The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-21

amendment Mr.. Roberts, of Jefferson,
moved to strike out the enacting clause,
which, If adopted, would kill the bill In
support of his motion, Mr.. Roberts said
that this bill, If it became a law, would
make the schools of Indiana the laughing
stock of the country. He claimed that it
was iinpracticable in theory and in fact.
He held that the State owes it to no man
or class of men to teach his or their par
ticular branch of work He reviewed the
bill, which requires that county superintend-
ents shall teach the elements of agricul-
ture. Mr. Roberts suggested that the teach
ers who attend county Institutes will furnish
the spectacle of 100 young women sitting
in a room listening to a lecture on THE De-
struction of Potato Bugs and kindred top
les. he asserted that the school courses are
too crowded now, and that it is not right
to compel the teachers to study agriculture
in addition to their present duties. 1t would,
he said. hurt the school SYSTEM
Mr. CaTaway. of Hancock, followed IN
opposition to the bill. and said he had fol-
lowed every step of school from the coun-
try school to city SUPPLEMENTARY, and he
claimed that for effects and practical re-
suits the schools of thirty years ago were
better than those of to-day, because so many
things have been brought into make them
superficial lie said that city pupils Go not
need instruction in agriculture and in the
country they have the practical experience.
TOO MUCH NOVEL READING.
Mr. Barlow. of Hendricks, said he was
astounded at the opposition. Said he: This
bin provides that teachers shall talk about
agriculture, shall explain how the corn
grows and how the hogs fatten. instead OF
lolling back in their chairs and reading
novels or theatrical stories I want my chill
dren to come home from school and tell me
of agricultural things instead of telling me
theatrical stories the teacher tells them. :"
Mr.. Barlow claimed that the object of the
bill is to prevent Capitalization in cities.
Mr.. Herrold of Laporte, began by saying:
Il am a farmer and came here right off
the grass, This scheme of teaching agricul-
ffpa fs only nd fc ha vic nI1a Txy
scheme of few old, male women, who ought
TO wear sunbonnets, and it is advocated
only by those who farm on paper. 1t is a
most ludicrous bill" He told how theoreti-
cal farming always results in financial loss,
said the farmers of Laporte want no more
red tape in schools and closed with the
statement that Institutes have been detri-
mental to the schools.
Mr. Cravens. of Washington, was strongly
in favor of the bill Said he: Il agree that
there Is too much red tape in the schools.
I4op off some of the Shakespeare, some of
the literature, some of the belle-ettres, some
of the Bacon. some of the Johnson. some
of the music and such frivolities and give
more attention to something practical, as the
growth of flowers and chemistry" MIR.
Cravens asserted that the farmers are the
heavy taxpayers of the country and they
vote for city measures ne said because
the city members say they need them He
claimed that the passage of this bill is de-
manded by nne-tenths of the farmers of
a fair trial.
Mr. Noel, of this city. stated that the news
papers. from state pride should not puD-
lish the speeches made on the bill. He was
surprised that any farmer should oppose this
bill and claimed that the argument that
county teachers cannot teach agriculture is
an argument in favor of the passage of the
bill
VOICE OF A FARMER.
Mr.. Blankenship, of Morgan, was next rec
ognized and announced: Il have plowed for
nineteen years. have bred hogs for twenty
years and / can spot a hog wherever / want
to. To teach agriculture is theoretical Girls
can't teach how to take worms out of a
turkeys throat. / defy the theoretical fell
lows, l would not give one bushy-headed
old farmer, with his hair full of hayseed, for
all the theoretical fellows in the country,
to instruct me in agriculture" He argued
that the way 20 learn agriculture is by prac-
teal work and closed by saying: Il am OPP
posed to the bill ! don't blame Brother
Barlow for working hard for it. but if Gov