The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-13
WILL TREAT BOTH ALIKE
Alva Normal School Have an Equal Show
With Edmond.

With Edmond.
! Guthrie, 0. T., April 12-(Special)-
| President Edmund d. Murdaugh Of the
normal school at Edmund has reconciled
| himself TO the establishment of a branch
normal at Alva by the late legislature.
| The passage of the measure was actively
| opposed by several powerful interests,
! including the governor, the board Of re-
gents and the strong lobby from the
town of Edmund, VINO contended that an
| appropriation for a branch school would
seriously cripple the Edmund institu-
ton. With only its merit TO commend
itself the Alva school bill had but few
supporters. except the representatives
from the short grass county, until Sena-
tor Dave Marum succeeded in securing
the support of the Combine" through
which influence the bill was pushed
through the council, while George Wick
ers, the Alva representative, made a sue
cessful fight in the lower house.
President Murdaugh. while frankly adj
hitting his opposition to the movement
for branch normal, accepts the result
fully, and declares his purpose of giving
Alva all proper service as far as lies in
his power. He realizes that no one man
can serve both schools acceptably for
any great length Of time; hut, for the
next year or two, he hopes to aid Alva in
building up her school, while in no wise
neglecting the interests of the territory
as represented al Edmund. He does not
think there will be any feeling of enmity
between the two institutions. Both are
engaged in the same work, and expedi- |
ency, as well as justice 10 the territory, |
demands that they work together nar- |
moniously. President Murdaugh be- |
lieves that, with proper care and man
agement, the northwestern branch. in I
due time, will take high rank and do
good service 10 the general cause OF
education in the territory.
One of the special Disadvantages to the
Edmund school he mentioned is that.
having lost a portion of its revenue, il
must wait for certain additions to It's
equipment and working force, which it
sadly needs at present. Time, however.
Will remedy that and the two schools
working together will become the center
IF educational thought and interest in
Oklahoma. In fact, he looks forward 10
he day, and that not far distant, when
ne normal school for Oklahoma, with
IS two branches, will lead the education
i thought of the territory. The fact
hat one board will control both insti-
u,ions, in the presidents estimation, is
n element of power, a tremendous lever, {
nd an excellent feature. Regents are
10. men 10 feel petty jealousies and {
either school need fear discrimination. !
Speaking of the parent school at Ed
nund. President Murdaugh says it is
ow thoroughly organized with strong I
orps of teachers, students increasing in =
umbers every day and well-earned {
equation for good, hard and thorough
York which cannot be surpassed. The g
eople Of the whole territory are inter-
sted in its progress and will tolerate /
othing that is not of the best. t
According to President Murdaugh the S
,cent growth of the school has been e
henomenal, the actual attendance at
resent being fifty per cent more than al
lis time last year. Should the territory
ave good crops this year, the attend n
ace will double the building must re- I
i've additions and the teaching force be +
creased. The regents are already at c
DIRK mapping out plans for strengthen v
g the school al Edmund and buildings d
. the branch al Alva. b
President Murdaugh insists that nor &
al schools, beyond others, appeal di- il
city TO the heart of the people be- Y
Iusa every parent feels a personal in .
rest in the teachers of his children. \
ney have, too, a special formation a
lie preparation of teachers for the ele- Il
entary schools. The stronger the
,ung teachers sent out by them, the s.
eater the growth of educational sent d
ent. and indirectly this works for A
CHER education. Y
Wisely managed, the president be- O,
ives that the recent action OF the legis- d.
ture can be made productive OF good; NJ
1t two things are necessary: Perfect "
Irmony and rapid, thorough develop C
ent Of the work now moving forward ~
well at Edmund. C.
His views are heartily approved by K,
nator Marum, the especial champion T
Alva bill in the legislature and now in
e of the regents Coming from the n
ate Of New York he IS familiar with nj
e work OF normal schools, -and further, de