228 IRA W. LEWIS
tionment. The last difference was that no part of the common school fund shall ever be granted for the use or benefit of any religious sect. Included with this was the provision that no distinction shall be made for or against any person on account of any religious opinions in any department of the common school system. In view of the consequent results the broader view of edu- cation was worked out successfully without being limited to exclude sectarianism or possible sectarian prejudice. This report was not considered seriously by the mem- bers of the convention and was soon laid on the table.
The final product of the convention was approved by nearly 20 all of the members. Their approval largely represented the opinion of the public concerning it. The public had tried at one time 21 to organize a school sys- tem, so they were ready and desirous of governmental provisions that would make the school organization ef- fective. The work of the convention on education for this reason was well received by the public.
The provisions gave Oregon an encouraging outlook for the advancement of education. The organization of the schools established the needed system and put it on a uniform basis. Although the state superintendent of public instruction was delayed, all the schools were en- couraged to rise higher and to come up to certain stan- dards among the counties.
The university was delayed until the people were ready for it and at the same time the fund would in- crease to more nearly meet the needs.
The provisions were sufficient to set forth a general plan and to direct the system of development. On the other hand they were not too rigid or inflexible to pre- vent expansion as society might demand after rapid changes. If details and limitations were definite and exacting, the system would be outgrown when changes
20 Opposed by Messrs. Deady, Marple, and Dryer.
21 In 1849.
