Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-29
FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 1903
4 NORMAL UNIVERSITY.


The exercises Of this week have
again brought prominently before the
minds Of the people OF Las Vegas the
splendid educational institution which
New Mexico and especially Las Vegas
has fostercd with such hearty moral
and financial support.
The events of the past few months
have directed the public eye upon this
institution to a greater extent than
at any time during the five years since
its acknowledgements marked by
a broadening and enlarging career 50
gradual and steady as to escape the
notice Of the casual observer, but as
certain as the irresistible growth OF
the youth thro' the five years which
estate OF manhood. Today the people
in the light Of recent events and last
nights climax to those events. cannot
doubt that the normal university has
reached a critical climax In its history
Every thoughtful citizen Is looking with
grave anxiety for the development OF
its future policy. II cannot be ont of
place hero to refer to the men who
laid the foundation for this institution
down tho years which preceded the
opcnlngof its doors. The public should
o forget the devoted services Of Ed
ward Henry. Chas. Iiuduiph. Tranquil
limo Labadlc, w. $. Burke, Frank
Springer, Willard Browne and Chas.
Ilfeld in planning for the location and
construction Of the building and the
work of J ID. Vceder In the legislature
at the time the bin creating the insti-
tuition was introduced. They
shuilded better than they knew, and
their far.secing wisdom Is now more
and more apparent. In the fall of
1897 the board Of regents consisted
OF the five above named gentlemen
Believing that the time was approach.
ing Tor the school TO begin Its active
work. they sought for u maj 70 whom
they might entrust that part OF is
work upon which It's future would de
pend. that Is, the making up of il.
faculty, laying out a course Of stud,
and fixing its educational standards
The Colorado State Normal schoo
was even then well established undoi
a policy that had made II first anon,
normal schools of the United States
A gentleman who had had q promi
nent part In the work OF that schoo
was elected to the presidency an,
directed TO begin planning for tn
opening Of the Normal school of New
Mexico.
With the coming of President Hew
EFT and the corps of able teachers al
pointed on his recommendation, It'll
opening Of the school in the fall d
1898. in spite of all discouragements,
the generous subscription Of owe
$l9 600 by the people OF Las Vega
for the completion OF the building, tn
increased support accorded by tn
Legislative assembly in the spring ,
1899. the enthusiastic dedication (
the building on March 4. 1899. and IN
memorable closing of the first year
work N the following June. il was fe
that the critical point In the histor
of the school was passed. The facult
at that time consisted of MIR. Hewet
Miss Porter tMrs, Cockerel). Mis-
Rice, Mr.. Powell, Mr.. McNary an
Mr.. Edwards. The difficulties whic
they had to meet that year win pro.
ably never be known except 70 Their
selves. In the midst OF the turmoil
building going on about them, ma
ing IL almost impossible TO hear elias
es. and In the face OF the natur,
doubt Of the people relative 10 n
new subjects and new methods intr
duced by 80 young a faculty. they VIC
the respect Of students and patror
TO a remarkable degree and were
see in less than FIVE years the educ
tional ideals which they brought hel
permeating the whole educational sly
TEN OF New Mexico.
The history of the mex three and
half years was one Of steady dcvelo
ment, Of constantly increasing 81