Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-13
Pixies TOOihache Drops cure
in one minute.
THE sTATENOKmAL COLLEGE
misunderstanding Between the
0hanceIIOr and Students.
Nashville American.

The unfortunate trouble between the
students Of the senior class at the State
Normal College, and the Chancellor, DR..
Stearns, continues with no apparent signs
Of abating, in fact storm seems TO be
gradually gathering and threatening to
break forth in its fury within the next
few days, and what effect it will have
upon the school is not hard to deter
mine.
J The trouble in the school has been
brewing for more than year, and grew
partly out of the fact that certain priv.
leges granted the students in the catalogue
had been denied them by the Chancellor.
and some weeks since certain members OF
the senior class drew up Il memorial in
which they recounted their grievances,
and presented them to the Chancellor for
the purPoss OF having him see that they
were redressed. The paper was couehed
IN the most courteous terms, and the
wrongs OF which they complained mod,
estly set forth, and accompanied with a
prayer that the Chancellor restore to them
what they believed 70 be their rights in a
purely business transaction.
Dr. Stearns, it is said, declined 10 hear
their complaints, and turned deaf ear TO
their entreaties. An appeal was made to
the State Board of Education. The memo
rial WIS brought before that body, and
after some discussion handed 10 DR..
atearns, who was at the meeting, with the
frequest that he take them, and II favor
able, adjust the troubles. A good COM
mon sense way was also suggested by
which he could accomplish the object
honorably 10 himself and satisfactorily
TO the students Acting on that sugges-
ton, it Is said he went before the class
and terms were agreed upon and Il was
thought that from h-nceforth everything
would move along swimmingly.
A few days afterward the Chancellor
went East, where he was gone several
weeks, returning week before last. Yes
terday was week ago DR. Stearns went
before the school in an entirely new
frame Of mind, full Of new ideas, and de-
elaring his intention TO pursue the most
extreme measures 10 suppress any insub-
ordination, and also required the students
who had taken part in the memorial pro-
eeedings to make certain concessions or
be expelled from the school. This re-
opened the old matter, and the trouble
began again.
That there is something radically wrong
in the management of the school there
can scarcely be the shadow Of doubt
The long continued and general dissatis,
faction Of the students, many of whom
are graduates Of the best colleges and uni
versities in the country, is an evidence
that there IS at least some inefioiencv in
its Management.
In letter from a distinguished eduea.
tor In this State, to a gentleman In the
city, in speaking Of the State Normal
School, says 1t il far behind the are in
all that pertains to regular normal work.
Instead Of training teachers in the latest
and best methods, 1t does common AGA.
demiic work, Just as any other school Of
similar grade
II is quite possible the capacity for &C.
quiring knowledge on the part
Of the students has outgrown the ability
Of the faculty TO supply il, and the secret
OF the whole trouble might on inyestiga-
ton be found in that fact.
Ex Governor Porter, member of the
Pea ody Board Of Trustees, Yesterday
made a speech before the school, and in
referring to the trouble Of the students.
said They made mistake, that that
board had no authority whatever in the
matter. In this particular, however,
Governor Porter differs widely from DR..
Curry, who, in his last report, tOthe Pea.
body Board Of Trust, said that the State
Board had entire control in The matter.
4" You are benefciaries Of Tie Peabody
lundi II ung'ateful, enough 70 be disssatis.
lied with the institution, why not with
drawn
Don't be guilty Of going about stirring
up little grievances with little men. They
love TO be .partisans and stir up partizan
trouble-mean, low little pests Of soci.
ETY."
The above remarks Of Governor Por-
Ter IL understood BY the students 10 refer
10 the State Board Of Education, before
whom they expect finally to 20 with their
grievances, believing rs they do that the
board has full authority in The matter.
II IS hoped the condition Of affair in the
Normal school will be investigated by
whatever board has the authority, and III
the chancellor is right, let him Be vindi-
Gated, and, II the students be wrong. let
public sentiment strap them severely for
their presumption.
These students, rather than being char.
lty pupils, are, according 10 the terms Of
into the college, parties to con
tract, and the equals IN every respect Of
the other contracting party. They cannot
withdraw unless the conditions Of the con-
tract are violated. The Doctor (Stearnsl |
claims that the students violated the con- |
tract in not rendering cheerful obedience 10 |
college law. lfthat be 80 Why are not
the scholarships at once withdrawn On |
The other hand the students claim that the |
doctor has violated the contract, as they /
show specifically in the memorial, and |
demand an investigation. To avoid this, |
The doctor supercillionsly invites the stu
dents TO withdraw A beautiful way 10
scttle the difficulty The complaining |
Students out Of the way, and the institu- |
lion remains as shaky as ever.