in the
main was copied from the old Constitution, gave rise
to many warm and exciting discussions. A close
comparison, however, will reveal differences, vitality
important to the success and efficiency OF the whole
scheme. By the new Constitution q general and uni
form system of common schools is established, where
IN tuition shall be without charge and equally open TO
all. Under the old Constitution, all was chaos and
uncertainty, and the Legislature was authorized to
act as soon as circumstances viii permit"
by the new, every provision is mandatory. The
system cannot remain inert; it must be put in active
operation; it must have motion; it must move every
where and at all times, and it must be uniform. while
every word III this first section was submitted to the
severest scrutiny, there is mono that was canvassed
with more care and di; zee than the word uniform
One member of the committee contended with great
zeal and pertinacity that equitable was the proper
word. but a wiser and better Judgment preponderated,
and this term was allowed to stand.
The second section, which particnlarizes what the
principal of the common school fund shall consist of,
was adopted in committee after much labor and pains
taking, especially the clause which makes the funds 10
be derived from the sale of county seminaries and the
lines assessed fof breaches of the penal laws OF the
State, and all forfeiture that may accrue, q part of the
principal of the common school fund.
1t was earnestly commended that all money arising
from such sources should be regarded as so much an.
nual income, and be applied as fast as it accrued to
defray the current expenses of tuition. But q ma
jority of the committee would entertain no PROPOSE
ton which did not contemplate a constant addition to
the appropriation to the support of common schools,
and to no other purpose whatever" Although the
retcnt1On OF THIS phrase was sad TO be IN uefefenc3 60
the wishes of the chairman, yet, in the light of ex-
perience, it's necessity has been fully indicated. and
it is believed no true friend of common schools can be
found, at the present day, so bypocritical as to ex-
tract, if he could. this clincher from the Constitution.
The sixth section, which held the several counties
liable for 50 much Of the fund as may be intrusted to
them, and for the payment of the annual interest
thereon, met with very formidable opposition when
first suggested in committee; but when it was shown
that this section was an exact copy OF the law already
on the statute books. all opposition was withdrawn.
This section has Done it's full share in preserving the
integrity of the principal and securing the payment in
full of all the accruing interest.
For the seventh section, which makes all trust funds
remain inviolate, the State is indebted to the late Hon.
John Petit, not a member of the committee, but one
of the ablest delegates of the convention
o1aoti;on nc iS ST. Snner;n ten d &c Pine I ~
ion, the chairman of the committee must alone be
held responsible. BY a majority vote in the commit
tee this section was stricken from the final report.
The potent argument used to defeat the MEASURE was
the creation of an additional State officer and the con.
sequent expense of maintaining such an Office.
news Il Cme decision OIL bne committee fh g
jecting the section was received with very great
alarm by it's friends on the floor of the convention.
1t was regarded as a fatal blow against the State
undertaking to educate the children of the State with
out a sentinel to guard the pubic funds from piliage
and misrepresentation, as well as a head to guide the
general system and mold it into proper form. twas
believed that the whole system would soon
become a wreck as certainly as the richly laden vessel
when deprived of a captain to keep its reckoning and
control its helm. In the midst CT general despon-
dency the chairman, having found a few sympathiz.
ing friends who ~profered their support. determined
to submit the rejection to the tender mercesof the
convention.
To his great relief, after a somewhat ssavmy do
bate, the additional section was adopted and was or
dered to be engrossed by a vote of 70 to 80, and add
ed to the new Constitution.
To satisfy any regrets that the term Of Office was not
made four years instead of two, it may suffice TO add
that the aid referred to was promised on the express
condition that the term of Office should be limited to
two years.
The meeting then adjourned for the afternoon.