THE
BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
VOLUME
NINETEEN.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
IN SENATE
WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1881.--10 a. m.The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR commanded attention while prayers were offered by Rev. W. A. Bartlett, D. D., of the Second Presbyterian Church of this city.
The reading of the Secretary's journal of yesterday's proceedings was dispensed with as usual.
JOURNALS OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS.
Mr. SHAFFER offered a concurrent resolution authorizing the Secretary of State to employ a Clerk to copy the Senate and House journals of several sessions past, and have the manuscript bound for preservation in his office.
It was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Mr. OWEN, from the Committee on Education, submitted a report as to the condition and needs of the State Educational Institutions. Purdue University has at present 220 students matriculated, representing forty-fve Counties, against 203 students last year. Of this number twenty-eight reside in Lafayette. The future yearly revenues of Purdue, independent of State aid, include $17,000, the interest on the endowment fund, and $2,000 income from students. The University asks for a $20,000 annual appropriation. The State Normal School at Terre Haute has 259 students enrolled, 243 of whom were present when the report was called for, and of this number 226 represent sixty-five different Counties and seventeen are from other States, and forty-one live in Terre Haute, and nine others in Vigo County. The schoo1 has no endowment fund or independent sources of revenue, and is dependent altogether on State aid. The State University at Bloomington has 169 students in the Collegiate and 128 in the Academic Department. Of the former, thirty-six are from Bloomington and Monroe County, and forty six other Counties are represented; in the latter fifty are from other Counties than Monroe. The University has a revenue of $10,000 independent of State aid, and asks for an appropriation of $97,000 for buildings, books, etc.
SUPERVISORS' PAY.
Mr. Foster's bill [S. 139] to amend Section 1 of the Supervisors' of Highway act of March 18, 1879, being read the third time--
Mr. FOSTER said the only change from the present law was to increase the pay of Supervisors from $1 to $1.50 per day. Every one will acknowledge the present pay Is too low to commend the services of competent men for that position. If he could he would increase the pay to $2 per day.
Mr. BELL preferred to vote for the bill to abolish that office, but would vote for this one.
Mr. GRAHAM voted against the bill because he did not believe it right.
Mr. BENZ remembered that two years ago the author of this bill was for economy, but now for extravagance. He voted "No."
Mr. MARVIN promised his constituency not to increase any officers' salary but the Supervisors'. He, therefore, would vote for this bill.
This bill was rejected--years, 17; nays, 29.
SIZE OF ELECTION PRECINCTS.
Mr. Hostetter's bill [S. 84--see page 51] to amend Section 8 of the act defining duties of officers in relation to elections being read the third time--
Mr. HOSTETTER said the town he hailed from polls about 300 votes and has more than one voting precinct. The object of the bill is to make but one voting place in smaller towns. Talk about fraud; we don't know anything about it up North. We always have voted at one precinct until the last year, and without any fraud in the election.
Mr. BUNDY favored the passage of the bill. A large number of small towns are divided, some into as many as five wards. The existing law provides that the Judges and Inspectors are to be freeholders, and in some places in his County it was difficult to find freeholders enough to hold the election. The present law has given a great deal of dissatisfaction. In a town of 500 or 600 inhabitants all should vote at one precinct, thus saving the trouble of holding elections in small precincts where there may be only twenty voters. The present law is a nuisance.
Mr. SPANN regarded the bill as a good one, but believed its main feature is embraced in a proviso in the present law which leaves it discretionary with town trustees to construe it as public convenience may demand. It is purely a ques- page: 253[View Page 253] tion of construction. If it is not optionary, then this bill in necessary.
Mr. GARRIGUS did not believe the law should be left so uncertain in its terms. The statutes should be plain. We boast about the superiority of our Public Schools, and yet send men to the Legislature who pass laws that have to be construed by appeals to the Courts or the Attorney General. There is a public demand for the repeal of this section, and he favored the passage of the bill as in the interest of justice and fair dealing.
Mr. GRAHAM thought this bill ought to pass. No one can justify the expense of holding four or five elections in a precinct where one is ample.
Mr. HEFRON preferred to see the law stand as it is on the Statute Book. Its purpose was a good one, and there were good reasons for such an enactment. If small towns desire several voting precincts they should be permitted to have them. The present law is in the interest of minority representation--to let each part of a town stand on its own footing and elect their own Representative in the Board of Town Trustees.
