The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-24


Der of the Legislature can do the people great
service and himself credit by procuring such
amendment as will compel the enforcement of
the law, and thorough careful and honest in
spection of all oils sold in the State.
NoBLEsvILLE, Jan. 23 1885, CONSUMER.
Our Educational Institutions.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The people Of the State of Indiana have been
paying for several years from the State Treas
ury the sum of $38. 600 each year to support the
State Normal and Indiana University-$l5, 900
for the Normal and $23, 900 for the University
and every dollar that the present General Assem-
bly, gives to those institutions will be in addi-
ton to the above amount, and it is to be hoped
that, before any more money is appropriated for
those schools, the Legislature will ascertain
what good results, if any, are coming to the
people of the State by way of compensation for
the money thus expended. We hope the Legis-
lature will examine the records of those institu
tions, and compare them with other private in
situations Of learning in the State, that receive
no aid from the taxpayers; ascertain the num-
Der of students that attend. the number of
professors, the number of graduates each
year, ard also consider the inconvenience, by
reason of their location, to large portion of the
people of this State; the condition the buildings
are now in-and then say by your vote whether
they shall be perpetuated longer or cut off at
once, and the State begin new leaf in her educa-
tional history. 1t occurs to me that now is the
time to start in the direction of consolidation of
our educational institutions of this State, pro-
vide for the erection of new buildings on one
grand campus near the center of the State. Let
them be constructed on the most modern and
safe plan, and then instead of that everlasting
wailing that IS coming up from the people by
which they begrudge the money that is now ex-
pended to support our institutions of learning,
we would see them paying their share freely and
willingly to support an institution that would
be an honor to the State, at the same time pay
ing it in support of educational institutions that
would have reputation that extended outside
of the immediate vicinity Of their location. AS
long as the State continues to maintain those
institutions separately and located as they are,
never can have place of learning in this State
that Jhepeople will feel proud of. They may con-
tinue to exist for a few years more, but it will
be only in the minds OF those who live in the
vicinity where they are located or in the minds
Of those who are being pecuniarily benefited by
their separate existence.
The Normal is but an old moss covered build
ing of but little value to anybody, very incon-
veniently located for the accommodation of the
people of this State. 1t receives the $l5 600 each
year, the chairs are all filed by thirteen pro-
fessorS; the average attendance each term during
the years 1880 and 1881 was about 325-100 of
the pupils being from Vigo county and 40
non-residents of the State Two hundred little
boys and girls from the city of Terre Haute are
included in the grand total, and the balance of
the pupils come from the adjoining counties.
About twenty five students to each professor is
the sum and substance of Its record. And yet
those who have the honor of representing the
county will tell what grand institution it is.
But to enable it to thrive the State must give,
by way of specific appropriation, several thou
sand dollars to keep it in repair etc. The cata-
logue of the institution will be presented to you
showing grand total Of about 800 pupils, but
on close inspection you will find it includes those
200 little boys and girls from the county of Vigo
that are being educated by the State who are
enrolment. And it is to he hoped that before
you vote for an appropriation you will investi-
gate the working of the said Normal and
learn for yourselves the true condition
Of affairs. ~ And o.t another point desire
the members to, is the law which requires the
city Of Terre Haute to pay one-half the expenses
incurred in repairing and keeping the grounds in
order. think prior to 1879 see acts of that ses-
sion, page 68), the State had furnished all the
During that session it was claimed that Sic, 900
was needed to repair the building and make
other improvements, but when it became evident
to the gentleman who was advocating the expe-
diency of such an appropriation that the law
would be enforced for once, and whatever
amount the State gave the city would be obliged
to give the same, amount then 81, 1000 was ample
from the State.
It is said that the tuition of those institutions
is Free but the railroad fare from Indianapolis 10
either of the places where the institutions
are located will equal the tuition, so that is no
inducement to persons who live in the north
and east part of the State
There must be other attractions TO induce
young men and women from the north end of the
State to attend the State institutions of Indiana
Our three State educational institutions require
about sixteen trustees, and large number of
| secretaries, treasurerS janitors ard librarians.
By consolidation at least two-thirds of the
officers and employees can be dispensed with.
Unite the State Library with the fragments of
libraries that we now have at the institutions,
and the expenses will be reduced fully one half,
and it win give us library that is a credit to
the State, compared with our present ones.
What has been said heretofore about the STATE
Normal can be applied with equal force to the
Indiana University, and as a portion of the
buildings of the University have recently been
destroyed by fire, which is misfortune to the
people of Monroe county, it should be a serious
question with the members of the Legislature
whether an appropriation should be made to re-
build again at that place. and thereby continue
the educational facilities of this State along a
few more years, in the old rut
of obscurity, or whether they will, by
proper legislation, withhold the appropriations
now provided for, and begin at once to prepare
for the construction of q State university at or
near Indianapolis am aware that some mem
Der will make the usual speech that is iEyariably
made while discussing these measures, and say
that the educational institutions are children
of the State and are entitled to be supported by
the State, and the guardian would be very UNI
friendly to her wards if she failed to do so.D 1t
is to be supposed that the members who have