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116 JOHN C. ALMACK

intendent Milner in 1885. Article I, section 5, of the Bill of Rights is explicit :

"No money shall be drawn from the Treasury for the benefit of any religious or theological institution ; nor shall any money be appropriated for the payment of any religious services in either house of the Legislative Assembly."

Therefore, the schools proposed to become state institutions in fact. A formal offer of the property of the schools was made to the legislature, and accepted without debate. In fact, the legislators felt the state had the better of the bargain, and regarded the acquisition of the buildings, grounds and equip- ment of the schools as so much gain.

The acceptance of the property did not pledge the legis- lature to grant aid, but the obligation to do this was expressed by others. State Superintendent G. M. Irwin in his biennial report to the assembly in 1889 said :

"It is not good policy to authorize normal schools which the state does not control, and whose support it does not guar- antee. It should be seen to that they are de facto what they are in name. All that come away should show that they are 'apt to teach.' Much criticism on just this point may be found in various quarters, but the ground for such criticism should be removed. Laws governing the institutions should be made harmonious."

The criticism referred to was that other courses besides those needed for teachers were being given, and that the students did not become teachers. These criticisms were often repeated. Governor Sylvester Pennoyer also expressed himself on the question of normal schools. In his message to the legislature in 1893 he said :

"By accepting the gift of college property (at Monmouth) the state became morally and legally bound to extend aid to that institution."

Ashland, though an early applicant for an appropriation, was not to receive one. Weston had supplanted her in the favor of the law-makers. On February 21, 1893, a bill was passed authorizing the governor to appoint a board of nine members which with the state board of education should con-