East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-03-10
STATE CASH is CUT OFF
President French Hopes Special Ses-
sion OF the Legislature Will Sraigt-
en- Matters.
(Spokesman-Review.)

Weston, Ore, March Sit would
be criminal for the legislature to de-
stroy this school with its corps of ex-
cellent teachers, its large attendance
and its plant for educational Work.
All the teachers are university men
or women or are graduates Of stand
ard normal schools Some of them
were obtained only after we had walt
ed several years and some had given
up good positions to come here.
"Our teachers are actuated by more
than the dollar idea, and their influ-
ence as a means of broad, general cul-
ture Is of inestimable worth TO the
students coming under their care"
In these words President r. c
French of the Eastern Oregon Nor
NAL school referred to the recent ac-
ton of the legislature in refusing to
pass the appropriations bill for want
of which the school will have to sus-
pend before the close Of the present
term, or subs!st on the charity OF its
patrons. Several meetings have been
held and a fund, yesterday given as
exceeding $4,000, has been subscribed
in WeNon, Pendleton, Athena and
other towns of the stateto pay the
teachers and maintenance fees till
commencement.
Further meetings under the leader
ship of /. NJ. Kemp, cashier Of the
Farmers National bank, are being
planned as it will require, according
to President French, $4,000 to COM
plete the term. Continuing Mr..
French said:
| Fighting Over Old Battle.
1--WE are having again here in Ore
gon and Umatllla county the same
fight that Horace Mann had in Mass
achusetts half a century ago. We are
refusing to profit by the experience
OF other states. Here we have nearly
900 students including the training
department, who are being denied this
education on unfounded charges OF
graft and extravaganza in administer
ing the normal schools.
1T was stated on the floor OF the
senate in debate that the cost per
student was $1,000 year. This is en-
tirely false. The actual cost per en-
rolled student is somewhat less than
| 500 a year.
"There have been charges of graft
but no one has ever attempted to
show where. As for extravaganza
there has been little in the way oi
improvements and our salaries run
from $500 to $4,000 year, with the
average around $1,000. 1t has cost
Is17.50O a year for the last two years
to run this school.
1--WE have here an educational plan
consisting Of II teachers, excellent
Laboratories in physics and chemistry
good musical facilities, with 10 pianos
two dormitories filled with students
. besides six cottages where small group
, of students live, and an excellent ad
, ministration and recitation building
Plans were completed for a new mem
q dormitory and the appropriation
, called for was to purchase additiona
q land and erect that building.
n "Now the senate, not the house o
a representatives, for that is favoraol
v to the schools, has passed three bill
. nullifying the normal schools, ont
!. denying the appropriation, anothe
a giving the land to the city of Westo
= and q third discharging the board O
= regents. 1t is shame and a disgrac
eel tha nf this anlliD
4 ment.
q "Once before we had to suspend
!. the windows were boarded up and W
q went away, but the school was give
support in the following year and
returned and since that time there ha
been quiet growth"
President French escorted a Spoke'
. man. Review representative throug
the building, showing the classroom
in use. the special library for tn
student teachers, the main librar
r with 1000 volumes, and the manui
training shop.
81 have great hope for the future
r said Mr.. French. II do not belieN
the scboo, will be abandoned. A sp'
ciaI session OF the legislature is to
called shortly, whether to discuss IL
normal schools I am unable to sa
but the outgoing and the newly elec
ell governors are both favorable
the normals. and it IS to be hoped tn
Question viii, receive consideration.
L