Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-13

of other states.
The house has killed the free text
book bill by jerks and Sweeley's pro-
posal to allow cities to own and con-
troll telephone systems has suffered a
like fate.
Library Bill Recommended.
The Barley bill, which raises the
limit of library tax in cities of q 5000
and over from ~. to 2 mills has been
recommended for passage. Another
library measure favorabiy reported
is that OF Alexander, which has passed
the senate, which requires cities re-
ceiving gifts or requests for libraries
to carry out the terms of the same,
and giving the library board powers
to mandamus the council if refractory.
Des Moines, March 10.
In the house today there was pre-
scented a bill which is of first import
ance to the educational system of the
state, and which if it becomes law, will
revolutionize existing methods. This
is nothing less than Q proposition to
constitute a new board of control
which shall have special supervision of
the state university, agricultural col
lege and state normal school. The
board Of trustees and regents. as now
constituted, are to be abolished, and
the whole power Of management is to
be vested in the new board of three
men. to be named by the governor.
Through the kindness of Represent
alive Payne of Appanoose, who per-
mitted me to read the bill in advance
of its presentation, | am enabled to
give a resume of it's provisions. Its
title recites the purpose of the bill to
create a board of managers and pro
viding that it's powers shall extend to
any future schools and colleges OF the
state. Then follow twenty-four sec
tons, carefully and Laboratory drawn,
covering every contingency and defin-
ing the duties of the new board in all
its relations with the institution. Up
on the adjournmet of the legislature
the governor is to appoint three cleo
tors of the state, no two to be from he
same congressional district and not
more thar two to be of the same po-
litical faith. They are to hold office
for two. four and six years, the length
of their terms respectively to be desig-
mated by the governor at the time OF
appointment. These appointments
must be confirmed by a two-thirds ma
jority of the senate in executive ses-
sion. All subsequent appointments
are to be made for a term of six years.
!, All nominations sent to the senate are
to be referred to a special committee
: of five members, not more than three
of whom shall be of the same political
faith, and this committee shall report
to the senate upon the nominees. The
+ chairman of this board is to be the one
whose term first expires, n each
member is to receive a yearly salary
+ of $1,000, and shall provide a bond Of
5000. The members are prohibited
from holding any other Office of prof
during their term of office or for ont
year thereafter. No person shall be
appointed who within ten years priol
: shall have been upon the faculty o.
any of the educational institutions. OF
ficers are to be provided at the capito
building, and a secretary is provided
for at a salary of $1,000 per year.
The bill also prescribed rules fol
the employment of such assistance as
may be needed to carry on the bust
ness of the Office. 1t provides for the
J. allowance of travelling n other eX
V penses and specifies the manne il
d which accounts shall be kept, verified
t. and presented. The board is givel
II full power of management and control
d subject only to the limitations of thu
V constituting act. The board shall
Y meet and organize within ten day
G after the appointments are made an
# shall assume charge of their duties
After July j of the present year all eS
A. listing regents and trustees of the in
stitutions are to be abolished. Thi
1T bill is not to be construed as limitini
v the supervisory power of the Cover
nor as constitutionally given, but tn
N powers now vested in the governor
81 executive council and superintendent
re OF public instruction are to cease t
e. exist. The board is required at leas
I'd once in six months TO visit and inves
tigate the institutions under thei
charge and ascertain the financial col
dition. Power is given to eXamin
&c witnesses under oath and to compt
IN the attendance of witnesses when d.
s. sired. Biennial reports shall be mad
We to the governor and the general a
~ sembly as to the needs of the institl
I'd lions and shall submit estimates {
be appropriations needed or legislatio
desired for the betterment of tn
same. 1t shall have full power t
prepare plans for all buildings, repair
and improvements when the san
> would cost more than $1,000. TIL
board shall select all instructors
~ other members of the faculty or of
~ GERS OF the schools and colleges. sha
fix their salaries and define their du
ne les. 1t shall have full power an
ill management OF the property; shall a
range the courses of study and pr
in scribe the conditions under whic
lis diplomas shall be granted. The Sc
ro- lions which give the board power
in purchase all supplies are complete al
es the entire bill is so arranged that tt
of faculties are relegated to the place
re- which they are supposed to fill.
re will shut off the educational lobby ar
tu- substitute in its place a responsib
es, body, whose conclusions will be liste
sse ed to with respect and whose recoI
ire mendations will be based on caref
to study of the needs from the stan
he point of practical men rather than tt
will ideas of theorists. Temple, Hurd al