The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-15
THE GETTING BILL.
Graduates OF All Schools Should
stand on Equality.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal
BY the introduction of the Geeting edu-
cation bill, a monumental tribute to the
state superintendent ambitious fidelity,
the members of the Legislature seem to
have been constituted court of arbitra-
tors between the presidents of the so-called
nonstate. UNCONVENTIONAL, schools and
the State Board of Public Education, or
more directly between the nonstate col
leges and the indiana State Normal School
AS one intimately connected with de-
nom;national college, and equally as an
educator that has given ten or twelve
years of earnest service to state educa-
IiOn, and as Il gentleman ana thinker whose
economic phiioSopnlc lnYeStigatlo
still often tempt nm to re-enlei the STATE
scnooi service, / deeply regret me appar-
ent antagOnlsm Of these two great systems
OF human culture. Yet, a. process In the
evolution OF equity ana fairness, must but
welcome the 2SltatlOn.
Despite Iresldent SWANS reputed state
ment mat The denomlnational SCHOOL has no
place IN an educational system, the State
school ana the denomInatlonai schools are
all members or ii common family. IL, how
ever, historic priority belongs 10 either, 1t
surely be.ongs TO the nonsIate school. If
either one is the begotten OF the other, most
certainly the pubic school system is the
OFFSPRING oil the older institution. If either
is the supply stauon or replenlshing ar
senal, so TO speak, for the other, the line
of travel for renew al of strength and vigor
is without DOUBT much the rather toward
the nCnstate than toward the normal
Schooi average university. But botn
systems are essentially one. Both are sup
pied by the common blood or the State.
Both in turn richly contribute to the State 5
wealth-economic. social, professional Let
both, therefore. appear before the Legis-
lature. not foes, but as kinsmen. Let
the younger and smaller. withal, dispose
herself with a seemly and respectful be-
havior in the presence of her senior. Let
neither demand the earth. Let neither
surfer at your trustworthy bar.
The vital point of difference seems to be
this question Shall the diploma OF the In
diana State Normal School constitute a Ii
cense To teach, good for life without re-
newal by examination? The Legislature s
yes, or your no involves not alone the
interests OF many of your constituents, but
ton for equity. Permit me to suggest that
the Legislature say no TO this question.
And why? For several reasons. Chiefly.
because. in saying yes it will place too
high price upon an ordinary commodity.
1t would be a mistaken. an exaggerated
value Life-tenure. historically, Is a boon,
a prize, something 10 agoniZe for IL has,
| i'm the worlds history. been associated with
the immortals of the French Academy.
with supreme justices and chief justices.
| with most distinguished services of inven,
| ton and discovery. with rarest ex-
cellence of nobility of character or
| in the domains or original investigation in
| letters and science and philosophy. or with
| the security of important governmental
| functions. etc. | know OF no life tenure Of
|
| great Commonwealth of Indiana. In Geo.
| Monies. life tenures and even long limited
| tenures in the matter Of franchises and
| land holdings are regarded as dangerous
| and hostile 10 the common good. In pro-
| fessIonal affairs. assured life tenures
| ieoparCiize ambitions best endeavor and in
/ vite stagnation of effort. Then. why should
| the attachments of a State normal school
be selected as specially worthy of such
| signal honor?
| State normal schools are most beneficeni
| institutions. God honor and bless the noble
corps of self-sacrifcing young men and
women, who. for lack OF better opportuni-
| ties within their reach and often because
of institutional influences sometimes toe
| prejudicial and political. feel compelled to
| enter the State normals All honor &c
| them Thank Providence for the normal
| threshold opening to welcome them. But
| however Well adapted to its need, however
| benefcent q may be. normal school re-
| mains. and so long as present conditions
| last. must ever remain, a normal school
| Internationally spec king, there is nothing
| advanced or exalted in the courses or meth
DDS of any normal school. In the States