The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-04
SCHOOL Days NEAR
President Murdaugh Forecasts
the Years Work
IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Of OkIahoma--His Theory OF
Continuous Schools"
IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

Guthrie. o. T, Sept. 3.-cSpeciall-"Fes-
,dent Afurdaugh. Of the Normal schoool
for Oklahoma at Edmond. expresses MIN
self very enthusiastically concerning the
,,rosnActs of the school and condition of
educational interests generally in the Ter
Ttory.
Since hisreturn from the National Edu-
rational association and the East general
~ where he spent the month Of July the
rreater portion Of his time has been devot-
81 10 travelling over the territory IL me
Interest of the normal school, delivering
lectures and addresses before institutes
md graduating classes. In nearly every
Instance he found the institutes largely al
,anded and the work energeticaIIy ana en-
tnrsiasticallv done The action OF the
territorial board in examining instructors
and conductors previous to the issuance
nj licenses. weeded out all save the st 'on6-
lst teachers and the wisdom Oh the'r DC
,ion IS shown in the excellent orgdn'Zd-
lion and high pedagogic tone Of -hs sHIH-
ner normals. Everywhere, the idea seems
10 be growing that the instlHi'e IS the
Mace for pedagogic rather than academic
work. OF course, much may be dole IN
the institute along the latter line, bJt
teachers seem 10 be realizing that Ike
academic work should be done elsew he-e,
md that the institute in the place Tor
conference and consultation under Ecod
leadership rather than a place for cram
ming. Again, there seems to he d strong
desire on the part of the people generally
TO extend the terms of the schools and 10
organize along such lines as to enable
the students from the rural schools TO en-
ter the territorial institutions without diff
dculty. The courses Of study for Edmond
and Alva, he says, are especially prepared
preparatory departments, with the graded
so that they may articulate, through their
course for public schools.
The terms of these two institutions are
known as fail, winter and spring, and are
admirably adapted to the convenience OF
district school teachers, who may thus
have an opportunity Of entering at Alva
md Edmond, three times a year.
President Murdaughhs an ardent clever
In normal school work, and claims that
normal schools, besides giving a well
rounded and practical themselves, are
most excellent feeders TO the higher
courses philosophical, classical, etc., OF
Uur universities. This fact alone is
strong bond of union between the normals
Ind THE university.
When asked about the attendance of the
normal, President Murdaugh said that at
lhe coming session thenumber of students
at Edmond would be limited solely by the
ability of the town to take care of them,
and he was glad TO say that the same was
true at the university at Norman. Pres
Ident Boyd had told him some two weeks
hgo that the accommodations at Norman
were already exhausted. At Edmond, there
were still openings for a few students.
Speaking of the attendance at the nor
NAL last year, he said that the gain over
the previous year was 46 per cent, and
that, while the local attendance was main
tained, the increase in number of students
from other counties than Oklahoma over
the previous session was more than 200
per cent. There were students from every
county of Oklahoma except in the extreme
Alva will soon offer advantages at least
equal TO those Of Edmond.
He believes that the Edmond school is
admirably situated because of its central
location, splendid water, and many other
natural advantages and that Edmond is
destined to be the school town of the ter
titory. One thing is especially favorable
10 Edmond; the fact that Edmond is prob
ably the most healthful point in the whole
territory. In other respects the school is
fully equipped for work-having fine lab
Oratories. a most excellent library, the
largest assembly hall in the territory. and
good class rooms. Within the past year,
the Board of education has judicially ex-
pended between SIX and eight thousand
nollars in the equipment and interior fit-
tings of the school Especially to be no.
Iiced is the opening Of the department of
elocution and oratory under the charge Of
Miss Tnez Green. who comes most highly
recommended by thehead professor of the
department of public speaking in the uni
Hersity of Chicago. where she has been
studying for some time past. Prof Bax-
Ter. recent addition to the corps in the
department of history and literature, is
widely known throughout the territory as
an able teacher and most agreeable gen
teman. The school now has fun corps
Of teachersfi is thoroughly organized and
FULLY equipped, and better prepared than
ever 10 live mp to its motto: In 'FRONT.'
In passing, President Murdaugh called
the attention If the reporter TO the fact
ihat an exclamation point and not a per
lod stood after Tha motto. which he him
self seleced Immediately after his election
70 the presidency. The motto then he
comes an exhortation. not a claim. and
Is Indicative, also of the spirit Of progress
that animates the normal
President Murdaugh. judging from the
great interest that the people OF Oklahoma
manifest in education, believes that the
peNt legislature viii make wise and ample
provision for the maintenance of our ter
ttorial institutions. and looks forward 10
The future as one OF promise and hope
one Of The most commemorate features
IN recent educational work in Oklahoma
President Murdaugh thinks. is Tie summer
semester now in progress at the university.
j. not only received his sympathy and en-
enlargement. hut numerous students were
sent 10 Norman through his influence.
some going from the normal who Will re-
turn 10 Edmond for the fall term.
He believes that continuous schools will
soon be recognized as an absolutely me-
essary economic measure. The continuous
schools win soon solve the problem 81 pre-
parlng the young for Network al an age
much earlier than nov. one great reason
Why so few persons take the higher courses
"f learning is that they haven't the time
20 spare-in fact. life IS too short. The