The Placer herald., 1873-12-20
A QUESTION FOR CONSIDERATION.

From a suggestion by one Of the most pro-
found thinkers, truest of economists and
abest educators in California we have been
led to think much recently on subject which
should demand the earnest consideration of
every man favoring economy and interested
in the cause of education in our State, and
especially do we call The attention Of our
legislators to this subject. We refer to the
Importance of removing the State Normal
School from San Jose to Berkeley and estab-
fishing it in conjunction with the State Uni
they are elephants Of immense size on the
States hands, while if located near each
other the expenses of each could be greatly
reduced, and the result would be far more
satisfactory than derived at present. But
you say eve have been to immense expense
to erect the Normal School Building at San
Jose, and now that it is nearly completed
to abandon it and 60 to the expense of
erecting another would be preposterous. ="
True, it seems so at first sight, hut by look
ing into the subject closely we find the oppo-
site to be the truth. We will say nothing
of what the present building has cost,
which is no small sum, nor what it is, but
will commence from to-day. First, let us
say, we do or should work for results, and
of course it is wisdom to adopt the best and
most economical means of accomplishing
them. This naturally admitted, we next
claim that the results sought to be attained
by the State Normal Schto would be bet
ter, more easily acquired, and with much
less expense if the institution was located in
conjunction with the State University, as
we shall presently see. When the State
Normal School was removed from San Fran
cisco, many who un 1erstood well the nature
and requirements of the institution were
strongly in favor of establishing it across
the Bay. They knew it would be economy,
and better for the school, and they were
right. 1t was economy then-it is economy
still, as we will proceed to show. 1t will
require $40 900 yet to complete the build
ing, $40, 900 to grade the grounds, $4,000
to finish furnishing it, and from 5000 to
$4,000 worth of apparatus is still need
ed, and then the supply is not more than
barely adequate. This makes in all be-
tween $40, 900 and $50 900 now needed,
and which the present Legislature will be
petitioned to allow. This sum alone is am
ply sufficient to erect building at Berkley
large enough and good enough for all de-
;nands for purely normal instruction. Then,
again: Thus located the faculty of the
University, who have ampl, time, could
give all necessary instructions in matter,
and two competent teachers could give the
instructions in method, thus saving good
round sum each year of the amount paid for
salary. AS the Normal School is now con-
ducted, it will require an annual appropria-
ton of at least $4,000 to support it,
which must 20 on forever. When once
frmly y established in conjunction with the
University, tbree-fourths of this sum could
be saved. Thus the economy of running the
institution would be lasting. The advantages
are numerous and also lasting. For sin
gle illustration just think of the great bene-
fits the Normal pupils would derive from the
use of the extensive and valuable collection
of apparatus, books, charts, etc., in the
University. Such an arrangement would
benefit both institutions in more ways than
we have space to mention. This plan of
associating State Institutions of learning is
extensively carried out in the Eastern
States, and always with economy and the
most satisfactory results. The interest at
tached to this subject extends as broad as
the State, and we would like to see every
paper in the State, that has mind to cay
what it thinks, give its views on this sub
ject.
LAND BILL.-Senator lngos presented a
bill to Congress last Monday, which, if
passed, promises relief from the most out
rageous and damnable abuse that has been