The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-13
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M. Nj. MURDOCH, Editor.
e EpucATIoNAL cENTER o. KANsAs.


Ignorance, when eavironed by enlightenment often
proves astonishing but when it is displayed by expo
nents Of culture it becomes astounding The average
newspaper writer of the capital state presumed
TO know something OF the more vital and essential in,
terests constituting the commonwealth 10 have some
knowledge Of the primary principal distinguishing
characteristics that adding significance to such states
policies and Institutions repute and transcen-
dency The State Journal its Saturdays issue speaks
of the possibility even probability Of Topeka becOm-
ing the educational center Of Kansas With the college
she already has and the devised in the contested
viii of Mrs Chrisman and andher not yet arranged for
Topeka would have three educational institutions not
counting the insane asylum. But where is Lawrence
with the State University and the National indian
School; Emporia, with her State Normal School and
Presbyterian College; and where the superiority endowed
Agricultural College at Manhattan TO nothing Of
other cities and CT the state with their
additional academies and supplemental seminaries.
More than one center Of any kind anything is an
absurdty an anomaly. Kansas has but state edu-
caonaI center and for the average citizen Of the CON-
1nonweah it is not even necessary mention the city
by name We very much doubt if the Topeka writer,
alluded TO- ever heard Of the Alberus Magnus Univer
entorains any estimate of the scope of its curriculum
any adequate ideas Of its modern and classical
courses Of its various schools the arts and sciences
the Abertus agnus with its corps Of tutors nstruc
tors professors and masters is but Of Wichitas
universities Talk about eduaction aside from the pub
lie school system 1t doubtful if The Topeka writer,
quoted any conception of the real meaning Of the
word.
Of course Wichta's schools headed by High school
of three hundred students goes without rention do
her FIVE parochia schools. But there is the Friends
University, with floor space than is covered by
any single roof Of any single educational building the
United States endowed by strong church organization
with an ever increasing number of students; Paramount
College endowed by the New England Congregational
Educational Association; Lewis Academy Presbyterian.
for years one of he most prosperous educational nst
tutions in the state; the Mt Carmel Academy, full to
oyerhowing and one Of the costlest and commodious
converts to be found in any city, and
Mount St Mary's formerly the Reformed University
now normal school for the graduation OF parochial
school teachers.
All of the foregoing are live and prosperous educa
tioual institutions to which may added Wichtas two
musical conservatories two commercial colleges one
training school for nurses ETC. and not dollar from the
state in of support of either have the State
Orphan School Topeka the Idiot School at Winfield
the Reform School at Hutchinson the State University
at Lawrence the State Normal at Emporia the State
Blind School City, the State Deaf and Dumb
School Olatbe the State Agricultural College at Man
haitian the Reform School Beloit and the Soldiers
Orphan School at Atcison All of these schools
doubt superior along their respective lines and each Of
these without additional educational ad
vantages But conceding all that they may separately
claim the fact remains that Wichita the educational
center of Kansas, has been and viii be.