The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-19
A FATAL MISTAKE.
sHoRTxIGHTED POLICY IN CLOSING
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
Veto Of Appropriations strictly In
Line With the Reform Move
menf. but 1t In Against the Expc-
rfence and Jud gment of the Gen.
eraI Government-Whafc Nor
mai Trustees Closing Up Their
Trust.


Special 10 the Post-IntsiAgencer-
WHATCOM March Is.-Ths nrst meet
ing OF ths normal school trustees since
the governors veto OF the legislative
approo-iatfon for the Equipment and
maintenance OF the school was held this
afternoon. and various business matters
attended 10 fl connection with the Work
CT closing up their trust, made necessary
by the action which me governor mas
seen 1T 10 take In response 10 request
for an expression Of his views Of the ac-
ton of the governor. Mai. Wilkiu. chair-
man of the board. talked freely ana
frankly. and In manner showing that
he regards the special training OF teacn-
ers as o. the highest Importance 20 the
welfare OF the pupils of the common
schools. He says:
II have no censure for Gov. Rogers be-
cause of his veto. He holds his office by
virtue Of the votes OF a large majority OF
the electors OF the state. He was elected
as a representative man, and one suit
able to bring about great reforms IN me
state. No doubt he feels he Is velcing the
wishes and carrying out the policy OF the
men whose votes placed MIN IN the gov
errors chair. Certainly he IS acting un-
der his official oath. He is the recognized
head OF q great reform party 10 carry out
its policy. While I am not in harmony
with his views OF public policy, the ma
JorIty rules IL republican form or gov
eminent, and he IS the mouthpiece of this
~
OF his supporters viii simply have 20 con-
sole ourselves as the lawyer defeated IN
court-rstire to our hotel and swear. The
governor. no doubt feels that he must
uphold a public policy as TO the normal
school question that will be in harmony
with the public sentiment OF his party,
and have a tendency to cement and unity
the elements OF his party for future vic
tories and other like reforms.
THE position he has taken Is contrary
70 the policy the government OF the
szs tn rsaa sd ara1 he
promoting on the question Of normal
schools and public education. Believing.
as do. In making the common schools as
highly effective as practicable. providing
for them accomplished teachers of the
highest standard and opening proper IA
cilities, at public expense. for the educa-
ton of all the children IN the state, re-
gardless Of the financial condition OF the
parents. i regret that the governor sees
his duty and party policy in the line
his action on the normal school question
indicates. The policy of the general gov
eminent in recent years has been to make
large donations Of public lands TO the
states that have been admitted 10 the
Union for the express purpose of estab-
fishing convenient and adequate normal
school advantages In such states. This
policy is simply keeping abreast OF the
educational advancement and require
ments or the times In which we live. The
national provisions for public education.
until quite recently, did not include nor
NAL schools as a requisite.
township OF surveyed public land have
been set apart by the United States for
the support of the common schools, but
experience long since demonstrated that
the old methods of instruction and the
average teacher In the common schools OF
years ago failed 10 give 10 the youth of
the land the benefits to which they were
entitled under the policy of the govern
ment. teacher must not only have the
knowledge OF the various branches to be
taught in the common schools. but must
know how best 10 impart such knowledge
TO the pupils of the various grades. and
must keep up with the modern require
ments and most approved methods in ed
ucational matters. or the children are be-
ing cheated out OF the benefits 10 which
they are clearly entitled. A skilled and
accomplished teacher is just as necessary
for good results with the pupils In build
ing character and laying the educational
skilled surgeon in imparting to his stu
dents a knowledge of his profession
There are 1900 pupils in Western
Washington as a clientage from whom 10
obtain normal school students for the
Whatcom school. These 740o0 pupils need
frst-class teachers for their instruction.
Must these teachers be imported, or shall
we educate home talent to fill their
places? II we want home talent IS II
right TO impose on every ambitious young
lady or young man struggling for an edu-
cation an extra tribute OF from s12 to s24
each year for railroad transportation
across the Cascade mountains rather
| than that the wealth of the whole state
| should contribute annually from $l0Oa0 to
| $1,000 10 maintain a normol school al
New Whatcom. where the nations benefi-
| cence has established. or Is ready to es-
| tabiish and equip, without cost 70 the tax
| payers. hrst-class building for such