222 IRA W. LEWIS
general provisions in less than half the states. The other states failed to mention education. These general provisions in accordance with the recommendation of Congress encouraged the establishing of elementary schools and the protection of the colleges. In the second period the constitutions began broadening out and pro- viding for the safeguarding of the school lands and funds. This latter part was less evident in the southern constitutions. The rapid extension of the population from the east toward the west affected the constitutions of this period. The last period beginning in 1835 in- fluenced the formation of Oregon's educational provisions more than the others. This period was characterized by more liberal reactions to educational needs. Michigan 5 was the first state to permanently establish the state superintendent of public instruction. Numerous details as placing a minimum on the price of school lands for sale, setting a minimum school term and the like, 6 were included so that long provisions were necessary and were characteristic of this period. These detailed provisions removed the authority largely from the legislature and placed it in a more permanent unflexible form, less liable to be changed. State institutes, normal schools and libraries were created in this period. It was also marked by the first antagonism of the ecclesiastical bodies toward state schools.
The constitutional convention 7 met, as authorized by the legislative assembly of the Oregon territory in the previous year, in Salem at the court house. The dele- gates assembled August 17, 1857, and completed their work September 18, 1857. The delegates were repre- sentatives of the counties based on population and com- posed of many able and capable men. Some that stand
5 In 1837.
6 See Constitution of loiva, 1846, Article IX; Wisconsin, 1848, Article X; and Michigan, Article XIII.
7 Journal of the constitutional convention of Oregon.