Mr. WOOLLEN also should vote against this bill--refusing to support any measure requiring towns to have but one voting Precinct. The dominant party under this bill would have all the officers, whereas, if the Precincts were small, there would be a division of polical sentiment.
Mr. VOYLES thought the bill right. He saw no strength in arguments against this measure.
Mr. KRAMER favored the bill. All the voters of the town should vote for its officers.
Mr. BROWN moved to recommit the bill with instructions to amend it so as to leave it in the discretion of town officers, whether the town shall have one or more voting Precincts, regardless as to the number of population.
Mr. VOYLES opposed the motion. This matter should not be left discretonary with town authorities. They may not act at all times as they should, and it is better to have it specifically stated in the law that there should be but one voting Precinct.
Mr. SPANN objected to the instructions. One year a Board may establish but one voting precinct, and the very next Board may turn round, on account of some political matter, and establish voting precincts in different districts, so there will be no uniformity in this matter. Say they must have a voting precinct in every Ward, or say they must have but one.
Mr. URMSTON favored the motion to recommit with these and other instructions. He did not consider the item of expense in this connection worth mentioning.
The motion to recommit with instructions was rejected by yeas, 15; nays, 28.
Mr. BROWN said the present law has been generally construed that the Boards have the discretion to fix the number of voting precincts, and believed that to be the intention of the framers of the law. Under this bill the majority can stifle and smother the rights and privileges of minorities in all towns not exceeding three thousand inhabitants. He hoped that the bill would not pass.
Mr. GRUBBS hoped the bill would pass. While acknowledging the construction of the existing law to be as stated, he thought the question ought to be definitely settled by statute. He did not believe in having voting precincts in every small Ward, because the interest of those small towns are substantially one. Besides that, the correct construction of the law he believed to be that every Precinct vote for all the Trustees of the town, no matter how many voting Precincts there may be.
Mr. FOSTER believed the present law good enough and saw no necessity for the bill. He should therefore vote against it.
The bill was passed by yeas, 32; nays, 10.
GRAVEL, PLANK AND OTHER ROADS.
Mr. RISTINE moved to concur in the House amendment to his bill [S. 54--see pages 80, 135, and 155 of these reports] to amend the gravel road act of March 3, 1877. He said: The House amendment requires that the bonds shall be payable at annual intervals inside of eight years. The only difference this amendment makes is that the County Commlssioners are required to make installments mature at annual intervals, instead of putting them off eight years and letting the funds accumulate in the hands of officers
The motion to concur was agreed to, and so the House amendment was adopted.
On motion by Mr. HENRY, the House amendment adding an emergency clause to his reinstatement of burnt-records bill [S. 211] was concurred in.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On motion by Mr. CHAPMAN, the House amendments to the bill [S. 86--see page 51 of these reports] appropriating $16,990.71 to minute men serving in the the late War were read and concurred in.
LEGALIZING ACTS OF NOTARIES.
Mr. Hostetter bill [S. 209] to legalize the acts of Notaries Public whose commissions had expired or were ineligible to office being read the third time--
Mr, HOSTETTFR said this was a bill simply to legalize the acts of Notaries Public performed after their terms of office had expired, or the acts of those improperly appointed. He hoped the bill would pass.
The bill passed the Senate by yeas, 85; nays, 0.
JUNIOR IMCUMBRANCES--LIMITATION.
Mr. Chapman's bill [S. 174] limiting the time for redemption by junior incumbrances from sales upon forclosure of mortgages in certain cases being read the third time--
Mr. CHAPMAN said the bill proposes to limit the right of redemption in favor of junior incumbrances to five years where not cut off by decree. There is a provision giving two years in addition in certain cases, and to those who labor under any disability. It is a statute of limitation against junior incumbrancers who have not been made party to the decree. As the statute now stands it is a question whether in such cases the junior imcumbrance has fifteen or twenty years. He did not think the bill was inequitable in any particular, and believed all rights are saved for a period sufficient for the exercise of the right of redemption if it is to be exercised at all.
Mr. MENZIES objected to the bill--it might extend for five years the time of those now restricted to one year--indeed, that seems to be its inevitable effect.
