The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-02-17
THE NORMAL SCHOOL AGAIN.
A Word from MIR. kellogg.

EDITOR OF News Permit me to say
few words in regard to Honorable
Jacob Stotler's small controversy with
the Board of Directors of the State
Normal School. l deprecate the neces-
sIty for thus taking part in a public
discussion, which up to this time has had
but one participant. However judg-
ments might differ in regard to the best
policy to be pursued in the management
of the Normal School, previous to this
time the custom has been for all parties
to abide the decision of the Board of
Directors, the ultimate authority as pro-
vided by law. Mr.. Stotler's ideas suf-
fered severe defeat by the Board, the
vote being four to one against
them.
lie now takes exception to the de-
liberate action of meeting of the Board
called expressly to consider the very
thing in regard to which he has most
industriously endeavored to create adj
verse public sentiment.
Not only does Mr.. Stotler object to
seems to say that he and Mr.. Overstreet
will entirely repudiate the decision of
the Board of Directors. Here are his
words, published in your issue of the
9th: 81 think the determination of
those members of the Legislaturel
having the appropriations in charge is
to do as they please and give the insti-
tuition what they think is just and right
and no more" Does Mr.. Stotler really
intend to do what he threatens? As
Stunning the action of the Board to be
wholly wrong, it is an assumption of
irresponsible power. If the action of
the Board is right, Mr.. Stotler's threat,
if put into execution, is an outrage upon
the people who sent him to Topeka, a
disastrous blow to the institution, and
he should receive, as he would thor
oughly deserve, severe condemnation.
Was the action of the Board of Direc-
tors right, or was it wrong? Here is
what Mr.. Stotler, who suddenly resign
ed his place as Director few hours
before, put into the hands and mouth
of Mr.. Overstreet, (aOhOse appointment
StOtIer Secured) at the first meeting of
| the Board:
Salary of Principal 100000
+" 81 Preceptress 1900. 90
% - Prof. of Nat. Science 100000
90 one assistant 10000
% 80 Prin. of Model School 100000
Mr.Stotler came into the room while
the members were assembling with a
| Of int Art n
member of the Executive Committee,
with a pencil cut away the figures which
he and Mr.. Eskridge had Jointly recon-
mended to the Board, and substituted
others, which Mr.. Overstreet advocated
in the open Board as his own ''convic-
tions of duty" to use his own phrase.
Mr.. Stotler did this without previous
| consultation with Mr.. Eskridge, and
without intimation to any member of
the Faculty that he considered the for
mer estimates too high The Board at
this meeting was not well attended, the
proceedings began without a quorum !;
through the omission of Mr.. Stotler, the
Secretary, no regular notice of the meet
ing had been sent to any member of the
Board outside of Topeka at no time
was there more than four voting mem
bers, besides the presiding officer, Gov.
Harvey. The meeting was not so ''re-
gnldT" as it might have been. BY the
persistency of Mr.. Overstreet, Stotleris
figures were, with slight amendment,
voted, although more than once the cast
ing vote of the presiding officer was
necessary to break a tie. State Super
intendent McCarty, with earnestwords,
and negative vote, protested against
each step in the proceedings. The
Principal of the Normal School also
protested earnestly, especially against
the entire cutting out of the salary for
an additional assistant. This particular
action was considered by the Faculty in
the light of grievance rejecting SER
iously upon their industry.
At Faculty meeting the following
statement of opinion and petition was
drawn up and signed, and tie Principal
instructed to present it to the Board,
together with the opinion of the teach
ers in regard to the salaries in general.
To the Honorable board Of directors Of the
State Normal School:
ers in the State Normal School, beg leave to
| submit the following statement Of opinion,
and petition. In our judgment, tbs employ