St. Paul daily globe., 1895-02-11
NEEDS OF NORMALS
Mipnnesota's Four Training
Schools for Prospective
Teachers
ASK A HUNDRED THOUSAND.
Review of Present Conditions
at the Schools Already
Visited.
NORMAL HOME POINTERS.
st. Cloud ReneWs the Request
for Funds to Build a
New Wing.
NORMAL HOME POINTERS.


stitutions of their kind in the
United States are the normal
schools of Minnesota. They are
only four in number, but the work
they are doing is having an influence
on educational development in the
state that cannot be over-estimated.
Large sums of money have been
invested in these four institutions
of learning by the state, but it is
believed that for every dollar eX-
pended there has been a cOmmen-
surate return. In order that the
legislature, and the people of Min
nesota generally might be given
definite and detailed information as
to the work, present condition and
needs of these four schools. the
GLOBE instructed a member of it's
staff to accompany the legislative
committees on their visit of inquiry
and inspection. The results will
here be set forth as briefly as may be.
While these trips of the legislators
to state institutions are oftentimes
regarded as mere pleasure eXcur-
SionS, it should be remembered that
only by personal observation can the
true condition of any public institu-
ton be judged. 1t has often oc-
CURED, and there are similar in
stances this year, that members
have gone on these trips prejudiced
for or against some special appro-
priation. They have had their ideas
changed, their intentions reversed,
by seeing the exact condition of
affairs. So that the state is really
the gamer when important meas
ures, involving the expenditure of
money, are considered by men who
have thoroughly informed them
selves by observation and eXamina-
ton.
1t should be stated that a normal
home, or ladies' dormitory, is con-
sidered a very necessary adjunct of
these normal schools. There is
handsome and commodious home at
st. Cloud; and the Moorhead school
also has a home, recently erected,
that has been self-sustaining since
it was opened Winona citizens have
provided.a a large private residence as
a temporary home, where some fif-
teen lady students are accommodate
ed. The Mankato school has no
home. The GLOBE representative
was at some pains to ascertain
whether. or not these normal homes
are popular with the students A
few were found among the girls who
will not consent to live in them
others expressed themselves, in the
fashion of all youth, as restive under
restrictions necessarily imposed. But
the great majority of all who were
questioned gave their unqualified
approval. This is especially true of
educators and those interested in
the management of educational af-
fairs. They hold that parents, espe-
cially those in humble circumstances,
will feel that their daughters are
safer and more likely to make prog
ress when living at carefully man
aged home than they would be if
domiciled in the average boarding
house. The patronage bestowed ON
the homes by students shows, at
least, that they serve very good
purpose. Students can be boarded
at less cost than anywhere else
that they could secure equal accom-
modationS; and as the matter of cost
is decidedly important item to a
large percentage of normal students.
this feature is the strongest aro,I-
ment for providing ladies' dormi-
tory in connection with each normal
school Male students can take their
meals at the home if they so desire
for S2.25 per week. The cost for
room and board is So per week at
st. Cloud and Moorhead In addi-
ton, the boarders assist in the light
er housework duties, such as wait
ing on table.