The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-14

few weeks course in the summer schools
During the school year 1S96-9l there Were
sted IN the catalosGG ohree ba smnerin
tendents of the three principal city schools
of that county and earning salaries amply
sufficient to enable them &c pay for any
special instruction they might desire to re-
ceive. One of these took special course
in history, another in botany and announcer
in some special branch. Now, it is not right
that the people of the State should be taxed
to give these privileged ones special adj
vantages to the great neglect of the masses
Of the State. Much has been said as to the
comparative expense of running state ana
a nonstate college. Suffice 1T to say that
last year the three state institutions got
about $780, 900, employed 165 professors and
tutors and had in attendance 22o6 students.
Nine nonstate schools received for their
tutors and had in attendance 5,251 students
In other words, it costs four times as much
to educate under state control as 1t does
under private management. rms is no
doubt accounted for by reason of the de-
sire of our state schools to ape the man
neTs and methods of the Eastern and for
eign universities where each professor
teaches only half a dozen classes a week.
In the private colleges they teach from
three to six classes a day. 1t is not sur
prising that the professors who are enjoy
ing nice positions in state institutions are
crying loudly for their support by the
State. All along the line of higher educa-
ton there has been general movement to
increase salaries and lessen work. The
high-priced specialist, if allowed to go on.
will get his work down to one or two les
sons week or hire a substitute to do his
entire work. Such seems to be the drift of
things in this boasted age of enlightenment
and civilization.
1t is time to call halt in the whole bust
ness. The next Legislature will no doubt
have the question up for consideration.
1t is not party question, and should not
be so considered 1t is the peoples equal
rights that should be secured and the
special privileges cut off.
The Republicans of Hamilton county, in
their recent mass convention, passed the
following resolution without dissenting
voice. and with much enthusiasm:
I'VE believe that there should be no APP
preparation by the General Assembly of
Indiana nor leVies of taxation made that
are not sanctioned and authorized by the
Constitution of the State. We believe that
the appropriation of the peoples money for
the support of the few in higher, special
and technical education is wrong, is unjust
and unfair to the great army of 10000
school children of the State, and is con-
trary to the spirit and genius of our form
of government"
many other public questions and has not re-
ceiVed attention of one out of ten Of the
taxpayers of the State. 1t is a case of in
difference and Ignorance on the part of the
general public and all the while the uni
Versity lobby has been getting in its work
1t is organized now for the next Legisla-
ture, to bleed the taxpayers of the State
still deeper. 1t is time for the taxpayers
of the State to become aroused on the sub
ject. The general welfare of all the chill
dren of the State and of pOSterlty itself
demands that every boy and girl in the
State should have equal privileges ard OPP
portunities as every other boy and girl, so
far as taxation and legislation are con-
cerned. 1t is time to assert the great prln-
ciples of justice equality and fairness, and
wipe from the statute books every vestige
of caste and ariStocracy.
WILL Fl. CRAIG.
Noblesville, Ind, March IL.