The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-28
Free Tuition in Colleges.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journ


There is yet something to be said con-
corning free tuition in our colleges. Not
one really provides free instruction in any
branch, so far as / have heard In all,
charges of various sorts are made, SO that
the annual contribution by each student
is often as much as would be asked by
an institution which depends for
it's support entirely upon tuition
receipts. Such payments by students
make a large sum yearly and should be
taken into consideration by the State Leg
islature when the annual appropriation is
made. TIE total cost of the State institu-
lions OF learning to the people of the State
is in no sense measured by the amount
of money drawn from the State treasury.
These schools are far from being free and
have no justification on that basis. The
writer of this desired to enter the Indiana
University, after graduating from COM
mercial high school, but was unable to
do so on account of the expenses being
too great, and compelled to seek his
higher education in a private school. The
State, in it's most excellent public schools,
has assisted thousands of poor boys and
girls, because such schools are free, but
in it's university has not assisted one who
lives outside of Monroe county.
On Monday of this week the Legislature
was visited by two hundred young men
IL
Danviile rather than elsewhere because
they here secure the instruction they de-
sire for less money. 1t occurred to me- on
seeing this fine body of young people re-
turning from the station, that their pres
sence here is an object lesson for the peo-
pie of the State They, with two hundred
others who did not go on the excursion
represent three-fourths of the counties of
the State The tuition they pay supports
the college and yet their expenses are much
less than elsewhere. They visited the Leg
commendable one of seeing their legislators
at work. They have no interest in the work
of that body other than that felt by all
good citizens. They went with no idea of
making demonstration of any kind, but
1t should be known that they are from
a college which for ten years has annually
other. This fact would have no especial
significance at this time were 1t MT that
the college has received no help from State
appropriation or private endowment. 1t in
dictates that while the people of the State
are paying heavy taxes to support institu-
tons of learning they are largely educating
The course of the journal in fairly pre-
senting all sides of the great question
now before the people is highly commend
able. 1t can but do good to know all
The action of the Republican caucus in
recorsdezing its action in taking the APP
viii meet ". favor among teachers Of
the State 1t certainly would not have
been wise politically 10 offend this infiuen-
tial body of voters, who are much inclined
to be independent anyway. Teachers of
civil government now find their best Illus
trations of extreme partisanship VS. fair
ness in the conduct of recent Indiana Leg
islatures and it is hoped that the present
one will afford a contrast. 1t is most de-
sirable that the administration of gov
eminent in Indiana be consistent with that
of the United States. the highest model
known TO man. c. A. HARGRAyE.
Danyille. Ind, Feb. 26.