East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-02-27
lsneclal Corresnondence.l !

Weston. Ore. Feb. 27.-The Wes-
,ton normal school will be kept going
until June. This much was settled
at mass meeting held here last eve
ming in which arrangements were
made for financing the school with
local money In case the legislature,
at It's special session. fails to provide
for the schools until the close of the
year.
The meeting last night was held in
the normal school chapel and the
room was packet with local people.
In the neighborhood of 500 we're
present and among these were stu
dents and members OF the faculty OF
the normal school.
The meeting was presided over by
s. A. Barnes and Paul Bullflnch act
ed as secretary. During the evening
a total Of $1625 was pledged towards
the support OF the school and an ex-
ecutive committe was named TO So
licit further assistance. The commit
tee as named is composed OF the fol-
lowing: G. w. Proebstel, I. NJ. Kemp,
r. C. French. C. A. Barrett. r. Alex
ander and C NJ, Rice, the two last
named being of Pendleton.
Students are Loyal.
In offering money for the mainten-
ance of the schools the students
themselves showed a wonderful loyal
ty to the institution. Many Of them
subschiged TO the fund, giving the
amounts they felt able to pay, The
subscription is so worded that the
payments are to be made monthly
until the close OF school.
The Preston-Parton milling COM
pany OF Athena, which controls the
lighting systems for Athena and Wes-
ton. Voluntarily offered to furnish
electric lights free for the school
during the remainder OF the school
year. This act of generosity on the
part of the company was received
with much gratitude.
During the evening the entire sub
ject of the normal school legislation
was gone over to an extent. In the !
course Of the talk Senator Cole, of |
this county, came in for much crit-
clsm.
Favors Small schools
The principal talk Of the evening |
was by j. r.. Keefe. a member OF the |
faculty. Mr. Kccfe is Harvard !
graduate and also a graduate from a
normal school. In the
course of his remarks he told of the
normal school system in Massachus-
etts. According to the speaker that
state follows the plan of maintain
ing a number of schools in various
parts of the state. They are regarded
as among the leading normals of the
country and Mr.. Keefe maintained
that the success of that plan In his
native state proves the feasibility of
the small school system.
Years ago, according to the speak
cr Massachusetts, had much the same
struggle regarding its normals that
oregon is now having, But the plan
of maintaining several normals was
finally adopted and it is working
most satisfactorily.
Though the members of the Una
tilla county legislative delegation
were invited to attend the meeting
none of them did so. Senator Smith
sent word that he would have at
tended had he not been called into
eastern Washington upon profess
sonal visit.
Over $1,000 Raised.
At o'clock this afternoon the So
letting committee had secured to-
al Of $202250 for the maintenance
IF the normal school. It is expected
% have $250O raised by night NJ l..
Watts, an alumnus of the school, and
who Is manager OF the Preston-Par-
on company at Athena, has offered
'ree electric Fights for the rest of tho
erm.