The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-03-26

through him higher public sentiment
is created in favor of public education
II. What have we right to expect
from the public1
I. The support of all true edu-
Gators.
Since the Normal Schools have
done so much to foster education in
the Commonwealth, they are fully en-
titled to the support and confidence
of all who are interested in the welfare
of these schools. No man is an edu-
Gator in the real sense who is not
friendly to all institutions that affect
favorably the work of general educa-
ton. The most efficient agency in
promoting the welfare of the pubic
school, is most assuredly the Normal
Schools. They reach the vital factor
in the school room, the teacher.
"Whatever you put into the school,
you must first put into the teacher"
The Normal Schools have touched
this vital source of power, giving to it
greater efficiency and higher success.
In view of What these schools have
accomplished for the public they are
entitled to the lating gratitude of
every loyal educator in the Common
wealth.
q. The support of all school Off
GERS.
School officers should be quick to
see from whence their help comes in
building up The schools. They should
realize what they owe to Normal
schools for their work in supplying
schools 20 a certain extent with COM
petent teachers. The care of the
school officer has been lightened to a
great extent wherever he has succeed
ed in placing a trained teacher in the
school room.
8. The support Of all patriotic or
carnations.
The school house is the nations
fortress. The men and women who
are teaching in the State are doing
more for the Commonwealth than any
other agency in it. The Normal
Schools have done much to foster a
patriotic spirit among the children.
Those who have been trained in these
schools have been given an opportu-
nifty to understand the fundamental
law of the country, and the spirit of
patriotism has characterized their in
struction in the Normal Course. What
ever helps the schools, helps the State.
Patriotism and patriotic organizations
owe debt of gratitude to Normal
Schools for what they have done to
help the States and the Nations in
terestS.
4. The support OF the press.
The "Press" is one of the great fac
tors in promoting our higher civliza-
ton and must, therefore, be interested
in every movement having for its OBJ
ject the right education of the rising
generation. We have clearly shown
that the progress in our public schools
since they have felt the influence of
Normal training, has been much more
rapid than before. 1t follows, then,
that Normal Schools have a just claim
upon the support of the "Press." "
These Normal Schools, being State
institutions, have on this account a
clear right to the protection and help
of the "Press," the only condition
being that they must be properly
managed.
5. The support of the State in
furnishing buildings and equipments.
If the Normal Schools meet their
running expenses, pay the salaries of
teachers, and other expenses incident
to the daily running of the school, the
state should pay for the buildings,
furnishings, and equipments of the
schools. Since no dividends can be
declared on the stock subscribed by
private individuals, these same stock
holders whose liberality has made the
Normal Schools of the State a posi-
bility, should not be asked to contrib
ute additional sums from time to time
in order that the accommodations and
equipments Of the schools may meet
the new conditions resulting from their
rapid growth. Is it too much, then.
to ask of the State that from her
treasury there should come every year
sufficient sum to pay for all needed
improvements in the buildings and
equipments We think this is a very
moderate demand. In many of the
states all the expenses of the Norma
Schools are paid by the state, tuition
being free to the student. Our Nor
NAL School system is a very good one
and has in it greater possibilities thar
the system of any other state in the
Union, providing the State stand:
Loyalty by her own offspring, giving tc
these schools the financial aid they
have right to claim, and which they