The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-28
HOCn SAYS LOOK.
Calls Attention to Neglect of
Country Schools.
Millions Are Lavished Upon
State Institutions.
OTHERS NEGLECTED.
[ C-or4es Tbaf kho 0uskaa =
OTHERS NEGLECTED.
Suggests That the System Be
Reformed.
Would Have But One Board of
Regents.

situations Of higher education this af-
ternoon outlined a plan of reform in
the management of these institutions
which Is certain to arouse much dis
cussion throughout the state.
It was pointed out by the governor
that the last two sessions of the legis-
lature have given $3.544,214 to the
State university. State Agricultural
college and State Normal school.
while no direct state aid has been
given to the common schools and
high schools Of the state.
Governor Hoch also recommended
the appointment of two committees.
one composed Of lawyers to consider
the legal status of the case, and an
other committee to consider the
advisability of changing the present
system OF management. The COVER
nor intimates that he would like to
see all of the institutions placed un-
der the control of one board OF
regents, instead of having a separate
board for each school. He suggested
another meeting later in the summer
to receive reports from these COM
mittees.
The meeting was attended by near
ly all of the regents and directors Of
the three state institutions. The
chancellor of the university and presi
dents of the other schools were pres
ent, and the meeting was also at
tended by State Superintendent E. T.
Fairchild, who under the law is given
the right to supervise the work of the
three institutions right which it
appears has never been exercised.
Governor Hoch said in part:
81 have called you together gentle
men for the purpose of considering
with you in somewhat informal
manner, at this initial meeting the
whole question of the educational sys-
tenn of Kansas, with particular refer
ence at this time to the relation of the
three state educational institutions to
each other and their relation to the
comm on schools of the state. 1t is
my hope that this may be the begin
ming of movement, which ultimate
| ly will make clearer by legislative
| authority the relation Of these great
| and growing institutions to each
| other; that shall more clearly define
| their proper spheres Of operation and
| result in greater unity and efficiency"
| Governor Hoch then gave in some de-
| tail the statutory and constitutional
provisions governing each of the three
| institutions. in summary of which he
| says: 1Se
| From a careful study. of these con-
| stitutional and statutory provisions, 1t
seems clear to me that the relation of
| these institutions to each other and OF
| each and all of them to the common
schools of the state and the relation of
| the state superintendent to the whole
| educational system. sadly needs a
clearer legislative interpretation
| Concerning the cost Of the state in
situations Of higher education and the
common schools. Governor Hoch says:
| Plea for Common Schools.
THE fundamental argument for the
support of an educational system at
| roIIh G governmental
| character and is based on the sound
| assumption that intelligence is essen
| tial to the maintenance of free govern
| ment. Our educational system Is prl-
| marily for the purpose, therefore, OF
| equipping people for good citizenship
| Upon no other ground can public ex-
penditure for educational purposes be
| advocated and defended. Intelligence
| is a vital pillar in the temple OF state
John Stuart Mill has wisely said, ]
think, that where ignorance largely
predominates republic is impossible
and monarchy a necessity. If all this
| be true you will agree with me, fee
sure, in the assertion that the most
! vital factor in this necessary system Of
promoting good citizenship is the COM
| mon school The common school is the
most important part of our education
! al system in it's relation to this funda-
mental feature of citizenship. The
state could be perpetuated perhaps
without state educational institutions
| but it is doubtful If it could be perpet-
uated without a common school sys
tenn. None of this is said to bel1tt!t
the Importance of state schools, but Il
is said to emphasize the superior i'm
portance Of the common schools, fol
they are the hope Of the country. Tht
state as state is doing practicall,
nothing for the common schools. It:
semi-annual distribution of the divi
dends upon the state school fund among
the ten thousand schools being com
paratively Insignificant, while the ap
preparations to the state institution.
are looming into immense sums will
the managers of each insisting ina
these sums are altogether too meager.'
Governor Hoch then gives these fig
ures on the expense Of the state uni
versity, normal and agricultural col
leges for the past two sessions OF tn
i legislatures: ..