Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-02-19
THURSDAY evening. FED. 70. 1909
III NORMAL A

The NOhMRI
The resolution introduced in the
council ut Santa Re yesterday by
Councilman Duncan and procured by
him fo he adopted, is 50 important
that we here publish II in our editorial
column. with some comments:
Be il resolved by the council of the
35fh legislative assembly of the Terri
tory Of New Mexico:
THAT whereas a statement by the
faculty OF The New Mexico Normal
University. February, 1903 has been
printed ana placed pom the desk OF
the members uf the council. containing
an attack up0n the board Of regents OF
the Normal University.
And whereas. such an attempt as
III made upon pages 2 and 3 OF said
document can only he an example to
The students Of said institution calcu-
lated 10 incite them TO i~nsubordina-
lion. and ~suhvcrsion of all discipline
and whereasZia he opinion OF this
body. said publication is sufficient ey-
idcnce hat the welfare of the school
system and this institution in partic-
uiar would best be served by the Sc
curing and accepting Of the rcsigna-
ton of the faculty signing said docu-
ment.
lAtIEtDtE- i4tE 4SttttAt4t Va tp0 sly
ernor OF the Territory Of New Mexico
ii respectfully called to the aforesaid
document. and we respectfully recon-
mend the appointment and retention
in office of register for suchinstitution
who will see that the members of said
faculty signing said petition be al
lowed and requested respectfully to
sever their connection with the Nor
NAL University Immediately"
We have 40 desire TO criticise or I'm,
duly find fault with Mr.. Duncan, OF
10 say or do anything which IS likely
TO add 10 the friction already existing
in relation TO Normal school affairs.
On the contrary we would do every
thing reasonably possible to aid in
finding a harmonious solution just and
fair 10 an concerned.
This situation Is not like a political
scrap winch lasts for q day and Is
then n
Ttisa serious matter which involves
MOI onls the prosperity and well being
of the Normal but also the welfare
of the large number Of pupils who at
tend the institution. The controversy
should be treated with a liberal spirit,
on broad grounds. having in view the
good of the institution. the best in
forests of New Mexico. and the wei
fare of the young men and girls who
are attending the Normal.
1t is toe large an interest to be
settled spitefnily. or in q spirit of re
taliaticB. haste. petulence or anger.
In this view Councilman Duncan's
action IS premature n hasty to say
the least. The resolution instead or
allaying feeling. and healing dissen
sions Viii a~sgravate them.
~ - 81 10, l.44S.f 4fa+ Tho raxar,Ar
The board and the faculty will not act
in tfe same haste and spirit. but on
broader and better lines.
The situation is 4 serious one. and
white II may be within the power Of
The council ard governor at a single
blow tG strike on the heads of the
several members or the faculty by
calling fca immediate resignation. and
20 thereby close The school. il does not
seem possible that reasonable. broad
mind Z men caa tase such action.
We 40 nct believe a case like this
can be found. whore the president of
a board. a braad-minded. liberal and
disintevcsted citizen. able among the
best has FELT called upon to resign his
place. and where an exceptionally
strong faeuity as d~isinterested as is
consistent with human nature. has
~ tAAhtt#A g4f&AA Ne AfANtttAF tOL&0C
aeAiust 4 line OF action deemed by
them to he detrimental To public inter
eSts.
Mr.. Dnncans resolution denies to
the faculty the right of criticism. 1t
denies Il right OF petition. More err
rOneous. ii denies the right of a high
minded. conscientious FACULTY. to lay
before the legislature. for it's consider
alton. a temperate. we'll considered,
respectful statement of conditions
which they deem hurtful TO an i'm
portaDt educational enterprise. with
the view ~ having such legislature In
Guire into conditions and apply any
neediul corrective.
This resolution says to the manage
ment of every charitable and educa-
tiunal institution IN the Territory keep
your statement to yourselves, close
yoUr mouths. even though you may
have facts In your possession which
the legislature should know in ths
wise administration of a public trust
II is most surprising tina a delis-
erative I0dy should act with such ev-
ident passion and haste. If this fac
ulty is in possession of facts important
to the wei being Of the Normal what
objection can there be 20 their making
il known in a respectful statement?
1t is only Just TO assume the faculty
is honest in IT'S purposes. If so. why
should its members be required 10 re-
>main silent under grievances that
shonld be known
Here is a faculty coming from the
highest institutions of the country, Sc
lectea with care for their honor, and
special qualifications. who command
universal confidence and respect
Is ii an offense against propriety.
thai such 2 body should make known
its belief as TO needful action for the
institution committed TO its care?
Is such a faculty and such a presi-
dent 10 be abruptly slapped in the
face. fer daring to make respectful
suggestion as 1 educational manage
ment?
More careful consideration. a little
less precipitation, would have been
The wiser course in the council.
Las Vegas has q special interest in
this unfortunate matter and must, II
having the welfare Of this locality at
heart feel that in a solution of this
question Il VIII be well to make haste
slowly. Is II not tho wiser course, IL
the members OF the board Of regents
deem 1t advisable to hold on TO their
places TO get together with the facul-
~. seek out the real points At ianue