Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-09-13
The Deposit of Funds, When Made
With a Condition Attached,
Is Not Received.
The Board Will Hold Another Meet
ing at Valley City Next
Week for Final Action.
State Normal school Board.

LII Guo udbGoi VI utplOudS VI graduates
of the Valley City Normal School, the
committee appointed to complete and
perfect diplomas on submission Of ex-
animation papers to the committee, re-
ported IN detail, showing that examina-
ton papers covering about one. half of
the branches required in the several
courses of study had been submitted to
the committee, and asked for further
instructions. After discussing the re-
port, the board reached an agreement
that the graduates having faithfully
completed all work required of them by
their instructors, they should not be
held responsible for deficiencies, and
voted to issue the diplomas, Messrs.
Wright and f. P. Allen, of the Valley
City trustees, pledging the board that
diligent effort would be made to secure
all further obtainable records of stu
dents standing, not shown by examina-
ton papers, for filing with the depart
ment of public instruction.
A permanent examining committee
was appointed, to consist of the state
superintendent and president of the
state university, together with the prin-
cipals of the normal schools. In behalf
of the Valley City board, Mr.. F. P.
Wright read a report, recommending a
faculty for the ensuing year, the salary
list having been cut from $1,000, as con-
tanned in their former report, submitted
at the meeting held August 10Th, to an
aggregate of S. ,400, the proposed salary
for Mr.. Mcfarland being reduced from
$1,000 to $500, with similar cuts in sal
aries of other teachers. Mr.. Wright also
presented a draft for the full amount of
the salary list to be deposited with the
state treasurer. On the understanding
money represented in the draft had been
contributed for the pay of teachers with
cut condition or qualification, a resolu-
ton was UNANIMOUSLY adopted that the
draft be deposited with the state treas
urer. From further discussion, the fact
was developed that the committee hav.
ing the subscriptions in charge had
previously adopted a resolution to the
effect that the subscriptions were to be
paid only upon the condition that the
board of directors should confirm the
appointment Of Mr.. Mcfarland as prin-
cipal OF the Normal school. The board
then..adopted a resolution, striking from
the record the motion to deposit the
draft with the state treasurer, and the
draft was returned to Mr.. Wright. The
report OF the Valley City trustees, recon-
mending a faculty, was received but not
adopted, and the board adjourned, to
meet at Valley City, September 30.
When the board meets at, Valley City,
there will probably be a rather animated
session, and while it cannot be said
whether or not the faculty will be ap-
proved, there will doubtless be a con-
siderable opposition to the retention of
Professor Mcfarland as president Of the
institution. The relations of Mr.. Nc
Farland with the department of public
instruction have not been harmonious,
and the absence of this quality was evil
dent at the meeting yesterday. The re-
fusal of the state board to accept the
funds offered was but a natural refusal
to entertain a proposition which savored
of dictation by the committee appointed
to deposit the funds, as to who should or
should not be employed at the school.
It appears that the committee, one Of
which was Senator White, held a meet
ing. before leaving Valley City, and re-
solvedt TO make the deposit of the money
conditional upon the approval of the
faculty. Of course, when this fact be-
came known, the board refused to accept
the deposit, and the school remains as
far from open as ever
The discussion of the matter become
quite warm yesterday afternoon, and
MI. Mcfarland, who by the way, was not
present at the afternoon session, was the
principal subject under discussion. State
Superintendent Bates took a decided
stand against his retention. She spoke
of the matter from an educational stand
point, and cited instances which she held
to prove him either inefficient as a
teacher, or a deliberate falsifer, and she
appeared to lean to the latter belief.
She stated also, that upon the occasion
Of her first visit to the schools last
spring, in an official capacity, she was
treated in a way which at least bespoke
lack of the courtesy due the state super
intendent. The discussion Of the matter
lasted until quite late, and the matter
will be settled on Friday next, when the
board meets again.
Codes Are All Right.
Grand Forks Plaindealer: A few peo-
pie who love sensations are ~endeavoring