The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-22
SEATTLE, WEDNESDAY. xA1cH -.

SEATTLE, WEDNEsDAY. MARCH -.
THE CHENEY NORMAL SCHOOL.
The action of Gov. McGraw in cutting
down the general appropriation bill and
effecting saving to the state OF nearly
$500, 600 meets with the approval Of the
people of the state- 1t is generally recog.
nized that the governor pursued the only
proper. course that he could pursue In
striking out those appropriations which.
though meritorious in themselves. were
not absolutely essential 1t this time.
The people of Whatcom county, while
naturally disappointed at the failure OF
the governor to approve of the appropria-
ton of SIS, GOO for the establishment of .
normal school at Whatcom, are agreed
that he did the right thing in striking out
this appropriation rather than the appro-
prlation of $4,000 for the building Of
road across the mountains. which il
matter of pressing public Importance.
There may be q question. however, ~ to
whether the governor has not unwitt,ngly
worked hardship in striking out en-
tirely the appropriation for the normal
school at Cheney. So far - the appropri-
alton of $6O, 600 for new building is con-
cerned, his action is not open to criticism.
The state at the present time is not
in . condition TO expend more money
than Is absolutely necessary. and the
governor, in limiting the expendi-
lures for building purposes TO one
school at this time doubtless did the right
thing. That Ellensburg was the favored
locality was probably due to its geographic
cal position moro than to anything else.
The erection Of normal school buildings
in other parts of the state can DO carried
on q the resources of the state make it
possible and desirable.
The question of the maintenance Of .
school already established and IN complete
running order is, however, different mat
ter. The people Of Cheney represent that
the school located there. which has been in
existence for three years, can be satisfac-
torily carried on in the rented building
now occupied. They further represent
that If the school is suddenly closed an in
justice will be done to the pupils. OF whom
there are about 10 At this time. That the
feeling 10 shared by the pupils themselves
Is shown by the following petition adj
dressed by them to the governor:
10 His Exeeseny Co.. J. IL McGrass: We. the
senior class OF 90 of Cheney State Normal
A. Il. 49,, h.
ernor OF the state OF Warrington. to recall the
veto OF the bill for appropriation for our school.
We have been in attendance at the school
during the past three years with tho hope and
expectation Of completing the course aud re.
ceiving our diplomas I'm June. ls92
Notwithstanding the fact that tho tuition 10
free. our expenses have been heavy. Most Of u
are dependent upon our own Efforts for support,
and should tho school here suspend at this time
We would he unable to 90 elsewhere TO com.
plete our course.
Upon entering the school We made . contract
with the state picdging ourselves to teach in re-
turn for diplomat II tho school 10 closed now,
We lose what Is rishtfuliy ours ana what has
been promised Us by the state.
In consideration Of these facts we most earn
estly beseech you to reconsider your action in
veto!ng the appropriation for the maintenance
OF our school
The sudden shutting down Of tho school,
moreover, would involve an indirect loss to
the state by reason of the fact that tho
school 10 now fully equipped with every
thing necessary for its maintenance, which
the state has already paid for.
The request OF the students that the gov
ernor reconsider his veto could not have
been legally granted. There is another
way, however. in which the m after can be
adjusted In case. upon investigation. it is
found desirable to continue the school.
House bill No. 263, which was intro
duced by Mr.. Shade and which became a
law. provides:
That In case OF An emergency requiring the
oxper allure Of q greater sum OF money than
she amount appropriated by the legislature for
such Institution or department In any two
years, or for the expendiag OF money not sps-
cincally provided by law. there Is hereby created
IN emergency board. consisting OF the governor.
secretary of state state auditor, state treasurer
AMI attorney general
The governor shall hs the presiden. ana tho
secretary OF state shall be the secretary Of the
boarsi. The secretary shall keep a complete
secord Of the proceedsngs Any board OF of.icer
contemplated In this act desiring To ask
authority to creates deficiency viii notify
tie secretary In writing, setting forth tuIIv
tho facts In connection with the case 3
coon - can 10 done conveniently. The secretary
viil arrange for q meeting Of the board, and
Vtti notify tie board or officer Of the sirns sut
place 81 meeting and requesting their or bis
prcserca Before q permit 10 granted i, must
have the approval 0. NOS less than four nea,s.r.
Of tie emergency board. who shall slsn the
same
Under this law the officials named
would doubtless have the power to grant
the relief necessary If four members of the
hoard were agreed that the school should
hs kept open. The proper thing for
the trustees of the school TO do is 10 ask
for authority to create . deficiency as
stated IN the Law. II they are able
10 demonstrs.s that the best interests OF
the state Will be subserved by keep
ing the school running the board have
the authority 10 grant them relief. So far
as Gov. McGraw is concerned he will un-
douhsedly &C. in the matter with perfect
fairness. and viii not hesitate to change
his opinion II additional information re-
rsrdins the situation seems 10 justify It
The other state officials named IS mem
hers Of the hoard can also be relied upon
80 deal with the question fairly and on its
merits.
A high school is good thing; a col
lege Is = good thing: bat better thing
than higher education" IL . boy with