Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-28
THE NORMAL SCHOOL QUESTION.

THE NORMAL SCHOOL QUESTION.
The location of the next Normal
School has been postponed till another
meeting of the Board Of Regents. The
question was brought Up and the peti.
TORS from the ST. Croix Valley, for its
location at River Falls, were presented
after some consideration the matter was
disposed of by the adoption of the fol-
lowing resolution:
Res0Ered.-That the petitions of the people
in the vicinity of River Falls be received and
placed on file; and that the Inhabitants of
other localities i'm the Sixth Congressional
District be invited to present their proposals
for said Normal School. on or before the list
day of May next; and that Regents Starr of
Ripon, Robbins of Platteville, and Weld of
River Falls, be appointed committee to
Orsider The petitions or proposals received.
and 10 examine such sites a may be offered :.
and report their action to the Board at the
next annual meeting.
The resolution was afterward amended,
on motion of Regent Lyndes, that the
committee be increased to five members.
Regents I.yndes of La Crosse, and
Chandler of Sun Prairie. were appoin
ted. The resolution as amended was
adopted.
This resolution, as will be seen, en-
bodies an invitation to other localities to
present their proposals, DC, by the first
of next May. Doubtless there will be
many aspirants in the feld-each lOcali-
ty urging its claims with all the money
and influence it can bring to bear
While, in all probability locality will have
great weight with the Board, we believe
there is no place so fortunately situated
as to receive the school by reason of su-
periOr location only. An expression of the
masses, the character Of the community,
money and individual influence, will go
far in determining its location.
The St. Croix Valley should struggle
for this educational prize. 1t is the on
y state institution we can hope to gain
for many years to come, and this one
can only be secured by united and per
sis:ent effort. If we can concentrate
the united influence Of the entire Valley
upon a single point the battle will be
moro than half won.
The thriving and enterprising village Of
River Falls long ago announced its de
termination 10 bid for the school, With
commendable energy and zeal its citi-
gems have circulated petitions and Sc
cured the endorsement and CO operation
of majority of tho towns in the Valley
Besides all this, in accordance with the
provisions Of specia! law passed last
winter, River Falls and the adjoining
towns of Troy, Kinn:ckinnick. aud Cliff.
ton, voted bonus of $4,000 to aid in
the construction OF the building il the
school were located at that place.
There are other places in the Valley
which can offer fine locations for the
school, and would give money 10 secure
it. Prescott can furnish one Of the fin
est sites in the Northwest, AMI our citi
zens would try as earnestly to bring the
school here as the people of any other
place would for their locality, did they
not consider the fact that River Falls,
furni,hing Inducements equally good
entered tie lists first, and asked Prescott
rs well as ether towns, to aid it in accom-
pIishing lis task; also recognizing the
still further fact. that We could not hope
TO get the school in the Valley at all,
without the cooperation of the larger
and more influential towns.
Hudson has signifed its intention to
join in the scramble" for the school and
the Star and Times strongly advocates
IFS location there.
We deprecate this movement, and
deem it very unwise. True, Hudson
has an undoubted right to get all she can,
and the Star and Times has an equal
right to forward her claims, but, on the
other hand, will not such course, at
this particular time, prove ruinons to
both places, and the school be lost to the
Valley entirelyl We honestly thi nix it
will.
We believe the entire press of the
Valley, with the exception of the Star
aud Times, is favorable to its location at
River Falls, while the public sentiment
of Polk, Pierce and st Croix counties is
very strongly inclined in that direction.
Then why win Hudson kick against
the pricksi" We task the Star and Times
in all fraternal courtesy to join with us
in advocating the claims Of River Falls.
The Hudson Democrat has expressed no
decisive choice as yet, we believe, and
we hope that paper will also fall into line.
River Falls il as much entitled TO the
n