NORMAL SCHOOL APPROPRIATION BILL.
The SPEAKER announced the special order, viz: the consideration of Mr. McLean's bill [H. R. 15], appropriating $75,000 for the completion of the establishment of the State Normal. School at Terre Haute - the question being on the third reading of the bill.
[Mr. SCAMMAHORN submitted an order, which was adopted, to the following effect:
Resolved, That the venders of apples, cigars, concert, theater and lottery tickets be excluded f om the Hall while the House is in session.]
Mr. WASON said that the passage of this bill would mark a new era in the history of the State. Indiana could not afford to remain behind other States as to educational progress. Notwithstanding the boasted magnitude of our common school fund, our distributed fund per capita was behind most other States with any pretensions to schools. We distributed but $2 per capita, while other States distribute $3 to $4, &c. This State Normal School was essential to educate teachers, so that the common schools may be elevated. Normal schools were well endowed and flourishing in the States on every side, and we can not afford to be dependent on other States for teachers. All we want in our school system is to supplement our school fund, and sustain a Normal School, and he hoped the time would not be long till we will have another in the east, another in the south, and another in the north of this State. He doubted the sufficiency of the endowment.
Mr. BIRD urged the bill from various considerations. Indiana was behind other States as to these institutions. The younger State of Michigan has five normal schools We have schools for all the professions except that of the schoolmaster. Schools were useless without well trained teachers. He defended the location at Terre Haute. As to the appropriation, at first he would have preferred $50,000. But it were better, if we have a normal school, to have a good one. Then $50,000 of this appropriation was to be derived from the Township Library fund. He was for education to strengthen the Democracy of the country -but, party considerations aside, he would have the people educated. So he would page: 363[View Page 363] lessen the necessity for houses of refuge and correction for juvenile offenders.
Mr. CAMPBELL supported the bill, sympathizing with the teaching profession, having himself shared in its responsibilities. He deprecated local prejudices, and considered this appropriation as the best investment of the public money.
Mr. KIZER made a general speech, criticising the general management of the school fund and schools; which, he said, might not be regarded as coming gracefully from him.
Mr. WILSON moved to recommit the bill with instructions to so amend it as to provide a normal school in each congressional district in the State. It occurred to him, that if the Normal School is a good thing, it were well to scatter these institutions a little. He objected to the location of these institutions in large cities, n account of their dissipating tendencies. If we were to have but one of these institutions, he would locate it at Bloomington as a department of the State University. He objected to the diversion of the Township Library fund. He would have these librarians fostered - read - not destroyed. This appropriation to Terre Haute would be as money thrown into the fire to the great mass of tax payers.
Mr. SHUEY regarded the proposition as hostile. Were we indeed prepared to take such a backward step as to cast away this Terre Haute donation? Teaching is a science and a profession. And it is not separately taught in any school of the land but the Normal schools, Therefore, this Normal school is by no means an experiment. These schools are brilliant successes in the States around us.
Mr. PEELLE considered the plighted faith of the State to the people of Terre Haute for the location of this Normal school. He would vote a hundred thousand more rather than break this plighted faith. He would elevate the educational standard. The want of the power of teaching, (more than the want of a knowledge of letters) was the crying want of the State. He represented a constituency that would justify him in voting money to elevate the educational standard.
Mr. ROSS rehearsed what had been done by the people of Terre Haute, by way of donation. He considered that the library fund might be wisely diverted to this Normal School. So far, he was in favor of the bill. But he would vote against the bill before he would support the appropriation of $25,000 for this object out of the treasury. He was opposed to advancing one dollar from the Treasury which is not absolutely necessary. If the State were out of debt, he might be willing, but while bowed down with debt gentlemen should be careful.
Mr. HUGHES said if he were free from the obligation of the Normol School act of 1865, he would have this institution a College in the State University. But the institution being established, the only question was whether we should abandon it as a loss and disparagement to the State, or go forward to its completion. He read from the act, the conditions upon which students shall be received: they shall teach in the common schools for a period twice as long as the term of their tuition. Here was something that especially commends itself to those who desire and expect to elevate the common schools by requiring; higher qualifications in the teachers. These considerations cannot be ignored if the State of Indiana would keep abreast of his sister States in the cause of Education.
Mr. DAGGY proposed to add instructions to strike out the $25,000 appropriation from the general fund. His reason for this , in part was, that it was the original contemplation of the act of 1865, that this normal school building should be erected at the expense of the locality of the institution.
Mr. CRAIN and Mr. McLEAN stated their readiness to strike out that $25,000, if it can be done by unanimous consent, without going again to the committee.
It was so ordered by consent.
Mr. WRIGHT should vote against this bill, because he remembered that the original understanding was that the original appropriation of $50,000 was to complete the building.
Mr. MILLER. Had the people of Terre that understanding?
Mr. McLEAN (in his seat.) No.
Mr. STACKHOUSE expected much from this normal school. He believed that this was a wise diversion of the township library fund. He did not allow any man of the same means to go beyond him as a friend of education.
Mr. WOLFE insisted that this educational effort by the State should be applied to the masses. Very few were willing to subscribe for the support of the day schools beyond the time supplied by the common school fund. Then why not advance these funds to swell the common school fund, and so send its benefits all over the State? He would vote against the bill, because it was for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many.
Mr. BELFORD demanded the previous question, and there was a second; and, under its force -
Mr. Wilson's amendment was rejected.
The vote on the third reading resulted yeas 69, nays 15 - as follows:
YEAS Messrs. Belford, Bird, Bischof, Black, Brucker, Campbell, Carter, Chambers, Crain
page: 364[View Page 364]Crowe, Daggy, Danaldson, Dunn, Erwin, Ferris, Foulke, Funk, Geisendorff, Griggs, Hartman, Hamilton, Hays, Higgins, Hopkins, Hughes, Hungate, Kiser, Litson, Long of Jackson, Long of Kosciusko, Martin, Mason, McCarthy, McClasky, McLean, McMurray, Miller, Moore, Morrison, Montgomery, Newcomb, O'Neil, North, Peelle, Prather, Ratliff, Ross, Rosser, Sabin, Scammahorn, Shook, Shoaff, Shuey, Skidmore. Smith of Lagrange, Smith of Wabash, Spencer, Stackhouse, Stafford, Stewart, Thomas, Van Valkenburgh, Vawter, Wason, Watson, Wolfer, Wolflin, Woods, and Mr. Speaker - 69.
NAYS. - Messrs. Edmonson, Green, Honneus, Hostetter, Hudson, Inman, Lopp, Newland, Shanks, Shull, Thrasher, Williams, Wilson-Wolfe and Wright - 15.
So the bill passed the House of Representatives.
The House then adjourned.
