The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-05-13

Pref. Phelps In Defense - asAe Nsr.
nal scheols--A BliEEnra Of Bad AF.l /
xumcnt and Abuse.
w1sosA, Msy 8. 1875.
Editor Anti -Monopolist II.
have been requested by several Of
yeur readers to notice an editorial article
ID your issue Of a ril 10Th, entitled 'sThe
Normal Schools Again" in which tnere
are numerous statements and assertions
that they believe will not bear the test OF
a close examinati IN. My respect Tor .he
opinions Of these gentlemen alone induces
me to comply with their request, since 1t
is clear to my swn mind that the sensl-
ments you utter upon the subject under
discussion can never meet with the ap-
probation of any true friend OF our good
public school system, nor can they COM
mand the assent Of any candid person
disposed to examine question that has
really only one side, that side being The
one you hare not chosen.
You seem to be displeased ct the
shrewd suggestion Of the Zumbrota m
deps7adent that Sin the manner Of your
warfare upon the Normal school, yol are
engaged IN the eifert to break down the
common schools Of. the country, playing
upon the ignorance and preju lice Of .
class Of people to accomplish that ignoble
end and you proceed to ask, "What
| has opposition to the Normal schools to
| do with the common schools Of the
State p In another paragraph you
make the bod declaration that ssthe Nor
NAL schools are no part of the common
school system Of this State; thtt
the common school system consists
Of the common schools and the State
University; that the Normal Schools are
IN appendage, an excrescence, an out
growth, mot contemplated BY nor mention
ed in the constitution; that the schools
are to teach the people and the Normal
Schools to teach the teachers; and that
while it may be Of some Importance to
teach how to teach, it is Of thousand
fold more Importance that the people
themselves be taught"
This, then, is your logic. These SEN
fences e,nbody your main proposition.
All your subsequent statements, citations,
facts and reasonings arc manifestly de-
signed to sustain what, to the ordinary
apprehension, will seem to be most pre-
posteroas, illogical and self-contradictory
assertion. Let US, however, subject your
doctrine, as above enunciated. to the test
Of q careful analysis, to the law and to
the testimony. #
l. What is . system! Webster de.
fines it as IAN assemblage Of objects ar.
ranged in regular subordination, or aftcl
some distinct method. usually logical OF
scientific; a complete exhibition Of essen
tial principles or facts arranged in "a
; tional order or connection; complete
J whole Of objects related to some common
, law or principles; regular union Of prin.
, ciples or parts forming one entire thing.
> [Ansver to /. The common school sys
, TEN of this State is defined by the con
5 s;itution Of the State, no. by Webster
1 Dictionary. It declares that "the Legis
l lature shall make such appropriations, b,
i taxation or otherwise, rs, with the incom
: arising from the school fund, will secur
3 a thorough and Efficient system Of put
i tic schools, in each township in the State.
! You will not find in the constitution
4 the State one word about No,ms
. Schools. We had not imported Pro
Phelps when the Constitution was form
+ ed, and hence we were still wandering II
f the dark ages Of legislation. It was no
: believed necessary, in those unhappy day!
:. to spend 100000 for the purpose
! turning out about fifty teachers each ye'
in 4 State that needs about 5000 teacl
ers each year.-EDrroR ATTI-Mosor
list. III
Such is the meaning Of the term '.sy'
= tem,'' Is expounded by our highest =
ID thority. In the light Of it, let us ]
to quire:
II. What constitutes . complete con
- mon school systems According to u
- editor Of the Axrr- MoSoPoLIsr it Is n
~ composed OF the common schools alon
CT but Of the common schools and the SD
he University; that is to say, Of the col
V. mon schools proper, and OF somethil
.. above and beyond them---outside Of the
the State University. but why the Sta
20 University Obviously to complete
nd work beyond that which the comm
for schools are able to do for the favor
ny few who are able to 90 up higher.
~. (Answer to H-No: the state Universit,
part Of the common school system OF the 81
!. because tie Constitution a. tie State Nod
IL ssea; and the national government gave
81 State grant OF public lands on condition :
% the Sts4e would establish such IN UniveFs
:. and It, the University, therefore has const'
Is tioml rights which even Phelps y boun'
- respect; md constitutional rights which
Normal schools have not. Do ycu ohse
'sn that hdi-RDEroR AsTI-xosofo11sT.