Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-04-08
State Normal School.

met at Madison, on the 25th of March
ult. The Board as now organized con-
sists of the following members, viz
G. c. Sholes, w. E. Smith, L. III. Carey,
Silas Chapman, III. Robbins, DIR. Max
on, j. t. Clark, J. Howe and John
Hodgson.
Hon. G. G. Sholes of Kenosha, was
elected President of the Board.
The following resolution which was
unanimously adopted, indicates the pol
icy of the Board, in relation to the dis
tribution of the Normal School fund.
ReSoloed, That in the opinion of this
Board no College or Academy of this
State is entitled to any portion of the
fund provided for in Section l of the
"Act for the encouragement of Acad-
emies and Normal Schools, except such
as may have presented, or shall present
satisfactory evidence of the establish
ment, in connection herewith, of q sep
arate Normal Department.
The Board after confering with the
committees on education, both in the
House and Senate, agreed upon amend
ments to the present law authorizing the
establishment of Normal Schools, to be
submitted to the Legislature. The most
essential amendments, recommended are
the following-to include Female Col
feges, possessing a Capitol of $4,000,
in the list of institutions which may be
entitled to share of the Normal School
fund, on compliance with the regula-
tons Of the Board of Normal School
Regents; also to include Public Union
or High Schools.
A State Normal School or Schools,
where teachers may be qualified to in
struct in our common schools, should be
regarded by all enlightened minds as
great necessity. The most distinguish
ed friends of education, both in this
country and in Europe, now esteem
Normal Schools of primary Importance,
to the success of any educational sys.
tenn. Wherever prejudices have been
entertained against schools of this dis
as innovations upon the estab-
lished institutions for public instruction,
they have speedily disappeared, where
their utility has been practically tested. |
Their object and design, is to benefit |
the great mass of mankind, by prepar-
ing teachers ofyouth, both practically and
to communicate a vastly
greater amount of useful elementary
knowledge, than can possibly be effect
I'd by Anticipated modes of instruction
ordinarily in use. These institution were
irst organized in Europe; they have
and constantly increased in
in various countries, and have
produced great revolutions in the art
If communicating primary instructions.
We have noticed in some quarters in
our State, disposition to disparage the
of Normal Schools; or at
east, to question their being aided by
unds belonging to the State. 1t is OBJ
ected, that the State may with equal
aid individuals in acquiring
l leg profession, or some mechanical
rade, as to appropriate monies to fit
.eachers for the occupation of teaching
II our common schools. This is taking
a superficial view of the subject, as will
De seen from proper statement of the
premises. One of the primary objects
Of the state, as expressed in its funda-
mental law, is to educate the people,
The state undertakes to educate all the
children of suitable age within its linn
It's; for this object funds are specifically
set apart, sacredly to be appropriated
for that purpose and no other. This is
not only the settled policy of this State,
but of majority Of the states of the
Union. 1t then is a question of inter-
est and public economy, how can the
object which the State undertakes to
accomplish, be reached the most
thoroughly and effectualy? What are the
shortest and most certain means for
the end sought to be obtained? |
Experience not only in this country
but in Europe, has proven that the most
economical way for the securement of
the object, is to educate teachers, so as
to make them successful laborers in do
ing the work, which the State intends
to have done. The State does not I'M
dertake to educate every child in the
profession of the law, in a mechanical
trade, or in the business of agriculture;
therefore the education OF teachers, does
not apply the same as to other occupa-
tons. Our State Legislature seems in
olined to establish n State Agricultural
College; such an institution would doubt |
less contribute TO the development of |
our agricultural interests. But how any |
member of our State Legislature, can
vote for aiding the establishment of an
College, by appropriations
from the funds of the State, and at the
same time, doubt the policy of sus-
aiming Normal Schools, is matter of |
questionable consistency.
1t is hoped the Legislature before its
inal adjournment, viii make some pro