Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-20
IOWA SCHOOL laws
Politicians Are Not in Favor Of
Passing Compulsory Educa.
tional Law.
Similar Laws in Other States Have
Made Trouble and Changed
States Politics.
Educational Forces United on the
Proposition to Establish More
Normal Schools.
Special to Times-Renublican


Des Moines. Dec. 20-The teachers
of Iowa will doubtless lay CON
siderable stress on their demand for
compulsory education legislation this
winter. But there is comparatively
little demand for a law of tina. charac-
ter and the more conservative school
men know II and say so. 1t will GER
tainly meet with vigorous opposition
from people who send their children to
parochial schools, for if tn. compul-
sorry education law is passed those
schools must be brought to the general
standard 1t has made serious trouble
been tried, particularly Illinois and
Wisconsin. 1t made those states demo-
cratic. Politicians will fight shy of il.
and With all that this legislature has
on its hands it viii not get Very far.
But the chief objection 10 the urging
of this measure now, from the educa
tional standpoint, is that all the edu-
cational forces should be united upon
one thing, which all agree is the most
important thing to be secured for the
advancement of popular education in
iowa. and that is thu esta blishment Of
at least one more state normal school
Nothing is so much needed now in the
educational work of Iowa as trained
teachers and the opportunity for teach
ers TO secure such training is extremely
limited. Nearly every teacher, Of
whatever grade or character III the
state agrees with the statement that
all hands should pm together this Win
Ter to get the state committed to the
support of at least one more normal
school. There is some difference Of
opinion as to how this should be done,
but the experience OF the past shoult
teach that it can only be accomplished
by getting the general proposition
adopted first, settling the location af-
terward Some areof the opinion that
the attempt should be made for two
schools. some for three and Others
would only try for one at this time. A
proposition to build three. or support
three. would appeal to more localities
and encourage more towns 10 hope to
secure one of tire schools, While if Only
/ one was to be provided the size ofthe
/
many. II seems reasonably likely that
something Will be done along this line.
4 The number Of candidates for the To-
cations will be Very numerous. More
than a score of towns in the state would
! be glad TO contribute buildings and
! land.
4 Very few candidates have appeared
for the minor Legislative positions. nf.
( George A. Newman has no opposition
for secretary of the senate. F. c. Me-
Cutchen, of Ida county. and S. b. Alex
ander. of Madison county. are candi-
dates for first assistant secretary. w
i T.. Haven, Of Chickasaw. and p. p.
Eminons, of Butler county. are candi-
dates for second assistant. G. G. Goi-
1 Inns has no opposition for 4 second
term as sergeant-at-arns. George w.
Z! McGibben. of Sioux City, and Capt
John Fl. Serene. of Allamakee, are can
didates for doorkeeper of the senate
Miss Holman, daughter of ths county
chairman of Buchanan county, and
Miss Olive Conger, Of WAYNE county
are candidates for enrolling clerk.
4
Chairman n. o. Weaver VINO Is
4 among the Gear-Bowen workers, i:
quietly figuring on a little plum FOR his
Il town in the event of the passage of 3
i bill creating one or more state norma
A schools 1t Will be good news 20 ths
( people of his town and to the educ
ational people of the state that his in
fiuence viii be thrown i'll favor OF ths
passage OF such a bill this winter. H.
thinks it Will be good politics as vel
as good business to recognize this urg
ent educational need. In the event o
the passage OF a bill he Will be in posi-
ton 10 have something 10 say abou
the location especially if more than on
school is established and the neglected
corners of the state are taken care of
The town of Wapello where he lives
will make a good showing when tn
time comes. and with its railway con
nections and other strong points. Mr.
Weaver thinks would have as good
show as amy.