THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Mr. GRAHAM called for the special order, being his bill [H. R. 256] to provide a fund for the permanent endowment of the State University, and it was read the third time.
Mr. GILMAN hoped the bill would not pass the House. He was not in favor of taking the people of the whole State to endow an Institution that does not benefit more than 30 per cent of the people of the Stale.
Mr. GORDON said: Before the members vote upon this it would be proper to pause a moment and consider the magnitude of this question. This bill ought not to pass, for it is not in the interest of the general educational interests of the State. An appropriation of $90,000 annually for twelve years would be equivalent to taking a fund that would run the Common Schools of the State for three months. It is wrong in principle to appropriate this money. It is not for the benefit of the people of the entire State, and his tax should not be collected from the people of the whole State.
Mr. Wilson, of Kosciusko, hoped this bill will not pass, and in opposing it trusted no one will change him with not having proper respect for our educational interests, the provision of this bill for the endowment of this University are not such as he could support. There are thousands of people all over this State who are in debt for their homes and it would not be good financiering for us to attempt to raise this appropriation by taxing these people, who are already paying from 6 to 8 per cent. on their indebtedness.
Mr. MONTGOMERY hoped this bill will pass. As has been stated, her education interests are the pride of the State of Indiana. It would be prudent for us to vote this money for the permanent endowment of this Institution. One per cent on the $100 is a very small tax, and it would be expedient for us as the Legislature assembled here to vote this appropriation, that this Institution may be made a permanent Institution.
Mr. McMULLEN did not desire to detain the House long, but it appeared to him that this bill should pass. He thought no member would say that Indiana ought not to have a permanent University, one that will be the pride of the State. We must do as other States have done. We must profit by their example. He desired to tale to the gentleman from Putnam [Mr Gordon] that the tax for the coming year is not to be increased one cent by the provisions of this bill.
Mr. STUCKER opposed the passage of the bill.
Mr. MELLETT said: I am in favor of the passage of this bill. I can say for one that when I believes a measure is right, and that it is just, and that it is for the best interest of the State, that I can not refuse to support it, because I must meet my constituents hereafter. I believe that this measure is in the best interests and welfare of the State, and for this reason I am in favor of it. I think the time has come when the people of this State should be willing to endow this Institution.
Mr. K ESTER thought that if it is right to maintain this Institution it should be done in a credit table manner. He did not apprehend that this bill would cripple or influence the Common School Interests of the State in the least. He hoped that the bill would pass.
Mr MOODY spoke in favor of the bill.
Mr JEWETT moved the previous question, which was seconded by the House, and under the operations thereof-
The bill was rejected by yeas, 44; nays, 47.
