Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-05-23
THAT NORMAL SCHOOL ORDER.

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The friends Of the normal schools
in West Virginia are not relaxing
their opposition to the order Of the
Board of Regents taking from four OF
the schools the fourth year of the
course and requiring students to take
that years studies at either Hunting
ton or Fairmont. 1t is the consensus OF
opinion that to carry this order into
effect would mean the ultimate de.
struction of the four normal schools
so degraded and there is general OBJ.
lection to this result.
In recent interview Hon. Wait
man Barbe, the we'll known educator
and field agent for the West Virginia
University. expressed the opinion that
the Board Of Regents would modify
the order, saying:
az think it is probable that the work
at West Liberty, Shepherdstown, Glen
vile and Athens will be permitted to
continue pretty much as 1t has been
going, but that Fairmont and Hunting
ton will be developed into more i'm
portant institutions than they have
heretofore BEEN | have no official in
E h.,N mi
altogether probable"
We sincerely hope that Mr.. Barbe
may be tight and that the regents
may rescind the order referred to.
No one will object to them giving adj
ditional advantages to Huntington
and Fairmont, provided that it does
no injustice to the other schools. We
believe that the State will be willing
to improve all Of these schools if the
regents will present comprehensive
plan for their betterment, and we ask
that no detrimental action be taken
until the Legislature has passed upon
the question.
In response to request for an ex-
preston of his views upon this very
important matter, Hon. Geo. M. Beltz,
hoover, who has been actively con-
nected with Shepherd College in an
official business capacity for many
years, spoke as follows:
In my view the general effect must
be preiudicial to all the normal schools.
Crediting the board with friendly
purpose, there is no escaping the con-
clusion that the action must have been
ia ken rather precipitately and without
mature consideration.
There has long been an element in
the State unfrien6iy to the system, and
ready to abolish the schools, and this
movement must certainly play into
their hands.
Much has already been said and pub.
lished about the apparent discrlmina-
tion between the schools-in seeking to
build up the two favored ones at the
expense and corresponding deprecla-
cion of the other four-which quite
naturally provokes spirit of retaliation
and discomfort.
Again, it has not been long since
meeting o. the principals was held to
formulate an amended and improved
course for the schools which was intro
duced at considerable expense and is
now just getting fairly under way.
Hence, to inject such movement at
this time, and when, at least, Shep-
herd College, and believe the other
schools, are in more prosperous con-
dition than usual, | regard specially in
opportune.
Again, Ican't see how the avowed
purpose of making the normal diploma
represent more and giving it better
credit and standing is to be affected.
1t is not proposed to lengthen the course
and take more time for the work; but
only to have the senior year taken at
one of the select schools. How they
can accomplish more in the same time
than the other schools, and with
change of environment on part OF the
pupil, don't comprehend. The pres
emit course, under existing conditions,
is subject to criticism for being already
too full for it's proper completion in the
time given.
Again, even if it were advisable to so
plan the system of normal schools as
proposed, from an inspection of the out
line given of the course and departments
to be organized, surely better location
for the general interests OF the State
can be found for school OF such scope
than so close under the shadow OF the
university.
From the standpoint Of the common
good, in my Judgment, mistake has
Been made, and while doubtful II pos
sible now to wholly escape the conse-
quences, the sooner it is corrected, by
undoing the wrong done, the less serious
the consequences will be.