The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-12-09
THE STATE NORMALS.

In the selection of the sites for the
three state normal schools the state
board of education has concluded an
arduous and embarrassing task, ardu-
Gus because the various matters and
bearings that had to be taken into ac-
count as affecting the convenience, eff
cheney and prospects of the schools,
and embarrassing because of the in
tense interest and zeal manifested by
the communities competing for the To-
cations of the schools. This earnest
and active competition tended in some
measure to magnify the Importance
and advantage which would accrue to
the community that would be so fortu-
nate as TO secure one of the prizes, and
it was so persistent as TO make it GER
tain that some of the contending cities
that were inspired by a lively hope of
success would take failure with griev-
Gus sense of disappointment But as
only three out of about twenty COM
peting localities could be selected, the
certainty of the disappointment of the
many should be ground for philosophic
acquiescence on the part of the less for
tunate communities.
1t can be justly assumed that the
state board of education selected the
sites with the interests and the future
of the three normal schools chiefly in
view and with this as the dominant
thought and purpose in determining
the locations according to their best
judgment. And this involved likewise
consideration of the money and bonds
offered for the schools as we'll as the
advantages of situation. The selections
made will no doubt prove generally
satisfactory to the people of the state.
/ The location of the West Tennessee
| normal at Memphis is sustained by a
number of important considerations.
Not only were the monetary induce
ments offered such as will provide for
the most thorough establishment and
equipment of the school, but there are
distinct and varied advantages in a
large city that will accrue to such a
school as that proposed. The teachers
under instruction in the institution
will have opportunities of observation
and investigation in a large city with
its greater public school system, its
public library, which is an important
item of advantage its lecture facilities
and many other means of broadening
the views and scope of the teachers in
formation. Other competing cities in
West Tennessee are more centrally To-
Gated, but Memphis with her system
Of railroads is, take it altogether, quite
as accessible as some of the interior
cities of that division of the state. 1t
might be well argued that Knoxville
and Nashville would be better locations
for the other two normal schools, but
neither of these cities made any effort
to secure one of the schools and both
were content to give smaller cities the
opportunity.
The location of the school at Johnson
City seemed to have been decided upon
quite readily by the board, and the wis.
dom of that selection is apparent.
The choice of Murfreesboro for the
location of the Middle Tennessee nor
NAL can also be well sustained. Clarks
vile was the strongest competition
against Murfreesboro not only in the
amount of money and bonds guaran
teed, but in the claim of local advant
ages, but Clarksville is not so centrally
located as Murfreesboro or SO easily &C
cessible as a Middle Tennessee point.
Tennessee has reason to be proud o.
all the cities which commended for tn,
schools, all of which had claims FOL
enterprise and community prestige wor
by of the greatest consideration, bu
all could not get state normal school
The cities that have been favored are t