Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-12
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Waterbury Pledges Site for Building and Cooperation in Practice Schools.


 Hartford, March 12.-Ye esteNday af- ternoon was set apart by the committee on education to hear the citizens of Waterbury on the bill providing that 8 state normal school shall be built in that city at an expense not to exceed $l75,OOO and that an appropriation be granted for that amount. There was fair number of Waterbury citizens present, but not so many as there would have been but for the funeral of the murdered policeman in that city. The hearing was a lively one, chiefly because the Danbury men who had oc- cupied an entire day, Tuesday, in pre- senting the case for their town in the interest of a normal school, apparent ly intended to take up as much of the time of the Waterbury people as possf- ble. Judge Walsh of Danbury insist ed on such extended cross-examina- 1 tions of the Waterbury men that Sen- ator Tracy of the committee objected and the committee made a ruling that he must take notes and ask his ques- tions after the Waterbury men were 1 through talking This had only a temporary effect upon Judge Walsh as a cross s-examiner. The Waterbury men, however, put in their case and it was the opinion of many that Judge Walsh rather helped them, at that. 1 B. W. Tinker, superintendent of schools of Waterbury, opened the hear ing, calling attention to the extreme western location. In reply to some 1 statements made in the hearing in be- half of Danbury as location for the proposed school, he said that the num- Der of scholars from each town who remain in those towns had nothing to do with the case. Where they teach after graduation is a matter of wages. He claimed that Bridgeport had no ap- parent interest in a normal school, as shown by its neglect of opportunity to secure one ten yers ago.
 In reply to a member of the commit tee MT Tinker said that the country towns would be aided only by first aid l ing the cities.
 Representative Lockwood of Wood l bury favored Waterbury as location 1 TOT tne school, the natural market of h1s town being that city. Everything points, so far as Woodbury is con cerned, towards Waterbury as the best location. The largest number of per- 1 sons benefited would be by the Water bury location.
 In reply to Senator Tracy of the committee MT Tinker said there was a dearth of trained r&eachers.
 pr Charles $. Rodman of Waterbury called attention to the action of The legislature ten years ago in offering a normal school to Bridgeport. Four years ago Waterbury made an effort 10 secure normal school, and was sue cessful in the committee, but not in the legislature. Waterbury had today more girls in the state normal schools than 1t had in it's own training school In no other city was there so dense a population in need of high standard of education.
 In reply to Judge Walsh of Danburv pr Rodman said that there was no doubt that there was need of a new normal school. He thought a normal school in Waterbury would be an ad- vantage to a large populate There had been no advantages in Waterbury Of normal school, except that if was within thirty miles of such school.
 Senator Tracy suggested that if any questions were to be asked they shor1d be asked by members of the commit tee. This was a broad hint to Judpe Walsh, who had been questioning the i Waterbury advocates. The senator said that an entire day had been given to @Danbury, and Waterbury had only two hours and half granted to it.
 Judge Walsh maintained that he had a right to ask questions as it was . matter of the state and not alone of Waterbury. Tn his twenty years, ex- perience before legislative committees he had always cross-examined wftnes- ses whenever 1t was necessary. There could be no other way by which a. com mtttee could be made aware of all the facts.
 The committee, after consultation. granted Judge Walsh the privilege of taking notes and asking questions af- ter Tne Waterbury people had been neard. The judge then left the room temporarily.
 Oharles s. Chapman of the Water. bury board of education gave many statistics in regard to the growth of the city of Waterbury and neighborina towns, the Naugatuck valley hayine grown in population very rapidly. The element of foreign population is verv large and these children need the great est care in education, as thoughtful men all agree. Waterbury offers a good equipment and all possible ad. vantages to aid in the conduct of a normal school.
 Charles Y. Kent, a member of the school board of Waterbury, said the city was situated in more bopulous district than Danbury. THere was nc reason why there should not be two normal schools in New Haven county If population needed them.
 ] Judge Walsh, having returned, oues tioned MT Kent as to convenience ot access, and MT Kent replied that The New Haven normal school would be relieved of its crowded condition by a Waterbury normal school.
 MT Tinker. said the existing norma, schools must be relieved by a schoo near to the center of population affect
 ed. He believed that the tide would go westward, but should stop at Wa rHHrr NIo<~ Aoxx "a A1.