were extended to all incorporated towns and cities. The number of libraries organized under these laws was not great. The law of 1901 transferred the power to make the tax levy to the common councils of cities and the town boards of towns and made it mandatory if a certain sum of money is raised by popular subscription. The library is under the management of a board of seven persons, three of whom are appointed by the Judge of the Circuit Court, two by the board of school trustees and two by the common council or town board as the case may be. The members are subject at any time, for cause shown, to removal by the respective appointing powers."

(d) The State Library. The State Library is an institution which is being made of more value to the general public and to investigators. It was established by law in 1825,3 largely for the purpose of collecting and preserving the State publications. For this reason it was placed under the authority of the Secretary of State. This officer, being occupied chiefly with other matters, gave it little attention and its growth was exceedingly slow. In 1841 the office of State Librarian was created, and that officer was thereafter elected by the General Assembly on joint ballot for a term of three years. Under this law the Librarian was, with a few notable exceptions, appointed in reward for some political service or because of favoritism and not because of merit and competency. Hence little progress was made.

In 1895 the State Board of Education was constituted the State Library Board and given authority to elect a State Librarian for a term of two years, or until his successor is elected. The State Library Board has power to remove for cause, at any time, the State Librarian or any of his assist

3

1 Laws, 1883, p. 209. . 1 Ibid., 1901, pp. 81-86. 3 Ibid., 1824-5, pp. 47-9, * Laws, 1841, pp. 114-119. In 1852 the term was reduced to two years. Rev. Stat., 1852, p. 348.

ants.'

The good effect of these provisions is already quite

noticeable.

This brief survey of the educational system shows that the history of its development may be roughly separated into two periods one of decentralization, prior to 1843, and one of centralization, since that time. The discussions during the six years preceding that date reveal evidences of dissatisfaction with the system, and a decided drift of public opinion towards centralization. It is not to be understood that a well formulated scheme of central control was adopted in 1843. But the making of the State Treasurer the Superintendent of Common Schools was the beginning of the movement which has been retarded only occasionally, when the progress has been too rapid to secure popular approval. As soon as one experiment had been justified by the results, another forward step was taken. As in the case of most political institutions which are successful, the present system is not one contrived by a priori theorists, but one which is an historical product. It has grown by the application of wisdom and common sense to the practical problems of education.

5. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AT THE PRESENT TIME.2

I. Local Administration. (a) The District Meeting and the Director. The statutes still recognize the legal existence of the district meeting. All taxpayers of the school district (except married women and minors) who have been listed as parents, guardians or heads of families, are entitled to assemble annually on the first Saturday in October and elect one of their number director of the school. They have

1 Laws, 1895, pp. 234-5.

In presenting the leading features of the present administration of the common schools it will be necessary in some cases to repeat in brief the substance of statements already made.

authority also to decide what branches, in addition to those prescribed by law, shall be taught, and the length of the school term beyond the period required by law. Subject to the "sound discretion" of the township trustee, they may direct repairs of the school-house and may petition the trustee for the sale or removal of the school-house, for the erection of a new one, or upon any other subject connected therewith. In case of a failure to elect, the township trustee has power to appoint a director.' In practice this seems to be the most common procedure. meeting in many parts of the State has become obsolete.

The district

The director presides at school meetings and records their proceedings. He is the organ of communication between the inhabitants and the township trustee. He is charged with the care of the school-house and property. He visits and inspects the school and may exclude refractory pupils, subject to appeal to the trustee."

(b) The School Township. The district meeting has no corporate existence. The real primary unit in the rural districts is the school township; in the urban districts, the school town or school city. "Each civil township and each incorporated town or city in the several counties is declared a distinct municipal corporation for school purposes." 3 The trustee of the civil township is also trustee, treasurer and clerk of the school township. He is elected by the voters of the township for a term of four years.

The trustee has extensive authority in school matters. "The voters and taxpayers have but little, if indeed any, voice or part in the control of the details of educational affairs." 5 He receives the school revenue apportioned to

1 School Law (ed. 1897), sects. 4498-9.

Ibid., sect. 4438; Laws, 1897, p. 64.

• Laws, 1899, p. 64.

Wallis v. Johnson Township, 75 Ind. Reports, 374.

2 Ibid., sects. 4503-4506.

his township, keeps it separate from the funds of the civil township, applies it to the purposes specified, and is required to render an annual account of his receipts and expenditures to the township advisory board.' He employs teachers; establishes and locates a sufficient number of schools; provides suitable houses, furniture and apparatus ; and has the care and management of the school property.3 He may either singly or jointly with another trustee establish a high school. He has considerable discretion in respect to the consolidation of schools.5 He is required annually to make elaborate statistical reports to the county superintendent. It is his duty, either in person or by deputy, to take an annual enumeration of all unmarried persons between the ages of six and twenty-one years, resident in his township. This list includes the names of parents or guardians, and designates the township in which each resides. For failure to do his duty in respect to making the various reports, his township suffers a diminution of its apportionment of the State tuition revenue. In appeals from the decisions of directors, excluding pupils, his decisions are final. He has the care and custody of the lands belonging to the congressional township fund and, with the consent of the voters of the township, may lease or sell them. The office is obligatory, and the trustee is subject to removal by the county commissioners for fraud." The tax levy of the township for school purposes is made by the township advisory board.12

ΤΟ

1 School Law (ed. 1897), sects. 4441, 4442; and Laws, 1899, pp. 155–6. 'For exceptions see page 38 above.

Viewed from the present, it appears that the schools would have been benefited to a still greater degree if the educational functions of the township had been separated from the civil functions and assigned to a board chosen because of its interest in education and its professional qualifications. Such a recommendation has been made repeatedly by the most eminent educators. This may be one of the progressive steps of the near future.

6

(c) Cities and Incorporated Towns. In cities and incorporated towns the schools are under the management of a board of three school trustees,' elected in cities by the common council, in towns by the board of town trustees.3 These corporations are distinct from the civil corporations,* and their actions are not subject to review by the civil authorities. Their powers and duties are, in general, similar to those of the township trustee. In addition they have authority to establish kindergartens (in cities having a population of 6,000), night schools' (in cities having a population of 3,000), manual training schools (in cities having a population of 100,000), and to employ a superintendent 9 for the purpose of supervision and direction of the entire system. Town schools are subject to the authority of the county superintendent; but any city schools having a regularly employed superintendent may be exempted from his authority, provided a written request to that effect be made by the school board of the city."

8

1 In Indianapolis a board of five school commissioners has charge of the schools. 2 In a few of the larger cities a different method is used. See Rawles, W. A., The Government of the People of the State of Indiana, 1900, pp. 108–9.

School Law (ed. 1897), sect. 4439.

4 Wright v. Stockton, 59 Ind. Repts., 65.

School Law (ed. 1897), sects. 4440-4, 4450.

6 Laws, 1901, p. 123.

• Ibid., 4447 d-4447 f.

11 aws, 1899, p. 242.

"School Law (ed. 1897), sect. 4447 b, 4447 c. 10 Ibid., sect. 4429.

• Ibid., sect. 4445.