The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-06-23
LIE NORsaAL sCmooa..

of the Board of Regents is declared
to be Gin The matter no less than the
manner exceedingly discourteous
and unkindD to certain teachers, and
it is also affirmed that if "the object
was 10 perpetuate the school the
Board could not have pursued a
moro unWise and impohtic course"
AS such statement IN an Emporia
paper, uncorrected. is calculated to
injure the Normal school, both i'm
mediateIy and prospectiyely, ask
the privilege of explaining the ac-
ton referred 20.
AS is well knoWn,b the action of
the last Legislature, appropriations
for the State Normal school ceased
with the term closing March 23d.
TIE Board of Regents at their
meeting, March 18th, had before
them the problem of continuing or
closing the Normal school AS they
had not a dollar to offer teachers,
and were expressly prohibited from
incurring financial obligations, il
was manifest that either the school
must be closed or some feasible plaB
devised, outside of State appropri-
atoms, for conducting it. At Wino-
ma, in Minnesota, and ConcOrdia, in
this State, the citizens rallied to the
financial support of the Normal
school when the State deserted it,
but neither then nor now has the
Board of Regents received any
financial encouragement from the
citizens of Emporia. In this crisis,
as no one else had anything TO offer,
I made ID the Board two PROPOSE
tions by which thought the Nor
NAL school could be continued until
the close of the summer term. One
was identical with the proposition
just adopted by the Board for the
next two terms, the other the plan
upon which the Normal school has
been conducted the past term. I'm
der tho circumstances / favored, at
that time, the plan which the Board
adopted, leaving it to the option of
teachers to remain or leave. 1t
would have been no discourIesy to
any teacher at that time, had any or
all Of them been discharged on the
ground of financial inability to re-
tain them.
The propositions before the Board
were made in the presence of Mr..
Stotler and Mr.. Eskridge, and were
public property. The teachers ac-
cepted the situation, and did faith
fully the work of tbs summer term,
cheerfully bearing its burdens and
its financial losses.
1t was understood that at the an
nual meeting Of the Board of Re-
gents, the Normal school would
have to be closed unless somebody
should step to the front and assume
the responsibility of continuing the
work. Citizens and teachers had
every reason TO expect the school
would be- closed and the Faculty
discharged.
When the Board met on Tuesday,
18th, the problem OF continuing or
closing the Normal was again be-
tore them, with increased difficult
ties. The plan upon which it had
been conducted during the summer
term was not feasible, if for no 9TH
er reason, from the fact that not a
single teacher in the Faculty would
be willing TO accept it. After full
discussion the Board were unanimous
in the opinion that, If possible, the
Normal school should be continued
until farther action by the Legisla-
ture. 1t was felt that this was due
to the large number of students
who had partially completed their
studies at the Normal, and who de-
sired to continue them.
Representing the State, especially
Southern and Southwestern Kansas
the Board desired to keep open, if
possible, this school for those desir-
ing its advantages. Moreover, the
Board of Regents were unanimous
in the judgment that the claims OF
the Normal school to the recogni-
ton and support of the next Legis.
lature, would be stronger and more
effective, to continue a ti0iRg school
than to be compelled TO TesHrFect 10
from the dead. At this juncture, nc
other party or proposition being be-
fore them, renewed the proposal
previously made at the meeting in
March. l did this without urging
in the least its acceptance. 1 did it
with my eyes open to the financial
burden it would impose and prob
able loss it would entail. Blu
had become deeply interested
in the success of the Nor
NAL school, and had such faith in til
future, that felt willing to accept
the situation if the Board of Re,
gents approved the plan.
It was certainly gratifying to me
to have their cordial and unanimous
endorsement, and marked expires.
sion of confidence, in the trust they
assign ed me in placing the Normal
school for the next two terms in my
hands.
OF course the "plan" was, as fal
as possible, founded on 6usines.
principles. No sane person would
assume the financial responsibility
of carrying on such a school as the
Normal, without being left free tc
exercise his own judgment concern.
ing the methods and means to bt
employed. lie who takes the TisG
in business operation must have
freedom of choice and action, oil
failure becomes necessity. Now
in the light of this history OF the