The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-12
APPROPRIATIONS TO COLLEGES.
A Matter Which Comes Directly Home
to Taxpayers.
Journal Of Hanover College.

The Legislature of Indiana at the session
Just closed made the roiiSWhng Step Mor-
NAL $4,000: Purdue University. SlS,5OO.
total of s33, $40. The nonstate college men
made no effort to defeat these appropria-
tions. A president of one of the state col
leges bitterly complained. that an indirect
result of the struggle. of which the Geet-
defeat of any considerable appropriation
for his institution No doubt he was right
in this opinion; and the nonstate men nave
no regrets as to this indirect consequence
of their work. Nevertheless. be it under
stood that they confined themselves to eff
forts TO secure a fair State Board of Edu-
cation and a fair legislation as 10 life Ii
But the time has come for the people of
Indiana to speak plainly on the subject of
as the mouthpiece of n college. but Cit
liens and taxpayers. The solicitation OF
these special appropriations from the Legs
lature this year was gross breach OF faith,
according TO the best information TO be had
on the subject. When two years ago law
was passed providing for tax for the ben
eft of these state colleges, both the Legis-
lature and the public unquestionably under
stood that this would bring to an end all
requests hereafter from this quarter for
specific appropriations. Nothing save some
tremendous calamity, such the destruc-
ton of buildings on an extensive scale by
fire, could have made their request for spe-
cific appropriations other than a gross
breach of faith.
In fact. what their friends have said
really comedies the wrong of it, In the
House the breach of faith was openly and
repeatedly charged. and in words so strong
and burning that the like has seldom been
heard in legislative debate. To this, the re-
Spouse made was the very weak retort,
that though the Nicholson liquor bill was
supposed TO cover all needed legislation on
that subject yet its author was there again
seeking additions 10 il. Such a reply is a
confession of guilt. In the public press.
the president of the State Normal defended
this new raid on the treasury, by the plea
that his institution did not get by the tax
as much as IL had asked Feeble as is this
defense. even this has been shown I'm the
public press, by man OF well known stand
ing and ability. not 10 be true.
The total amount of these appropriations
is not large. The important thing is the
principle at stake. The precedent is now
set and IL threatens to be followed at every
session of the Legislature. The educational
lobby, notorious for its greed and persis-
tence. Will hereafter not be conspicuous by
IL absence, as was hoped when the tax was
levied for the state educational institu-
tons; but by its presence and its demand
for ever increasing specific appropriations.
Even Vincannes University" left in the
lurch this time. will be back again I'm two
years. hungrier than heretofore.
People who are not familiar with legisla-
lures wonder how appropriations under
ably the great majority of the members
of the two houses were convinced that they
should not be made. and apart from other