Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-06-01
FINE RECORD OF AN OREGON EDUCATOR.


Daniel Webster amented over the sacrifices Of poor 1T
tie Dartmouth"
There IS something peculiarly pathetic in the tragedy of
an educational institution
The first of the three Oregon Normal Sch0oS-the one at
Weston-has been formally if not finally closed
By donations Of citizens the senior class was able to be
huredy graduated An obligation Of honor by the eglsla-
ture had been repudlated
But the closing act In the educational drama was carried
out decenty and In good ORDER and with all due formaIeS
The alumni met-Wth larger attendance than eVer-,had
their banquet there we're the Sermon class pay oratonS
songs ,vaedictoyr diplomas benedcton, fareWeIS,
There was tremuo effect in President FrenchS voice
as he spoke the last words to the class, telling them the
school stood for Kindness for doing good to Others for the
principle of the WcarouS life
Two gentlemen of modest abilities delivered addresses OF
appreciation from the outside world
Trunks packed tickets bought the faculty SCatterS
books and pictures put away an inventory is taken by
the state padockS put on and all placed In charge OF
Caretaker,
Thus ended the chronicle Of the one backward step in the
march Of 0regon'S Development
President Robert c. French enters into larger field OF
labor and uSefulneSS- that be possible,
For no man could have worked harder or done better
work than he has to his credit in sixteen years OF his con-
nection with Normal Schools.
The work at Weston IS torn down and destroyed when he
had attained the prime OF his powers when he had assem-
bed most efficient faculty. and the choicest student body
When the batvisiOned Legislature failed to provide for any
normal school work If, Oregon Mr. French was Immediately
sS6 6SS6a2 1T' ySSaS5 RSiSG id'S0a director at the hm
His salary is much larger and he given an important
work. for which he is highly fitted and naturally adapted
His Weston students will scatter to BeIngham Cheney
and Lewiston State Normal Schools,
President French has done great work for Eastern Ore
gon.
He spent his summer vacations In homes of the ranCherS
remote from the cenerS, pleading with them for education
for their children,
He secured the brightest boys and gS and prepared
them for lives OF usefulness.
With his gifted companion they brought to these young
people the genter influences and efnemenS OF life, along
with the training and discipline that makes for higher man.
hood and womanhood They learned to take bath OCca
SlonaIly.
Hundreds of young men and women thus built up and re-
nfoced for useful service sent out by the Trenches to
bless the country schools,
What is there to take the place Of this Normal School
Work7
Scores Of "elghth-graderS" in every counB-mnature
misses sent out from county examinations with ceicaton
as school teaCherS-ICenSed TO practice on children,
Their only recommendation is their inexperienced
What farce is In the name OF public educatlonl
There are women qualified by nature and who have the
professional preparation that fits them above all others to
educate children.
But no thinking person who has any conception Of the
problems OF education can imagine anything more absurd
than the system that arms thousands OF eghth-gaderS
with licenses TO teach
Mr. French closes noteworthy career as educator and
enters upon higher sphere OF duty In the rpeneSs OF his
manhood with the respect confidence and goodwill OF al
Oregon.
In the meantime the Eastern Oregon State Normal School
viii be closed for two years.
Buildings, equipments and grounds worth $4,000 TO
100000 with library Laboratories grounds are unused
an enormous loss to the state to morality 10 education
ton TO take the place Of three wt-Ocated small efficient
institutions.