Mr. TRAYLOR was satisfied there is no use of this bill becoming a law, unless some lawyer has failed to make a junior lien-holder a party to a suit.
Mr. BELL thought there could not be anything in some objections made to this bill. It is only a question of policy or propriety whether these lien-holders shall have five, fifteen or twenty years in which to redeem; and that is about the only question in the bill.
Mr. HENRY opposed the passage of this bill. The length of time proposed is too short. It only applies where the junior incumbrancer has had no notice, etc. Under the present law the sale does not affect the junior incumbrancer, and his right may have been barred before the sale.
Mr. CHAPMAN challenged anyone to find good and substantial reasons why a junior incumbrancer should have a term of twenty years in which to redeem property from sale. Instead of extraordinary solicitude in behalf of that class, such solicitude rather should be shown to those whose ownership is open, disclosed, above, and page: 254[View Page 254] who have entered into possession of the property which they have been improvng and making more valuable to themselves and to society. He moved to recommit the bill, with instructions, so as to give two years in all cases after the passage of this act within which junior incumbrancers may have the right to redeem.
Mr. BROWN opposed the bill, and considered it open to the objections named. Case may occur where an undue and unjust advantage can be taken under it.
Mr. CHAPMAN regarded the criticisms as to acquired rights as wholly unjust.
The motion to recommit was agreed to by yeas, 20; nays, 16.
PROTECTION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
Mr. Henry's [S. 103] to protect books, magazines and other property of Public Libraries against mutilation or defacement, being read the third time--
Mr. HENRY said: The bill makes a violation of its provisions a misdemeanor.
Mr. FOSTER thought the bill a good one. Something ought to be done to prevent the mutilation of books in Public Libraries.
The bill passed by yeas, 33; nays, 4.
Mr. MENZIES moved to reconsider the vote just taken, because this bill brings a crime into existence in the twinkling of an eye, so to speak. It is against an unbroken line of precedents and customs. No matter how grave the offense, it is an outrage and a wrong to have statutes creating a crime go into effect witout notice.
Mr. HENRY replied that the bill requires two copies thereof to be posted in conspicuous places in each Public Library, which would give ample notice.
Mr. BROWN--The posting of the notice does not relieve the bill of the objection. There is no need of the law, though in absence of the emergency clause he would vote for the bill.
On motion by Mr. HENRY, the motion to reconsider was laid on the table--yeas, 22; nays, 12.
PARTITION OF REAL ESTATE.
Mr. Menzie's bill [S. 156--see page 151 of these Reports] concerning the partition of land coming up--
Mr. MENZIES said the Committee had struck out some matter objected to when the bill was read the third time. It is a good bill and one that ought to pass.
The bill was passed by yeas, 29; nays, 5.
CREEKS AND HARBORS.
On motion by Mr. POINDEXTER, the House amendments to his bill [S. 32--see page 85, second column] to amend Section 2 of the voluntary association act, approved February 12, 1855, were read and concurred in.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS.
Mr. Henry's bill [S. 214] concerning drainage being read the third time--
Mr. HENRY said the bill was prepared by Judge Frazier, of the Revision Commission, then referred to the Committee on Revision, and then amended as recommended by the Committee on Swamp Lands. It provides for the appoinment by the Circuit Court of three Commissioners of Drainage, to erve for a term of three years. The bill is well guarded, and is as perfect as any bill of this kind he had ever seen. All expense is paid out of the lands, except the first view.
Mr. WOOD had examined this bill very carefully, and believed it as near perfect as any bill he had ever read on the subject.
The bill passed by yeas, 28; nays, 9.
The the Senate adjourned till to-morrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1881--9 a. m.STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Mr. FANCHER offered a resolution that the Trustees of the State Normal School be requested to report to this House at an early day, showing how much of the $2,000, appropriated in 1879, has been expended for repairing the buildings and grounds, and how much money the city of Terre Haute has placed in the hands of the Trustees for such improvements, and what disposition has been made of the same. He said: In 1879 the Legislature appropriated $2,000 for repairing and improving the ground of the State Normal. The statute under which the Institution was incorporated provides that the city of Terre Haute shall pay one-half of the expense toward keeping the buildings and ground in repair. When this $2,000 was appropriated in 1879, it was on the condition that no part was to be expended until Terre Haute paid in a like sum. He wanted to know if the city paid its portion for this improvement.
