The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-15

Mr. bamo orgor esked special leave OF toe
board to make few remarks on the subject OF
teaching German in the schools. a. this was the
last opportunity he would have before retiring
from the board. He looked at the matter ~
questions Of right policy, and necessity. he
did not propose to discuss 1t on the so-called
German or American aspect OF the question.
but he held that the State has invested the
board with certain powers, and laid down GER
tain laws both of . discretionary rs we'll as OF
mandatory character. He then quoted Section
al This law. he said. was as imperative and
binding as any other Law, and that he having
taken an oath TO fulfill his duties as school
com missioner could copscientiousiy do no less
than observe rigidly its requirements
1T 10 q lsmentable and noteworthy fact" he
continued. ''thst while the average American
citizsn-and don't apply this term in its mar
row sense-has . proper regard for the law
which affects only his neighbor, he Is rather lax
in those which concern himself only. might
cite many instances OF this character. but do not
wish to take W the time Of this board. Let Us
be true to ourselves; let us obey the law We
find it and not a. CDR prejudicss may interpret
IL, even If such Interpretation be furnished by
paid attorneys. Let the Legislature change the
present law and give the power to the mem
bers Of school boards TO prepare such
courses Of studies as they may deem proper.
Let the board be responsible to the people of the
city who have to foot the bills. and not Tie the
hands of members on questions which call for
the exercise of their very best Judgment. We
are told that the teaching Of German il an inno-
walton upon the Consritution, which merely pro-
vides for q system of eommon-school education.
jocularly known as the three RS. Since last
Saturday / am forced to the admission that
large number of so-callsd intellieent people can
be found in this city who are earnest in this be-
lief. German is an innovation. so is Latin aud
Greek. so would be our hieh-school
and training school Who 10 there in
outside Of this board who would
for . moment advocate tho abolition Of these
branches OF our school system, imparting a
higher education to the masses, the benefits of
which have been felt in thousands of homes in
this cityl Let rs consider for few brief mo-
ments the question of policy. There are large
number of Germans in this city who do not pat
ronize the public schools; they send their chill
dren to private fecta-iAn schools This, of
course. 10 their business and we cannot object
there are At present 400 children of German
parents attending such schools--their parents
are all Taxpayers and contribute in no ANAL
degree to the comm on school fund from which.
by their own choice, they derive no benefit
suppose these people would change their
mind-and hope the day is not far distant
when they will do so-snd they will demand for
their children tho privileges Of our public school
system; then we would be under the necessity
to erect new buildings at once at cost OF $50
900 and spend annually from $4,000 to So. 900
more for tuition and incidentaIs than We do
below SIC, 900 annually. Hence II we look upon
the money side of the question it would be
a saving to the board to retain tho German
in its present FORM" ca
Mr.. Bsmbereer. continuing. referred to the
pride tho Germans had In being American citi-
Gems. and to the love they possessed for free in.
situations They believe that the money spent
for the teaching of German goes far to counter
act the influence Of the private sectarian schools
upon the youth OF this country. He said there
was no danger that the teaching of German
would Gsrmanize Americans; on the contrary
IL would Americanize the Germaas. Upon the
question OF necessity for . discontinuance of
German he denied that English instruction suf-
fered At the expense OF the German. There was
plenty of room for the accommodation of all
English students who wished to enter school.
and at no time had any been turned
away, as some alleged. He thought if
such q condition came about or was proved
TO exist that the board would DO recreant TO its
trust to allow il to continue. He thought on
the question OF the financial status of the
schools that it was deplorable that the city at
the present time had to support the schools on
a rate of taxation made when it was only
half a. large as it now In Expenses, he said.
have materially increased. but income has de-
creased. Nevertheless. by frugal management
the Indebtedness Of the board has be en- reduced,
although the standing and merit of the schools
have been maintained In conclusion, he ex-
horted to the board to keep the schools at their
present high standard. and to suffer them under
no circumstances to deteriorate. At the conclu-
sion of Mr.. Bambsrger's address the board ad-