changed it and made it a corporation of the District of Columbia. It gave the National Council of Education enlarged powers, and we changed and limited the National Council of Education so as to make it subject to control the same as the other departments named. We modified the bill in such a way that we considered there was no objection to it. In that connection I will say that many educators throughout the land— superintendents of public instruction-almost overwhelmed the committee with letters and telegrams asking us to pass this bill. The opposition all came from Chicago. One lady, who is a teacher in Chicago, protested against it, and asked to be heard. We permitted her to come before the committee and gave a hearing lasting two hours, heard all the objections she urged, and amended the bill to meet valid objections, and if there are any objections besides what she made they have not reached my ears, until the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Sullivan] on the floor of the House opposed the passage of the bill. Mr. Southwick-Mr. Speaker, I yield two minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Will the gentleman let me ask him a question in reply to the one that was asked me as to the control of the funds? Mr. Tawney-I can not yield in the short time I have. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-I have no more time. Mr. Tawney-I can not yield. I want to say a word. I think the gentleman from Massachusetts is unnecessarily wrought up about the provisions of this bill. He insinuates that the men at the head of the organization through this bill seek an unfair advantage of the less prominent members. He speaks about the permanent fund that has been accumulated from the contributions paid by the teachers of the United States belonging to this organization. The gentleman says that under the provisions of this bill that fund may be disposed of at any time by the board of trustees. This is the mere assertion, sir, of the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Sullivan]. It is not founded in fact. One of the primary objects of this bill is to protect this fund and to make it a permanent fund, a fund that can not be encroached upon or disposed of by any member or officer of the organization for any purpose whatsoever. Mr. Goldfogle-Mr. Speaker Mr. Tawney-I decline to yield. No man who has read the bill can say that that is not a fact. The only part of the fund that can be disposed of in the discretion of the trustees or other officers of the organization is the accumulations resulting from the investment of this fund, and that can be expended only for purposes authorized by this association. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Oh, the gentleman knows that he is mistaken about that. Mr. Tawney-The purpose is, I repeat, to protect the fund and to encourage not only members of the organization, but to encourage men of means interested in the work of this organization to contribute to this fund, thus enabling the organization to carry on the important work it is engaged in. This will be accomplished, Mr. Speaker, by the enactment of this bill, making it impossible for those who in the future may control the organization from in any way interfering with or disposing of this fund without first securing an act of Congress authorizing it. This question was carefully considered at the last annual meeting of the National Educational Association at Asbury Park. At that meeting last summer this matter was discussed and acted upon by more than 800 teachers. Eight hundred of whom acted in favor of reincorporation upon the terms of this bill, and only 15 voted against it. This organization has a membership of more than 15,000, and the infinitesimal number opposed to this reorganization now seek through the gentleman from Massachusetts, the home of education, to prevent the accomplishment of that which is deemed essential to its future growth and increased usefulness. Mr. Speaker, the secretary of the National Educational Association, Mr. Irwin Shepard, is my neighbor and personal friend. He has devoted the best part of his life to the upbuilding of this organization. He took hold of that work when the organization was in its infancy, and has built up a national educational institution which is not only the pride of every American interested in national education but an educational organization unexcelled by any nation in the world. I may be pardoned, therefore, if I resent, to some extent, the insinuation of the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Sullivan] that the men behind this bill are actuated by selfish or improper motives, or that they have any intention or desire to take advantage of any member of the association however humble that member may be. Mr. Butler of Pennsylvania-Were the provisions of this bill discussed at the meeting referred to by the gentleman from Minnesota ? Mr. Tawney-The identical provisions in the bill were discussed and adopted. The constitution and by-laws under which the association has existed for twenty years are incorporated in this bill, with the added security to the permanent fund. Mr. Williams-It did not exist for twenty years under the authority of Congress, by a charter of Congress. Mr. Tawney-Oh, yes. The law under which the association was incorporated was enacted by Congress. Mr. Williams-Why didn't they go to New York? Mr. Southwick-Mr. Speaker, I now yield thirty seconds to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Butler]. Mr. Butler of Pennsylvania- Mr. Speaker, the class of teachers for whom the gentleman from Massachusetts speaks-the common-school teachers have sent requests here by the thousands in favor of this bill. My constituents visited this meeting spoken of by the gentleman from Minnesota, and there they understood the purpose of this bill, because they discussed and heard it discussed, and returning, made their wishes known to Congress and the Members of this House. While I know but little about the different provisions of the bill-and if I did, have not the opportunity to discuss them-these intelligent people who have memorialized Congress should have their express wishes complied with, and I shall vote for their bill and am gratified to have the chance. Mr. Southwick-Mr. Speaker, I admire the chivalry and eloquence of the gentleman from Massachusetts. He stands up here on the floor of the House as the sole opponent of this bill. He is eloquent, we will all admit, and chivalrous because he stands up here representing the lady who was the only opponent of the bill before the Committee on Education. We devoted five hearings to this bill, all differences were reconciled and harmonized, and this bill comes before the House with the unanimous report from the Committee on Education. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that debate may extend ten minutes longer. I believe there has been a great deal of misrepresentation in regard to the provisions of this bill. The Speaker-The gentleman from Massachusetts asks unanimous consent that the debate be extended for ten minutes. Is there objection? Mr. Graham-I object. The gentleman took ten minutes' time for an explanation and wouldn't answer a question. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for sufficient time to read section 7, which exposes the power of the board of trustees, and surely the gentleman will not object to that proposition. The Speaker-The gentleman is not in order. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts --I ask unanimous consent to proceed for five minutes. The Speaker -The gentleman from Massachusetts asks unanimous consent to address the House for five minutes. Is there objection? Mr. Graham-I object, Mr. Speaker; the gentleman would not reply when we asked him questions. Mr. Williams-I call for the regular order, Mr. Speaker. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has a right to object, but not to speak on his objection. The Speaker-The question is on the motion of the gentleman from New York to suspend the rules, agree to the amendments, and pass the bill as amended. The question was taken; and on a division (demanded by Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts) there were-ayes 140, noes 37. yeas and nays. Mr. Williams-Mr. Speaker, I call for the The Speaker-The gentleman from Mississippi demands the yeas and nays. As many as are in favor of ordering the yeas and nays will rise and stand until counted. [After counting.] Thirty-one gentlemen have arisen, not a sufficient number, and the yeas and nays are refused. So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. EXTENSION OF REMARKS Mr. Southwick-Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members be allowed to extend their remarks in the Record on the bill (H. R. 10501) to incorporate the National Education Association of the United States. The Speaker--The gentleman from New York asks unanimous consent that Members may extend their remarks on the bill to incorporate the National Education Association of the United States. Is there objection? Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, why does the gentleman want to have Members extend their remarks on this bill? Mr. Southwick-There were some Members of the committee who could not secure time to speak who were anxious to speak. Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Simply to present the views of the committee? Mr. Southwick—To present their individual views. Mr. Williams-Mr. Speaker, I object. The Speaker-The gentleman from Mississippi objects. (From the Congressional Record of April 12, 1906) The House, being in the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, and having under consideration the postoffice appropriation bill— Mr. Smith of Maryland-Mr. Chairman, when the subject of incorporating the National Educational Association was before this House a few days ago, I did not have an opportunity to say a word upon the subject, and as a member of the Committee on Education who carefully considered and cordially supported the measure in committee, I feel that I would be derelict in my duty, not only to the other members of the committee, but to the cause of education, if I remained altogether silent upon this, a subject in which I have always been deeply interested. Not only so, but I do not feel that I would be doing justice to my constituents nor to the State of Maryland, which I have the honor in part to represent. The superintendent of public education in the State of Maryland, Dr. Martin Bates Stephens, speaking for the teachers of that great Commonwealth, strongly recommended and advocated the passage of this measure, and vouches for the correctness of the statement that the vast majority of the active members of the National Educational Association most heartily indorse the rechartering of the association as outlined by this bill. I will further state that Doctor Stephens has risen from the ranks of the country school teachers to the prominent position he now holds in the State and nation as a successful educator, and hence his advocacy-in the State of Maryland, at least-of measures along educational lines is given great weight. I have here a letter from Doctor Stephens and also one from the superintendent of public schools in Baltimore City, Dr. James H. Van Sickle, which, with the permission of the Chair and the House, I will print in the Record with my remarks. The letters referred to are as follows: STATE OF MARYLAND, Washington, D. C. Hon. THOMAS A. SMITH, M. C. MY DEAR MR. SMITH: I write to you in the interest of the bill now before the House of Representatives asking for an extension of the charter of the National Educational Association. For six years I have served as a director of this association for the State of Maryland, and as such I have enjoyed good opportunities to study its management and policy. It has grown to be the greatest educational association in the world, and because of its national character and work I think it is entirely appro priate for the extension of its charter to be made by Congress. The membership of the National Educational Association has reached as high as 35,000, and includes nearly all the wide-awake educators and school supervisors of the United States, not to speak of school principals and teachers. It has given purpose to public education, and through the influences of this organized body order has come out of chaos, and the American school system is taking higher rank every year at home and abroad. Through the standing committees of this association every phase of education has been enriched, and the whole movement toward the essentials of uniformity received its impetus from the work of these committees. It is true that the same men who formulated the policy of this association are still the guiding spirits in the deliberations of this body, but why should they not be? Who could have done the work better? No one can think of the history of this great organization of teachers without thinking of Commissioner W. T. Harris, Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, Albert G. Lane, John W. Cook, F. Louis Soldan, J. M. Greenwood, and others-the two are inseparable. But under such able leadership and good management the splendid results of the National Educational Association are our heritage, and in my opinion the indorsement which the extension of the charter by Congress would imply is richly deserved and should be given to the men who are still controlling its affairs and who, so far as I know, have never abused a trust or proved derelict to a duty committed to them. I hope you will see your way clear to vote for the bill. Its passage means a continuation of the good work so nobly begun. I am, yours, very truly, M. BATES STEPHENS. BALTIMORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, February 15, 1906. Hon. THOMAS A. SMITH, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR The charter of the National Educational Association expires by limitation on February 24, 1906. The bill for rechartering the association, known as H. R. 10501, is, in the judgment of a great majority of the members of the association, one that ought to receive the support of Congress. I, personally, believe it to be a good bill. Trusting that it may receive your support, I am, Yours, very respectfully, J. H. VAN SICKLE. Mr. Smith of Maryland-Now, Mr. Chairman, it is claimed by a small minority of the active members of the association that the words " United States" should not be added to the name of this National Educational Association, and that it should not have a national character, because progress and advancement have been made under the old name. I am inclined to the opinion that there is not much in a name, except as the acts of the individual or individuals make the name honorable and exalted, and while I have heard a great deal said during the last few months about the dishonor attached to the names of some individuals, legislative and business bodies of the United States of America, I am still inclined to think there is yet enough true manhood and statesmanship in this country to make the addition of the words "United States " an honorable and exalted appendage to the name of any society of this country; and, in fact, the more efficient and honorably conspicuous the society or organization, the more fitting and appropriate the addition of the words that still carry with them the pride and glory of the nation. It was contended by a few persons who came before the Committee on Education that this bill took away from the active members of the association the right of the initiative of the control and expenditure of the funds of this association. Why, Mr. |