The resolution was adopted.
FAIR GROUND DEBT.
The Committee on Ways and Means reported on the bill [H. R. 136] to appropriate $60,000 to to pay indebtedness of the State Board of Agriculture, recommending a substitute bill, which will provide for the negotiation of a new loan of $60,000, and appropriating $4,000 each year for the payment of interest.
The report was concurred in, and the substitute bill was read the second time and ordered engrossed.
REPORTS ON CLAIMS.
The Committee on Claims, to whom was recomitted the swamp land claims in Tipton County, reported recommending the payment of such claims, both principal and interest.
The report was laid on the table.
The same Committee reported on the bill [H. R. 129] appropriating certain money to pay employes of the Soldiers' Home for loss sustained by fire, recommending its passage.
The report was concurred in and bill ordered engrossed.
TheCommittee on Claims returned the claim presented by the House Prison Committee for expenses incurred in visiting the State Prison, reporting inability to make any recommendation, and return the same for the action of the House.
Mr. CAUTHORNE said when members visit these Prisons they go on a kind of special excursion, and he thought these claims should not be allowed, as he did not suppose the members of these Committees were to any expense, and they get their per diem; therefore he did not think the Committee ought to ask such an allowance.
Mr. WILSON thought, in all justice, the State of Indiana owes this money and ought to pay it.
Mr. WRIGHT said he understood when those men were appointed that they drew their $6 per day as membes of the House. He was willing to vote for an allowance of the actual expenses to the members of that Committee, if they can be ascertained. Further than that he thought it wrong.
On motion by Mr. LINDLAY, the claim with the report thereon, was recommitted.
A NEW LIQUOR LAW.
A majority report from the Committee on Temperance was submitted on the bill [H. R. 402] (liquor law), recommeding its passage.
A minority of the same Committee reports on the bill [H. R. 402] (liquor law), recommending indefinite postponement.
page: 255[View Page 255]A motion to lay the minority report on the table was rejected--yeas, 44; nays, 45.
Mr. FRAZIER moved to indefinitely postpone the minority report.
The motion was agreed to--yeas, 48; nays, 42.
On motion by Mr. COLE, the further consideration of this report and bill was deferred until tomorrow at 2 p. m., and two hundred copies of the bill were ordered printed.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
The reading of the general appropriation bill [H. R. 422] was resumed, the question being on a motion to increase the pay of the Secretary of State's Clerk. It was rejected.
Mr. FULLER moved to reduce the salary of the Governor's Secretary from $2,000 to $1,495.
Mr. NEFF thought it due to the chief Executive of the State that he be allowed a sufficient sum to pay his Private Secretary, who has to be and necessarily is the confidential agent of the Governor. He said most any body in a business capacity can get at least from $1,300 to $1,400 a year. The office of Private Secretary requires a man of high character, one in whom the Governor can coefide, so that when the Governor goes home and reposes in his room, he knows the secret is safe. It was not doing justice to the chief Executive of the State of Indiana to allow but $1,500 for that position.
Mr. FRAZIER--If the Governor's Private Secretary is worth $2,000 a year, it is necessary to change the fee bill. There is a law, passed two years ago, now a law of the land, prescribing what this Private Secretary shall receive. If the Governor's Private Secretary is worth $2,000 I should not say "Nay," but I should say we ought to change the fee bill.
Mr. KENNER--The amount as specified in this bill was agreed upon by the Committee, thinking it was right. So far as the present law is concerned, the gentleman can take his book and read: "All laws and parts of laws coming in conflict with the provisins of this act are hereby repealed." As a matter of course, if you put the item in here, it repeals the present law. I hope the House will change this amount to $2,000.
Mr. FULLER-I am not willing, Mr. Speaker to go before my constituents with any raise upon the amounts allowed two year ago. As has been said here, the salary of Governor Williams' Private Secretary was $2,200. That matters nothing to me. The record shows that it was $1,500; that is the sum the fee and salary bill appropriates for that purpose. If there was some underground railroad by which he was paid more, or Governor Williams paid him out of his own pocket, that matters not to me, and I do not intend to go before my constitusnts and show the increase of this salary. I will vote against the appropration bill before I will do it. I believe in paying a liberal compensation and I will be the last man to vote in contradiction to that. This gentleman expects to do this work for $1,500.
