The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-02-15

and 1 want to congratulate
the city on having a state normal
school located here. It has helped
build up the city and has been
power in advancing it's intellectual
standards. In eastern cities and Eu-
rope great institutions of learning
have built up great cities. This build
ing is not half as long as an ocean
steamer and will not hold half as
many people. In the future all will
know that Mankato was fortunate in
being selected as site for normal
school. The speaker referred to the
founding of the first three normal
schools; Winona wanted it's building
first, but Mankato and St. Cloud
wanted to start at the same time, for
fear the schools would prove fad and
they would get left. A bill for $50, 900
to each of the schools was vetoed by
Gov. Marshall, but | got one through
afterwards for Winona for $50, GOO
Mankato and ST. Cloud people were
much incensed. The schools have
proved excellent, and the standard of
citizenship has been raised by the
teachers going out from them. They
are raising the standard of scholar
ship in the high schools and state
universities. We hope and expect
that our university will become the
university of the land. Some of US
had poorer privileges than you have
here now. The parents are showing
their good Judgment by giving to
their children something that was
denied to them. All teachers from
these schools will not be successful,
but the same is true of all other pro-
fessiOns. We should not discourage
the others because now and then one
fails. Formerly there was a bitter
prejudice against normal schools
among the members of the legis-
latures, but now, as they travel
around, they become enthusiastic for
the normas. If we build up our
normal schools we are doing the very
best thing for the state that can be
done.
Representative Robbins was called
on, and said that the hope of the
country lies in the normal schools. !
have full faith in the young people,
and believe that the future can be
entrusted in your hands and others
like you. Washington warned the
country against allowing any radical
change in the government to be
made, at the behest of those who are
always after changes. No changes
should be made unless thoroughly
tested by long experience. There is
always room at the top, and this ap-
plies to the normals. | want to see
with the best nOrmals and
the best university of the country. L
wish that every wife and mother in
the country was normal graduate.
If the state does not always receive
full returns in teaching, it does in the
homes of our people, which are the
of state.
Eli S. Warner was introduced, and
said that as he had not been to the
other normals he had not speech
to re-deliver. He spoke of his efforts
On behalf of the normal in
previous legislatures. 1t was not
necessary for him to come here to
place himself on record as in
favor of anything needed by the
educational institutions of the state.
We have great and wealthy
state and it should not be nigardly
towards it's institutions. Having mar
ried one of your graduates [ feel that
| did very good thing-at least for
myself. 1t has done me good to come
here, and to shake the hands of stu
dents who were my pupils ten years
ago in this county,"
Representative Dingman followed
and spoke we'll of the University.
But appropriations should commence
for the public and normal schools.
You are too modest in not asking for
what you are entitled to, which is
more than you get. 1t is not a gift,
but the appropriations are earned.
Do your part, get all you can from the
state. You will pay it all back in
way not to be ashamed of. All men,
bers of the appropriations committe
who have the interests of the state at
heart will vote faye on all these
questions.
Representative Nehman, member
Of the appropriations committee, said
that he would favor all appropriations
which are needed.
Mr. Ryder, of the Globe, made some
felicitous remarks.
Representative Gutterson stated
that he had enjoyed this occasion i'm
We were fortunate in get
ting so many to come to this city. A
smaller number went to the other
normal schools. He was sorry that