The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-01
HIGHER EDUCATION.
Is 1t the Duty of the State to Provide
Facilities for Special Training:

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
The removal or abandonment of the State
University is a matter worthy the most
careful attention of the representatives of
the coming Legislature. 1t is a subject that
ought to be thoroughly agitated by the
platform and press of the State. 1t should
be considered thoughtfully, without bias or
prejudice, and dealt with fearlessly and
courageously. This is an age of rapid living
and large increases of public expenses. The
time is coming when the taxpayers will de-
mand of their legislators that they cut off
all appropriations not coming strictly with
in the spirit of the Constitution and COM
mon law of the land. They will demand
legislation only on matters properly per-
tanning to the public service and for the
good of all the citizens alike. In appro-
priating the peoples money every legislator
should conscientiously purpose to do 1.-The
greatest good to the greatest number" The
only right principle of taxation is to pro-
duce the greatest efficiency in public service
with the least burden upon the people. To
do this it will be necessary to study well
the organic law and Constitution of the
State and follow closely their spirit and
purpose Unnecessary public expenses will
be cut off, class legislation will be avoided
and the will Of the people will be needed.
University, and, in fact, az the State insti-
tuttons for higher education, the Legislature
should go to the bottom of the question
and see if there is any authority or solid
grounds for the continual appropriation for
the support of these institutions. Is it not
class legislation of the rankest kind to tax
the whole mass of the people for the sup
port OF these institutions, whose advantages
ere available only to favored few of the
State? Is it right that the State should
pay from $500 to $1,000 year for each stu
dent in these State schools for higher Gull
common schools of the State is to receive
but about 81 each for his or her education?
The purpose and intent of the school law of
the land is that every child shall have fair
and equal advantages and encouragement In
securing an education. Equality before the
law is the cornerstone of all equity and
right The case probably might be different
were there no colleges in the State to supply
the needs in the line of a higher and more
colleges with curricula liberal and
progressive, and with appliances for inves-
tfgation into the sciences as perfect as those
of the State institutions, it seems like an
unnecessary and useless expense to ask
the State to come into competition in this
line of work. 1t is not the duty of the State
Legislature has not the right to appropriate
the peoples money for this purpose. Col
the province of church support and manage
ment, and are worthy objects for the he
quests of the rich and philanthropic of the
land All that President Swain claims for
the State University is furnished by the
other colleges of the State-intellectual
freedom and expansion, special qualificat ton
in all the sciences young men trained in
plain living and high thinking" respect for
law and order. Some of the brightest minds
that have honored the State are the prod
ucts of these other colleges. DR.. John NJ.
Coulter, one of the foremost scholars and
scientists of the day, was educated al
Hanover College.
This subject is one that is hard to con-
slider, properly. as the masses cannot be
heard: they have no equal chance with the
professional lobbyist that raid the Legis-
lature every session. Their cry is always
or more appropriations, and their song.
like that of the professional labor leader.
is more salary and less work" But If the
question could be presented to the people in
Is proper light and then submitted to their
votes, believe the popular voice would
be largely against the State institutions
The people would reason this way: 1t is the