The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-13

reorganized board, upon which no repre-
sentative Of any institution, state or
nonstate, is found, the nonstate institutions
can come into closest touch with the COM
mon school system and the general educa-
ttonal work OF the State, This they should
do, and this they desire 10 do Such a
board can exercise supervision over all in
stitutionS OF higher education 80 far as
their charters will permit. Many, perhaps
all, Of these charters will not permit such
wise supervision. Where they do not, they
should wisely be modified The state and
nOnstate institutions can, under such super
vision, measure themselves with one anoth-
er as TO standards of scholarship and quail
ity OF work lone to the common advantage
of both. Let such legislation be also passed
that where an institution shall not reach
an honorable standard Of work, it shall
thereby lose its charter and its pretended
character as a school Of higher learning.
1t may be asserted without any fear OF
successful contradiction that the present
constitution Of our state board with its en-
tangHng alliances with the state institu-
tons, is sadly keeping down the standard
of our common school system. The welfare
of the common schools of Indiana and tsse
best interests of the half million school
children who are in these schools call i'm
peratively for the reorganization OF the
state board. In what has thus been said
there can be no criticism Of the gentlemen
who, as heads of our state institutions, are
upon the state board. They have indiydu-
ally said that they do not care to be upon
the board and if the State shall relieve them
thew will gladly acGIIiesce in the change
The issue, therefore, is not with them, but
with that unfair legislation which Is hold
then, at the first opportunity. change it,
WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
''Once more. The time has fully come for
the State of Indiana to ask itself how it
may best expend all moneys available for
educational purposes, whether coming from
school funds, tax levy or special appropria-
tions in the broadcast, wisest way to pro-
duce the largest number of good citizens.
Let anyone examine the three recent classic
reports of the National Educational Asso-
citation on secondary education, elementary
education and rural schools, and let him
apply the suggestions and principles laid
down in these to our actual existing con-
dtions in Indiana We must do more for
cur rural schools and must do 1t at once.
We must lengthen the school term. We
must also do more for higher education In
teachers more, and thus obtain better
teachers. We should have free kindergar-
tens far and wide throughout the State.
We should introduce working in metal and
wood among the boys in the grades and
sewing and cooking among the girls. Not
only is this the expert judgment Of a great
national committee of educators, but it is
common sense appealing to all. Again, there
is a. widespread cry just and well timed,
for professional teachers and professional
supervisors, in the true and best sense Of
the word professional, How shall these be
obtained? Not, / think. by the short and
easy method of a life-license which may
only keep in the schools those who keep
in the ruts. but by SO paying TEACHERS cher ana ana
non-state schools, and well tested and re-
tested by examinations, that teaching ana
also experimenting shall not be mere
work. Indiana needs to-day to cast political
influence out Of education in high places
It out. It." she R needs larger self
respect cultivated among her educators
through good pay for good work done by
good men and good women. And especial
~ must this good work be done in the low
er grades and in the country schools. How
much more money can we raise through
teal question. Careful and wide observers
of both political parties tell me that our
height of unwisdom to Increase them at
present, even for the best ends. Shall we
the higher education, by costly state aid'
facilities which already exist and are Of
fered to the people without cost to the
State, and at as low an expense TO the
student, while we are neglecting the crying
needs of the masses, whom we are taxing,
for whose education in the common schools
our existing Constitution alone provides. Is
this wise or right? Is it not false policy
upon its face? We may we'll rejoice that
when the present maintenance tax for our
higher state schools was passed, the repre-
sentatives of these institutions gave pledges
that the permanent levy being granted,
they would not ask for further special APP
preparations. Whatever further moneys the
State can spare from its treasury and from
the earnings of it's citizens, even with sac
rifce let 1t give for the educational work
Of the State where educational privileges
are as uniform as taxation for these privi-
leges and where private benevolence has
not provided advantages. Let US be very
liberal TO the common schools, and let us
not take from these for the benefit of the
few who can care for themselves. and for
whom private benevolence has already
cared. The State has given between two
and three millions to her higher institutions
of learning during the last thirty years.
She is now giving annually, practically
100000 IN educational taxes which these in
SfitufiOnS receive in addition 70 their other
sources of income. The State has been very
generous, whether or not this has been
wise. Let private benefactOrS rival this gen.
crosby. Let the non-state institutions share
with those of the state the gifts of those
present fine equipment for good work and
the good work which they are doing, why
should the state schools not attract such
private aid?
DUTY OF THE MINISTER
Possibly some one may ask, why bring
these matters before such a gathering as
this. The answer is that this is a gathering
Of men interested in the best things for the
State. None has a deeper concern for the
advancement of education than the Chris
tian laymen and the Christian minister.
The Christian citizen always has been, and
always will be, the best friend, the most
earnest and wisest promoter of the public
schools and of the agencies of higher Gull
ture, both public and private. To these we
appeal and to the State through these
l.
mittee on aid for colleges, reported that the
most encouraging phase of church college
education is "a disposition to develop a
school trust with the power in the hands
of the executive officers of the state
schools" The report recommends that leg
islation in this direction should be watched
carefully and that measures should be taken
to have unjust laws already on the stat
ute books repealed Mr.. William II. Weaver
said he had heard Vice Chancellor Hick-
man, of De PAW, say 1.-The state schools
had to go" and that the denominations are
unanimously for it. Mr.. Weaver said he did
not believe they were unanimous for it. DR..
Fisher president of Hanover, replied:
There is a man who has recently been
given high position and who has spoken
at length on the question at issue, but he
doesn't know anything about it," After the
discussion the following resolution was
passed:
whereas, The Synod of Indiana has lis
tened with interest to the address of DIR.
Burroughs, president of Wabash College,
on Indiana's present duty to education,
therefore,
Resolved, That, seeking light from all
quarters, the synod desires to express its
thanks to DR.. Burroughs for the sentiments
therein expressed touching the discrimina-
ton made by the State of Indiana, through
its existing legislation, against the nonstate
institutions of higher learning, and they
urge such reorganization of the State
Board of Education as shall avoid such ciS-
elimination.
BAPTIST CONVENTION.