The amendment was adopted--yeas, 45; nays, 37.
Mr. HARGROVE moved to amend by striking out $1200, the salary of the Deputy Attorney General, and inserting $600 in lieu. The amendment was adopted--years, 45; nays, 37.
AFTERNOON SESSION--2 P. M.
HOUSE OF REFUGE INVESTIGATION.
The Committee pointed to investigate the affairs of the Indiana House of Refuge for Juveniles reported that they deemed it unadvisable to proceed against the institution for the reason that the charges contained in anonymous communications published in a newspaper in the city of Indianapolis could not be established.
The report was concurred and the Committee was discharged.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Mr. MILES moved to amend the general appropriation bill by fixing the appropriation for the House of Refuge at $45,000 for the year ending October 31, 1882, and $52,000 for the year ending October 31, 1883.
On motion by Mr. HINTON the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. NEFF said the Committee acted upon advice that that amount would be sufficient. He hoped the House would not increase the recommendation of this Committee.
Mr. FANCHER--I hope this amendment will not prevail. As the law now stands, that school has a standing appropriation of $15,000 for that Institution, and with the amount recommended by the Committee makes $20,000. During the last year in that Institution they have only 420 students, besides about 200 from the city of Terre Haute. Under the law the have a right to send their children there. The standing appropriation is enough for that Institution. I am opposed to even $5,000 appropriation. I believe that $15,000 is enough, which is the standing appropriation that they have been receiving from year to year.
Mr. COLE hoped the amendment would prevail. He said a large number ofthe ablest school teachers have attended that school and graduated there. Its usefulness can not be overestimated, as it was particularly fitted and intended for the education of the Common School teachers of the State. It is, perhaps, the nearest institution to the people and nearer a collegiate institution than any other class of educational institutions.
Mr. MOODY said: "I offered this amendment to the bill, and I desire to ask the indulgence of the House a short time that I may briefly call attention to some facts that induced me to offer it. In the first place, Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House, the Committee on Ways and Means recommended, among other things, that there be appropriated for the State University at Bloomington $20,000; that there be appropriated to the Purdue University, located at Lafayette, $4,500, and that there be appropriated to the 8tate Normal School, located at Terre Haute $5,000. What did we witness yesterdaty on this floor, Mr. Speaker, after three long hours of debate be best talent in the House? Why, sir, not only did we witness the House concur in the report recommended by the Committee as to the appropriations for the two Universities, but we said to the old University, "You shall have $25,000," and to Purdue University, we said, "You shall have $20,000." These appropriations were made with a magnanimity and philanthropy worthy the noble cause sought to be aided, and, in my judgment, does great honor to the head and heart of every Member of this House who voted for them. And now, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I ask in behalf of that noble band of teachers, numbering over 13,000 in this State representing a calling second to none, save, possibly, the sacred ministry; I ask, sir, in behalf of the common people all over this State; I ask in behalf of common justice to our free school, the very foundition of our Republican Government, your careful and generous consideration of this proposed amendment.
The friends of this Institution have not asked an unreasonable appropriation; they have only asked what they deemed absolutely necessary. Previous to 1878 the regular annual appropriation made by the Legislature for the incidental expenses of this Institutin was $3,000. The last Legislature reduced this to $2,000. I visited this Institution and carefully examined the building and Library, being a member of the Committee on Public Buildings, and I state to you, gentlemen, in my judgment, they need and should have page: 256[View Page 256] every dollar asked for by this amendment. The steam heating apparatus utterly fails to furnish heat for the buildings and the boilers should be abandoned and a boiler house erected outside to obviate any danger from an explosion. This would require nearly one-half of the present appropriation asked for. Now, as to the Library, they only have the one donated to the school by the late Chauncy Rose, consisting in all of about 1,800 volumes. I submit that there should be furnished a professional library for the use of this school. No appropriation has ever been made by the State for the purchase of books for this school. The lawyer, the doctor and the minister all have their lbraries at hand, and could not get along without them. When we know that school-teaching has become a science, should we not furnish for the use of those who have sought this noble calling the fresh and invigorating literature of the great teachers of the world; the principles and methods of teaching that are the result of thought and experience? These are as necessary to the professional teacher of Common Schools as is the law library to the law student or the medical library to the student of medicine. Gentlemen, in acting upon this appropriation we ought to consider that persons are prepared for performing service for those who pay the taxes which support the school. This school benefits the common people more directly than any other school in the State. Ninety-two Counties in the State and ten States in the Union have been and are to-day represented in this Instituton, and the amount of influence of this school in our own State is evidenced by follwing statement of the State Superintendent, in his last report:
"Wherever I go I find the Normal graduates are doing the best kind of work, and I think that to their efforts is due in a large measure the rapid advancement which our schools have made during the lsat ten years."
