The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-02-16
Normal school LegI.IatIou,

Since the Senatorial election, there
IL probably no question in which
the citizens of the State take more
lively interest than that regarding
Normal SCHOOLS. The actien of the
legislature last winter, followed by
the agitation of the subject by the
press and by the teachers of the
State at their various institute gath
erings, has aroused deep solicitude
concerning the disposition of the
question by the present legislature.
The feeling Is natural and healthful,
indicating just appreciation upon
the part of the people of the value
Of our educational Interests. What
ever few preJudiced or ignorant
partizanS may say, the mass of the
intelligent people of the State are in
favor of the best education of teach
ers. The reports of county superin.
tendents, in the annual report of the
state superintendent, confirm this
assertion. While there exists q
wide difference of opinion concern
ing the best system, there is an al
most unanimous concurrence of SEN
timent regarding the necessity of
some effective system of normal in
struction. We are glad to know
from all the sources of information
within our reach, that the present
Legislature are In sympathy with
this feeling, and that the question
now, is not regarding the desirable
ity and necessity of normal instruc-
ton, but concerning the best sys-
tenn for the State of Kansas. In
another article we have given our
view of the relative merits of the
uniform and graded systems of nor
NAL schools, as discussed in the
pamphlets of Prof. Wherrel and
Prof. PomerOy. We desire here to
call attention to some of the govern
ing principles which should influ-
ence legislation upon this important
question Of educational policy.
And fret, we emphasize the press
ing demand that this great interest
makes for intelligent and unpartizan
statesmanship. This subject, above
all others, should be decided upon
its merits. The interests of Emporia,
Leavenworth, ConcOrdia, or Law
renee, In deciding this question, are
no greater than those OF any other
portion of the State, and while it is
natural that these points should es-
pecially urge their views upon this
question the legislature, as q body,
should occupy q higher standpoint
and decide upon broader grounds,
the policy which is to affect the ed
ucational work of the whole State.
AL undue local influences should be
rejected, and especially any and ev-
erything which emanates from 8
combination of such influences, seek
ing to control legislation apon q
question of such . complex charac-
ter, many sided, and upon which
educators differ, manifestly the true
Statesman will give great weight
to any embodied expression of the
leading educators of the country
who have given special attention to
the solution of this problem. The
plan recommended by the Normal
Committee, appointed by the Ma
tional Teachers Association, from
this point Of view, should be recog-
nized OF the highest authority, espe-
cIally emphasized as It is by the more
recent statement of Prof Wicker
sham, a. given In his letter to Prof.
Pomeroy.
The main tests of the best system
are its effectiveness and its econo-
my. We commend the discussion
OF the contrasted merits of the uni
form and graded systems, in the
light Of these tests, as found in Prof.
Pomeroy's pamphlet, to the atten-
dye confederation of members of
the Legislature. The adoption of a
policy which would place upon the
young State Of Kansas, such griev-
QUE financial burden as the States
of New York and Pennsylvania are
now FESTIVE under, and which adds
TO its cumbersomeness and expen-
equitably and effectively the de-
mands fer normal instruction, is
greatly to be deprecated. The fact
that the State has first class Nor
NAL School Building, with needed
appurtenances, centrally located,
and with land endowment which
cannot be honestly alienated, at
Emporia, 10 . controlling reason
why shIs normal school At Emporia
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