THE BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
VOLUME EIGHTEEN.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
IN SENATE.
FRIDAY, March 14,1879-- 9 o'clock a. m.The minutes of yesterday were not read.
On motion by Mr. COMSTOCK the Senate proceeded with the unfinished business of yesterday, viz.: the consideration of the amendments proposed by the Senate committee on finance to the general appropriation bill [H. R. 592].
The amendment increasing the pay of the sheriff of the supreme court from $200 to $500 was agreed to by yeas 36, nays 6.
The amendment proposing to strike out the appropriation for the State geologist of $1,000 was agreed to.
The amendment proposing to increase the pay of commissioners of the Insane Hospital, as fixed in the original bill, from $300 to $600 was agreed to by yeas 23, nays 21.
The amendments proposing to increase the pay of superintendent of the Insane Hospital and the Blind Asylum and Deaf and Dumb were severally rejected.
The amendment proposing to increase the pay or trustees of the Blind Asylum from $300 to $400 was agreed to by yeas 39. nays 7.
The amendment increasing the appropriation to the State prison south from $70,000 to $75,000 was agreed to by yeas 36, nays 10.
Mr. WINTERBOTHAM stated reasons for this increase: The amount named is the lowest possible limit. The directors of the prisons should not be encouraged to incur indebtedness, etc., etc.
The amendment increasing the appropriation for the House of Refuge for Boys, from $40,000 to $45,000 was rejected by yeas 21, nays 26.
Mr. RAGAN understood there was a saving on the last appropriation for the House of Refuge of some $10,000, which was covered back in the State treasury, but he favored this amendment because it is only $1,000 more than was used by that institution.
Messrs. WINTERBOTHAM and FOWLER were satisfied this amendment should, be adopted. This institution is growing probably as rapidly as any other of the State's wards.
Mr. STREIGHT opposed this increase to the House of Refuge.
The amendment for increasing the sum for the Women and Girls Reformatory from $21,500 to 24,506 was rejected by yeas 21, nays 26.
Mr. SHIRK favoring this item.
Mr. FOWLER, seated the institution was in debt some $1,300 now.
Mr. GARRIGUS was opposed to squandering the public money, and while willing to vote for necessary supplies did not believe this increase to the Reformatory advisable.
On motion by Mr. HARRIS, the $3,000 for the Normal school was reduced to $2,000.
Mr. DICE moved to strike out the committee amendment adding $2,000 to the $2,000 appropriated in the bill for the Purdue University being read.
Mr. MENZIES brought up the question as to whether the connection of the State with these educational institutions should not be severed. If the State has a right under the constitution to appropriate money to these institutions let it be done generously and not doled out in this pitiful way our form of Government knows no class and why should it take money from the people by the enforcement of taxation and appropriate it to the support of a school for any particular caste for the diffusion of technology and scientific agriculture anymore than for any other particular avocation or profession. The question is; Have we a right, under the organic laws of the State, to give a dollar to such an Institution? These precedents are being established at almost every General Assembly and there will be no end to this thing. Try this institution on its endowment fund of $15,000 per annum and see if that will not sustain it.
Mr. REEVE read article 8 of the State constitution, thinking that clause should remove all doubt, but that the trainers of that organic law had in their minds just such schools as the Purdue University, the State Normal and the University of Bloomington. He spoke at length in favor of bestowing upon these institutions the fostering care of the State.
Mr. DICK believed the people were fostering too many educational institutions. In 1873 page: 23[View Page 23] there were $60,000 appropriated for the Purdue University, and he appealed to the records to show that every year since its organization Purdue has had appropriations from the State treasury, while that institution was located with the distinct understanding it should not be a charge upon the State. He wanted to know where this thing should stop? It is not the duty of the State to provide for the maintenance of an institution for the education of any particular class. It must stop some where, and the proper stopping place is with a proper system of common schools.
Mr. TRUSLER: As Purdue University is the only State institution which makes any profession to work in the interest of agriculture, he felt it a duty to stand by Purdue. He saw no good reason in retrograding or going backward', and if we wipe out Purdue it will be only a question of time when there will be no farmers occupying seats on this floor where there are now 31 lawyers, and comparatively few representatives of the agricultural community. He wanted to see the agricultural Interests better cultivated but so long as you listen to the sirew songs of these professional lawyers, so long the agricultural community must occupy the background it is the agricultural interest that pays the most taxes, and it is for the interest of the State to stand by Purdue University. He desired to see the farmer elevated. The wealth or this country has to start from the soil, and why now stop the only institution that represents the oldest art known to man? Commerce and manufacture might be stricken down, but educated agriculture can reproduce them all. Agriculture is the fountain of all political power--the guardian of liberty--and if the fountain is impure the stream must be foul. Elevate the farmer--give him hope for elevation and reward--and it will be found to add to the interest of the State and the entire country.