The school has slowly but steadily grown since its organization, from a handful of scholars, numbering only 135, until now she is regarded as a power in the Common Schools in the State, having this year nearly 500 teachers in attendance.
When we take into consideration the fact that in the year 1877 the school population was 694,706, and that of this number 498,726 were enrolled in the schools, and that to teach this number of children 13,574 teachers were employed, and that the amount of money paid to these teachers was $2,967,539, and that the total cost of our Common Schools of the State, including repairs aparatus, and other expenses, was more than $4,000,000, I ask you in all seriousness, whether we ought not to feel a just pride in educating these teachers and thereby place our Common Schools on as high a plane as possible? I trust, gentlement, this amendment will meet your indorsement.
On motion by Mr. THOMPSON, the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. FANCHER moved to amend by striking out in the proviso for the appropriation of the State Normal School the words, "repairs and improvements." He said the object of the amendment was to compel Terre Haute to do its share toward the repair and improvement of the Normal. The proviso requires them to keep up one-half of the repairs of the building, ground, etc., and this amendment would make it a duty incumbent upon the city of Terra Haute to comply with that condition.
Mr. CARTER--It seems, in the absence of the Representatives from Vigo County, the gentleman from Lake (Mr. Fancher) has constituted himself the guardian of that Institution. It is also evident that the guardian is unfriendly to his ward; therefore I move to lay the amendment on the table.
The motion to table was rejected.
Mr. FRAZIER--The appropriation provides that the city of Terre Haute shall be held to maintain and keep up half the repairs of the building and ground. This very bill provides that the city shall so do, therefore that section should be left as it is.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. RYAN moved to amend the bill so as to increase the appropriation to the State Normal School to $9,000.
Mr. RYAN--I can not see the consistency of the opposition manifested to these educational institutions, and particularly the State Normal at Terre Haute. I can not conceive that there should be such opposition to these institutions. Gentlemen on this floor have expressed themselves that they were in favor of the Common School system and believers in popular education. If that be so there can be no reason why there should be such hostility manifested to this Institution. Whenever a gentleman on this floor makes an attack upon the Common School system and upon that Institution, he makes a thrust at the poor people of the State. Three-fourths of the poor children of this State depend upon the Common School system as an element of their education. An Agricultural School has been ordained and instituted by the State. Money has been appropriated and a large property has been created there, and that property is deteriorating every day. It is in danger of being burned by the heating appurtenancies, and is suffering for the want of painting and other repairs. The parties interested have asked for a liberal appropriation. They ask you for $5,000, simply to aid in the repair of the building. One gentleman says he is not in favor of voting a single penny to the Institution until the people of Terre Haute shall contribute their portion of the expenses necessary for these repairs. The gentleman presumes that the city of Terre Haute has complied with her condition. I submit from trustworty information that the city has complied with every single requirement placed upon her by the law, and she stands here with her hands clean in this matter. Gentlemen, if we would vote a little more money and make more generous appropriations to the educational institutions of the State, we would not be called upon to vote hundreds and thousands of dollars every session to the maintenance of Penitentiaries and Reformatories. [Applause.] All the money that has been devoted to the educational institutions in the State of Indiana falls far below what is asked for by the Penitentiaries in the State and yet gentlemen stand on this floor and deny the pitiable sum of $5,000 to one of the educational institutions of the State. The Common School system owes more of its success and benefit to the State Normal School than to any other one thing. I want to say, as a parting word, as the Representative from Vigo is not here to say it, and for the additional reason of coming from Deleware County, every Member on this floor knows that each and every person attending the State Normal have the same right, and receive the same treatment and benefit, as the people of Terre Haute. It is necessary and essential to the proper carrying out of the Common School system of the State of Indiana that we have well-educated teachers. They must be educated for their profession in the same way that other professional men are educated. While there is an overwhelming argument in favor of this appropriation, there is one thing that it seems to me ought to appeal to the magnanimity of this Assembly, when you come to realize the fact that in the noonday of nineteenth century 76,000 of your people can not read or write--more than in all six of the New England States together. It seems that that fact alone ought to make every man's heart open at once to the wants and needs of these Institutions, to the extent of puttiug them on a respectable and successful basis.
