Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-29
port from the people. OF growth unpre-
cedentad among New Mexican institu-

port from the people. OF growth UMPIRE
cedented among New Mexican institu-
lions. In the territory the young In.
stitution led from the beginning. Its
faculty Increased to fourteen men,
bers. The men and women called
have brought the aims and methods
and work Of the greatest normal
schools. colleges and universities OF
the land and spent their meager sala-
ries in going away at frequent inter
walls to get new ideas from the great
est teachers to be found, whether In
America or Europe. High authori-
ties had pronounced the Las Vegas
Normal school one of the best in the
United States. The confidence OF its
patrons In Its board and faculty was
u%nbonnded. The loyalty and good
feeling OF It's students was especially
evident. Then In the midst Of its
most prosperous year, at the very
height of It's usefulness, came a break
which, to say the least, was most
startling. Mr.. Hewett would retire
from The presidency. Mr.. Springer
had resigned from the Board, and the
entire faculty had announced that II
certain conditions had TO be imposed
upon them, they must resign their po-
sitiUns. The cause of this unfortunate
condition was q change In the person
mel OF the board. The new appointee
vas we'll known to be hostile to the
policy which had made the school
what It ID, and he commanded suff-
cient influence with two other mem
bers to dominate the board. The stu
dents asserted their rights as coming
citizens to be heard and unanimously
demanded the retention OF the old pol
icy. People with children TO educate
expressed their deep concern and pc
titioned board and governor. The
members Of the faculty firmly and re-
spectfully stated their positions to
the governor and were ignored al
the only point where II was possible
to adjust the difficulties. They then
laid the entire matter before the pub
lie IN a printed announcement and
proceeded with their work to the
close of the school year. The gov
ernor, whose unfortunate selection
either accidentally or resignedly
caused the breaking up OF the exist
ing administration confirm the stu
alton by re appointing the man of his
choice for a term Of five years, In
which he gained some support, al
though il cannot be challenged that
the support came from political sup
porters mainly, and those who are not
and never have been patrons Of the
normal school.
The mastery address of Mr.. Spring
or last night, the incisive statemeni
made by the retiring president, tn
resignation of tho faculty appearinI
IN t0day's Optic and general regre
expressed at the subsequent reception
by almost every one in the large aud
ence that oyerfloWed the normal az
sembiy o last night over the re
tirement of the faculty, all this bring
the w%cll-5eing of our school to th
front again as q matter Of paramount
interest 10 every n having childre.
to educate. The Optic has from tn
beginning stood for the integrity of IN
school and II believes this matter an
every question of such importanc
should be given the widest notice an
consideration.
The course which rs being followe
by the powers that be in the ASYLUM
difficulties stand out in strong col
trast TO that accorded the interest
of this educational institution. Bot
are public institutions under the COZ
troll of boards appointed by the GO
crnor and under the immediate dire
ton of a man chosen by that boar,
Both were subjected to attacks direc