224 IRA W. LEWIS
flour milling. He was a member of the territorial legis- lature.
These men formed the articles which were largely approved by the convention and consequently little time was needed for discussion. All together the time ex- pended by the convention on education was not more than a day. 11 The discussion that took place favored delaying indefinitely the establishing of a state univer- sity, preserving the university fund irreducible for ten years and providing no restriction on the color of chil- dren attending the schools. The minority report of Mr. Marple differed with the ideas of the majority of the committee, consequently was reported separately. It was not considered seriously by the convention and in a short time was laid aside.
In providing for an executive for the state educational system the convention was strongly inclined toward con- servatism. Instead of creating a state superintendent of public instruction, as other states had done, since it began in Michigan in 1837, they sought to place the power and duties on an existing state official. The secretary of state was suggested by the committee 12 but the gov- ernor was preferred and chosen by the convention. The convention accepted the report of the committee on this provision with little discussion. The governor was given the duties and powers that were prescribed by law. He was to hold the position for five years, then when the legislature saw fit, it could provide by law for the election of a state superintendent of public instruc- tion and designate his powers and duties. The governor being busy with official duties did not have time to carry the additional burden of organizing, systematizing and building up the schools. This delay in establishing a separate state superintendent of public instruction lasted
11 A half a day was spent in the committee of the whole, and the rest practically in the routine of passage.
11 Report of the convention in the Oregonian, Aug. 26, 1857.
