The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-28

State Legislature to establish schools high
er than the common school is not only not
forbidden. but IS most surely implied. Mr.
Craig says it is not a difference between
the state and honstate schools but between
the taxpayer and an educational trust. Does
he mean to imply that every man who is
elected to the office of Governor of the State
of Indiana Immediately becomes either a
dupe or knaye? for the Governor is ex
Offfcio president of the State Board of Edu-
cation, and therefore at the head of the
trust. Does he mean to imply that the
superintendent of public instruction be-
comes villain as soon as he enters upon
the duties of his office? That is manufac-
turing Mr. Hydes out of respectable, self
respecting Dr. Jekyls at a pretty rapid
rate for state superintendentS 'do NOT have
a long term of once.
But the worst arraignment is of our State
Legislators, when he claims that all the
legislators have been so ignorant and stupid
that they knew nothing of the Constitution
ed and permitted themselves to be bought
sold and delivered at the dictation of ward
bummers-otherwise educational Hobbies"
This is the most unkindest cut of ALL If
/ had ever had the honor to be a state legis-
lator / should request that eX-speaker who
so frankly acknowledged that he ignorantly
fell into the trap which the willy educational
spider set for unwary legislative flies. to
speak for himself. If he must write speak
er before his name, a great many intelli-
gent citizens are glad that he also must
prefix eX.
Are not all of the State institutions open
to all of the people of the State, irrespective
of sex or race? Cannot each citizen of In
diana sends his sons and daughters to
either of the State colleges? Such has been
my understanding and yet Mr.. Craig writes
as though only certain favored classes were
permitted to enter the State schools. l
know scores of men and women who were
poor, struggling boys and girls who have
made their ways through the State Normal
or the other State schools and are now fill
ing positions of usefulness and honor: these
same young people in spite of all their sac
rifices must have given up the struggle had
not the State reached out its beneficent
hoy1 do mn for hAn fn
severe. Neither is it to the discredit of
teachers that they receive pay for their
work. So do ministers; the more able the
preacher the larger the salary. just as the
more efficient the teacher the more pay.
THE laborer is worthy of his hire" What
ever Mr.. Craigs business or profession may
be, l will venture the assertion that he
is not in it solely for the love of it.
But, aside from these considerations, it is
ton which is Objectionable. Instead of stat
ing what he believes to be facts calmly and
JudIciaiy he he tries n to stir up III Will by APP
to the pocketbook. He says nothing of the
influence for more intelligent, more pat
rotic citizenship that emanates from the
thousands of students who have been
trained in these institutions. He says moth
ing of the men and women from these col
legeS who have reflected credit upon the
State by their achievements in the world
Of thought. The safety and welfare of the
Maen nd upon the ann ne tbe
trainers of the Constitution of Indiana of
1916 builded wisely when among other
things, they provided as follows: "Knowl-
through a community being essential to the
preservation of a free government, and
spreading the opportunities and advantages
of education through the various parts of
the country being highly conducive to this
end, it shall be the duty OF the General AS
sembly to provide by law for general syS-
tenn of education ascending in a regular
graduation from township schools to state
university wherein tuition shall be free
and equally omen to all
Now. as to the pocketbook. The General
Assembly meets once in two years; it APP
prOpriated. according to Mr.. Craig, at its
last meeting $4,000 for the three State
colleges, which would be less than % cents
cents per capita each year-not an i'm
mense sum to pay that Indiana may rank
at least equal with her sister States in facil
tiles for higher education for whatsoever
who are opposed to the higher education
by the State could succeed in closing these
great institutions, the next attack would be
upon the city and town high schools. for
taxpayers of the towns. and only a very
small per cent. of those entering school
graduate from the high school or even enter
And now final word-that some abuses
have grown up in the administration of our
school system is conceded that some de-
fects exist in the system is also apparent
Let us correct the abuses but not destroy
the system. Let us remedy the defect by
wise legislation. But by all that patriotic
back one hundred years. Let us assert
the great principles of justice. equality and
fairness" by leaving open to every boy and
girl, young man and woman an equal
chance for an education from the primary
school to the university. H. H. D.