The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-26
NORMAL SCHOOL ROW
Prof. TOmpkins Will Not Discuss
1t at the Teachers Meeting.
The Committee on Programme Did Not
Slight President Parsons-1he
Opening Session Tonight.

A number of dispatches have been sent
out from Terre Haute during the last few
days stating that the management Of the
State Normal School was decidedly out of
sorts because Professors Tompkins and
Woods had been put on the programme of
the State Teachers Association, which be-
gins its meeting at the Statehouse this even
ing. 1t was even intimated that the COM
mittee put these gentlemen on the pro-
gramme so as to give them opportunity
to discuss the Normal School row. Prof,
A L. Mumlke. of the committee. was at
the Grand last night and stated that the
reports were untrue as far as they related
to any connivance the part of the COM
mittee to bring up the Normal School row.
He says the attendance Of teachers this
year will be larger than at any other meet
ing of the association. He is authority for
the further statement that neither Prof
Tompkins nor Professor Woods will talk
of the Normal School row. at least will not
bring 1t out in their papers.
The committee met last February and de.
cided to ask Professor Tompkins to read a
paper at this meeting of the association.
This was before the controversy at the Nor
NAL School came up. 1t was recognized
that he is one of the most prominent and
mittee was glad to have him take place
on the programme. We did not consult with
President Parsons, of the Normal School,
as 10 the programme, nor did we consult
with any college president for that matter
The title of Professor Tompkins's paper
will be The Law of the School, and the
central idea of it, so 1 have heard. is that
the Normal School exists for the benefit Of
the child and not for the professors. The
reason the committee did not select Presi-
dent Parsons for place was because he
was on the programme last year and we
did not feel that it would be fair to put
him on again this year. We selected Vice
President Sanderson to represent the school.
L see it stated in the Journal that the place
assigned him is considered an undesirable
one by the Normal School folks. 1t is not
an undesirable place. He has been as
signed to read paper on the first night
Heretofore it has been the custom TO have
only the inaugural address on the opening
evening, and as the programme of this
evening has usually been somewhat dry,
We decided to put Professor Sanderson on
for that tight in order to better attract
attention sad attendance. We considered
that 1t was an honor. l do not believe that
there will be any considerable dissatisfac-
ton Terre HaIIte account of the pro-
gramme. L do not think they intend TO
keep away on account OF Professor Tomp-
kins being on the programme. believe
they are simply afraid that the old trouble
will come I'D. OF course the committee
cannot dictate to man what he shall write
in his paper but L do not believe that Prof.
Tompkins will take the occasion TO make
an attack on the president or 10 revive this
old trouble The reason Professor Woods
selected to discuss Professor Temp
kinS'S paper was because they are both at
tending Chicago University and would have
an excellent chance TO confer on the sub
say for me, however, that | usually am on
the side Of the under dog in fight. l do
not believe in kicking man when he is
down. Professor TOmpkinSS paper will
draw well. for he is well known and well
liked all over the State: If a fight is pre-
cipitated the responsibility will rest with
the Normal School management I have
seen dispatches sent out from Terre Haute
to papers in Louisville, St Louis and Chi
cago fOreShadOwing controversy"
Twill the association probably make any
recommendations 70 the Governor relative
to the appointment of trustees to ill the
vacancies that will be next month";
Il do not think it will"
Professor Mumke, who is superintendent
of the schools at Nincennes, said he did not
think the association would discuss the
school book law on account of lack of time
although he thought 1t should be discussed
by the teachers.
a number OF the members of the associa-
ton arrived last night at the Grand Hotel,
which is the headquarters of the associa-
ton. l.. o: Dale president OF the associa
lowing publishing houses have representa-
tives there: American Book Company, d.
c.. Heath & Co., the Prang Educational
Company the w. A. Olmstead Company
and CHM & Co. The township trustees and
county superintendents also have their head
quarters there.