The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-02-22
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The BilI for state NormaIs.

The Btll Tor state Nofnois
House Bill Nc. 1l2 introduced by
r. W. Miller, is entitled, "An Act to
Establish a System Of State Normal
Schools in Kentucky"
II purposes to divide the State in
10 three Normal School districts, viz:
District No l, comprising the West
ern third Of the State, District No 2,
comprising the central third OF the
State, and District No. 3, the Eastern
third.
The counties belonging in each
district are named in the Bill.
A State Normal School is TO be es
tablished and maintained in each
district for the avowed purpose OF
giving TO the teachers such training
in the common school branches, in
the science and art Of teaching, and
such other branches as will enable
them 10 make the common schools
throughout the State efficient.
The Bill provides that a Board Of
Regents shall be created for each
Normal School District, composed OF
five members -Four Of these Regents
in each Board are TO be appointed by
the Governor, by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate, the State
Superintendent making the fifth
member, and being ex-oflicio chair
man OF each Board.
III this Bill becomes a law, il will
be the duty OF the several Boards,
when appointed, to meet within sixty
days after their appointment, elect
their officers and prepare TO secure
sites for their respective schools
The Bill carries with il an appro.
priation Of $4,000 TO be divided
equally among the Boards Of Regents
Of these Normal Schools for the pur-
pose Of erecting and equipping suit
able buildings, improving grounds,
etc, and the sum Of $40, 900 annual
ly, to be distributed equally among
the three Boards OF Regents for the
purpose Of defraying the salaries Of
teachers and other current expenses
Each county in the State shall be
entitled annually to the appoint
ment Of six pupils for gratuitous in
slruction in the Normal School Of the
district to which such county belongs.
These six pupils are 10 be chosen by
competitive examination, those hay-
ing the highest qualifications being
accepted.
The above are the principal pro-
visions Of the Bill While il is by no
means perfect, il is greatly 10 be
hoped IL will be enacted into law.
Much will depend upon the wis
dom and honesty Of the Boards OF
Regents, especially in the matter OF
tuition and expenses. The State
could we'll afford free tuition 10 all
bona iide teachers Of public district
schools and ought TO provide it. As
II is, the six who have the highest
qualifications and consequently need
the instruction the least will be the
only ones 30 receive free tuition.
Others may pay their own way or go
without the education. Moreover,
these favored few will go out and
give superior instruction 10 the pu-
pills in the'districts fortunate enough
TO secure their services, while thous-
ands Of other children, just as good
and as intelligent, must be- taught by
unframed teachers.
II the Bill would be amended TO
reach all il would probably be de-
ieated, 80 LET us hope il may be passed
in the best form possible.
j. w. DINsMoRE.