Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-11-25

as teacher in her public schools, Prin-
cipal Of the Normal Department and
Superintendent of Public Instruction,
at last fell victim to his untiring zeal
and fidelity to duty, leaving his name
embalmed in the hearts otthe teachers
of hls adopted State.
1t should be borne in mind that the
State Legislature has never appropri-
atcd dollar specifically for building
up the Normal Department. What
has been done, has been accomplished
by the Trustees out Of the University
funds and it should be recorded that
more money has been expended by the
Trustees for the Normal, than any
other professional department OF the
University. From the year 1858 to
1860, when all the other departments
were suspended for want of funds, the
Normal Department was continued in
operation.
1t is freely admitted, however, that
while this Department has done a good
work, yet it by no means has met the
demands of the State, and hence the
cry comes up from almost every coun-
ty, for greater number of profession
ally trained teachers. The Normal
Department OF the University, the
Training Schools i'll some of the cities,
the Normal instruction given in many
of the Colleges, together with the
County Institutes and Conventions,
have each and all tended greatly to ell
evate the standard of teaching, and
your committee would not undervaiue
any of them; yet such is the increase
in tie number of schools and teachers
throughout the State, thatthc demand is
greater than ever before, tar more, aye
many more, professionally trained teach
ers, who not only understand the
branches to be taught, but how to
teach them.
How shall this demand be met:
This is the great question before the cd
uea,ors of Iowa.
Your Committee have given this
subject earnest thought and careful in
vcstiration We have endeavorcd to
look over the whole field and to in
qure, not only what are the wants oi
to-day, but what will be the wants o'
the future. It may be that by wise
legislation, that shall look to present
and prospective demands of education
such system OF Normal Schools may
be secured as shall compensate, in
some degree, Tor the apparent delay
in their establishment.
1t will be remembered that the State
University is at the head of the free
school system OF Iowa. Students from
every part of the State, having begun
and carried forward their education in
the District and High Schools OF the
various counties, may resort to the
University and enjoy freely the facil-
tiles there afforded for completing a
classical, scientific and professional
course OF instruction. The University
Is, and forever should be, the educa-
tional center of the State.
Your committee would suggest that
rs the University is at the head OF tree
schools, so the Normal Department
should be the recognized head OF the
Normal School system of the State
That there be established also, from
year to year such a number OF scpa-
rate Normal Schools rs the wants OF
the State may require. That these
Normal Schools be properly distrlb-
uted throughout the State-that they
all should be of the same grade, each
having limited course of study anil
furnished with all the facilities of a
training school, where the teachers i'll
large numbers may be gathered, and
receive preparation for .eaching III the
primary grades and in the common Or
distric. schools OF the State. The n or
NAL Department Of the University
should have a more extended course OF
study, and facilities for more complete
scientific and professional training
So that even graduates OF the elemen.
tary Normal Schools may, if they de-
sire, attend the University, aud in the
Normal and other departments, pursue
a more extended course of reading,
study and lectures, professional and
scientific, and receive diploma cor
responding to their proficiency.
Such a system viii. require years for
it's development and completion. In
deed it should never be completed; but
should grow with the growth and the
ever increasing demands OF our young
and noble State. BY united and earn
est effort we may inaugurate the sys-
tenn and carry it forward as rapidly as
time will admit.
Your Committee would therefore
recommended the State Teachers Asso-
citation, here assembled, that we me-
morializc our State Legislature at its
next session to grant the following:
1st. An appropriation of $4,000, TO
aid in further development: OF the