Mr. BERRYMAN--It seems to me that we are growing wild on this question of educaation. page: 257[View Page 257] There is a golden mean upon which we all should meet. It is proper that this Institution should have its due allowance, but let us not do as we did yesterday--give more than the Institution demanded itself. When we called at Purdue University they only asked for $17,000, and this House in its liberality of soul gave $20,000. Where is this thing going to end? Why can not school teachers educate themselves as other professional men educate themselves? But since the State has undertaken to do this, let us give them a proper appropriation, but let us not go beyond that.
Mr. FANCHER thought if an Institution was located in the center of the State, where it could be easily reached, he would do as much for the Institution as any man. He favored consolidating all the educational Institutions on one campus, as the expense would be reduced just one-half and they would be a credit to the State, but as long as they remain at their present locations the will be of no benefit to the people of the north part of the State. He thought as the State Normal now existed it was a local and County Institution for Vigo County.
Mr. WESTFALL--Since the State Normal is a legitimate child of the State of Indiana, it is our duty to take care of it whether we want to or not; if the State has located it there, it is not our fault. I hope the amendment of the gentleman from Delaward will prevail.
Mr. NEFF--I think the Committee on Ways and Means have been liberal in their recommendations to the appropriation to the Normal School at Terre Haute, raising the amount from $2,000 to $5,000. The Normal I am not here to eulogize. Everyboy knows what it is. It is an Institution--a child of the State--and there is no use to spoil the child now, sir. Where we been charged with being liberal in disposing of the people's money, I do not want to be too liberal. It seems to me if the Terre School got along with the annual appropiation of $2,000, if this Assembly increases it to $5,000 and in addition gives them an appropriation of $5,000 to build their boiler, that they can get along and be contented that the Legislature has done a fair thing.
Mr. COMPTON said the very vital or foundation of our Common School system consists in properly educating our teachers. While there are many Normal Schools in the State, this one is peculiarly adaped to this educational work of the State. Every class goes there and are made proper educators. The teachers and children need this school, and that fact alone should satisfy the Legislature to make the appropriation.
On motion by Mr. KENNER it was agreed that that the House take a vote on the engrossment of the bill at 4 p. m.
On motion by Mr. BAKER--yeas, 56; nays, 29--the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. RYAN moved to amend the bill by striking out the amount, $75,000, for the State Prison North and insert instead $10,000. He said he offered the amendment because the appropriation was not made nor considered by the Committee on Ways and Means until it was presented to this House, and he asked Members of the House to take notice of the manner in which the bill was brought before them. He was unwilling to have any Committee Clerk cram down his throt this or any other bill, and he contended this was the work of the Committee Clerk. The House has a right to know what the items of the bill are, and to consider them, either in the Committee or in the House. He submitted that while the State Prisons are contracted out, and the convict's labor realizes thirty-seven cents a day, they should be continually asking for appropriations.
Mr. KENNER regarded this attack upon the Committee as wholly unwarranted. The gentleman knows the Northern Prison pays about $15,000 a year into the State Treasury. It is self-sustaining, and we make the appropriation without regard to that.
The amendment was laid on the table.
The bill was ordered engrossed.
PUBLIC OFFENSES.
The reading of the bill [H. R. 393] relating to public offenses and their punishment was resumed.
Mr. EDWINS moved to strike out Section 218, relating to tramps and beggars, believing it would work a great hardship on the laboring classes, who are frequently in a wandering condition. Any one prejudiced against them would have the power to arrest such and have them fined.
Mr. FRAZER insisted the section would work no hardship toward anybody. It will do more to reduce the number of tramps than any law on the statute books.
Mr. BAKER thought it would be a diagrace to have such a section on the statute books.
The motion was rejected.
The House adjourned till to-morrow.