Mr. BRISCOE had a much higher opinion of agricultural interests than many others, regarding it as the first in the land But that interest is not regarded in Purdue University, for its principal agricultural officer does not exist. The Board has abolished the superintendent of the agricultural department--that official is wiped out. A person to learn any branch of industry must have a competent tutor, and there is no tutor now in Purdue for the farmer boys. Ninety-three thousand dollars has been appropriated in the last six years to that institution, and now why is the paltry sum of $2,000 asked for? How much good will that do the great farming interest of the State?
Mr. KENT: Experience has shown the common school system elevates the lower level, but is it not necessary for a farmer to understand chemistry. Intelligence and brains always go to the front, and as there is not one common school tea-her in 50 that can teach chemistry, should the farmer boy not be permitted to go to some school where he can learn the higher knowledge that will enable him to pursue the occupation of farming in an intelligent way.
Mr. STREIGHT could see but two questions involved in this discussions: First, the duty of the State, and next, the propriety of making the appropriations for such objects. The State should not undertake to do for the few what she can not do for the many. But for the reason that with one other appropriation it is expected this institution will be self-sustaining, he should vote for the sum asked for now, while not committing himself to the principle of keeping up the higher branches of education in this State. Then came the recess till 2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. HEFRON was aware, in opposing this appropriation, he was antagonizing very respectable classes; but this university is sailing under the nag of an agricultural college, while, upon close examination, but little agriculture will be found in it. Only five students are engaged in that particular study. The landholder knows that this institution is there, that taxes are paid for its support, and that is about all the farmers of Indian a know about it. If this institution was of sufficient practicable benefit to the farmers of this State, he would not oppose an appropriation of $25,000 if necessary.
Mr. KRAMER held it expedient and right for the State to help support these institutions designed to educate farmers, lawyers and teachers. An agricultural school is needed in this State, because farming should be made attractive and remunerative. This college bids fair, in the near future, to become a self-sustaining institution, and he did not thinly the people would complain if this small pittance is appropriated.
Mr. HART referred to the fact that men are quitting the business of farming, and lawyers and doctors are becoming thicker with every passing year; consequently it is the duty of the State to encourage institutions devoted to the advancement of agricultural interests, and to encourage everything that will tend to elevate the farming community, and thus in the speediest manner possible put this country upon a prosperous footing again.
Mr. LANGDON declared mat so much had been said, and so well said, but little was left for him to say in favor of making appropriations to Purdue University. He went on to show that the State of Indiana is under moral as well as legal obligation to maintain this institution and give to it moral and pecuniary support. Though having no oppportunity, while still in its infancy, to make any great showing, yet if the increase already indicated, goes on, it will outstrip, within a few years, the oldest institutions in the land.
The motion [Mr. Dice's] to strike out the committee amendment was rejected by yeas 9, nays ; 8; and the amendment was agreed to by yeas 3, nays 11.
The committee amendment increasing the appropriation for public printing and stationery from $8,000 to $12,000 for the fiscal year ending November 1,1880, was adopted by yeas 20, nays 16; and the item increasing the appropriation for the same purpose for the fiscal year ending November 1881, from $20,000 to $24,000 (a legislative year) was also adopted.
On motion by Mr. HARRIS the report of the committee as a whole was adopt ed by yeas 31,. nays 15.
Mr. REEVE moved to amend the bill so the provisions of any law now in force shall not conflict herewith.
Mr. GRUBBS opposed putting anything into the bill that would look like changing the fee and salary bill, for it is not the purpose and can not be the effect of an appropriation bill to fix the salaries of any officer whatever.
Mr. VIEHE also opposed the amendment for substantially the same reasons. The amendment was rejected by yeas 5, nays 31.
Mr. VIEHE moved to increase the amount for chamber and office expenses of the supreme court from $1,000 to $2,000.
On motion by Mr. STRElGHT--yeas 24 nays 20--the amendment was amended by making the appropriation $1,500.
Mr. VIEHE moved to add an item for a Janitor for the Supreme court $700.
On motion by Mr. STRElGHT--yeas 22, nay 21--the amendment was amended by reducing the pay to $500.
page: 24[View Page 24]Mr. BURRELL moved to strike out the appropriation of $1,000 for traveling expenses of the superintendent of public instruction.
Mr COMSTOCK moved, ineffectually, to amend the amendment by making the sum $500.
Mr. VIEHE moved to make the amount $600, which was agreed to by yeas 33, nays 16.
Mr. STREIGHT moved to reduce the pay of the adjutant general from $1,200 to $500.
Mr. WINTERBOTHAM moved to make the pay $800, pending which
The Senate adjourned.
