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

cations of County superintendent.
The House was opened with prayer by the
Rev. Gillett, of the Southeast Indiana Con-
ference.
Mr. Taylor from the committee on rights and
privileges, returned Mr.. Townsend's bill LEI. r.
99l, to abolish all distinctions of race and color,
with a recommendation that it be indefinitely
postponed Mr. Gooding moved that it be re-
committed to the committee on judiciary.
THE RIGHTS OF THE NEGRO.
Mr.. Townsend, in support of his bill said: 81
am decidedly interested in that bill. am inter
ested in it all the more because it does not
affect only the $4,000 coored people in
this State, but it affects large class
of white citizens as we'll, and before the recon-
mitment of the bill | should be very glad to be
favored with the opportunity of making some re-
marks in reference to it. I think 1 would be
able to show most conclusively that the colored
people of this State are Disseminated against.
Mr. Browning-I cannot see any reason why
this bill should be recommitted. The only right
the colored people do not possess is the right to
be members of the State militia. That is Con-
sttutional provision which cannot be reached by
a bill of this character. The only right which is
not already guaranteed is the right of amalga-
nation and am opposed to giving them that
right.
Mr. Townsend-That is Just the attitude I as
sumo upon this question. 1 take the position
that the law as it now stands does discriminate
both against white and black.
The motion TO Recomnait was agreed to-
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT LICENSE.
Mr.. McHenrys bill lei. r. 81 to provide for
the election of county school superintendent at
the general election in 1886, and that they first
secure a teachers license from the State Board
of Education, was reported back with an amend
ment that the time of the first election shall be
in 1877 The amendment was rejected.
Mr. Smith, of Tippeeanoe offered an amend
ment requiring county superintendent to hold
special professional license instead of teachers
license. He said there is great demand for an
elevation in the standard of county superlntend-
ents and with this demand I believe the license
proposed would be one of the highest incentives
that was ever offered to any young man to press
forward and secure it, We would find in every
county in the State ten, fifteen Or twenty young
men applying for this license.
Mr.. Patten: / think the amendment offered by
the gentleman from Tippecanoe is nothing more
than fair and should be adopted.
Mr. French offered a substitute striking out
all referring to the qualifications of county SUI
perintendents He said he had had some ezpe
rience as county superintendent and had had
the pleasure of knowing good many county
superintendent of this State. He thought the
county superintendent were of a high standard,
and that they are constantly raising the stand
ard of education.
Mr. Loyd-I have the good fortune to repre-
sent county that has always been competent
under the existing laws to select her own county
superintendent. Our county superintendent
have been taken from among the teachers of the
county. They have given satisfaction. There
fore 1 shall oppose any class of legislation that
will put restraint upon the people of my
county telling them what kind of superintend-
ent they shall have. Under our present laws
Indiana has advanced to the position as the
foremost State in the Union in education.
Therefore system is and must be wise one,
and shall always oppose any bill which shall
compel county school superintendent to have
special professional license.
Mr. McMullen-I think it is recognized fact
that the different professions are always reach
ing out for more power We find the doctors,
the lawyers and the school teachers continually
reaching out for more power, taking it away
from the people. We never heard Of a court of
limited jurisdiction; doctors and school-teach-
ers are similar in that respect am opposed to
deegating the rights of the people to few men.
People have the right to say who shall be their
superintendent as much as any other body has
to appoint their own officers. Our school super
intendents rank with the school superintendent
of any other State. / am in favor of the substi-
tute.
The substitute was adopted, and the bin was
ordered engrossed for the third reading.