The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1912-03-23

within the corporate limits of the
Town of Jackson. 1t consists OF ,
come forty or fifty acres Of land in
he campus and certain residences
adjoining the college property The
buildings were erected at a cost OF
an amount in excess of $780, 100000
The buildings are entirely construct
ed of brick and are covered with
slate roofing. The buildings are Sit
uated on magnificent site, in a
healthful location and are unSurpass-
ed for school purposes by anything IN
Louisiana or the Southland. The
property was owned and operated by
the Methodist Church under a statu-
tory agreement with the state that
the Church would maintain and OPP
crate a literary institution there.
The Methodist Church has failed on
it's part for term of several years
to maintain and operate the institu-
ton. A bill has passed the Leglsla-
ture instmcting the attOrney-gener-
al to enter suit for the property IN
order to maintain the rights OF the
State accrued through donation OF
said land, and such buildings as the
State had erected previous to its
ccming into the possession Of the
Methodist Church. In accordance
with this act of the Legislature, In
viting the Church and all parties
to enter a friendly suit, the matter
should soon be amicably and legally
adjusted once for all.
It is an entirely reasonable pro-
iect to suggest that in regaining pos
session of this property, the state
should establish a normal school
there, North Louisiana has an insti-
tuition at RuStOn for the aCc0mm0da-
ton and education of her boys and
girls. North Central Louisiana mas
the Normal at Natchitoches. South
west Louisiana has the industrial al
LAFAYETTE. The Florida Parishes and
the Sixth Congressional District have
no industrial or normal institution
of learning, whatsoever. The LOUIS
lana State University at Baton
Rouge is a statewide institution and
designed to meet the requirements
of higher education. There could be
no conflict between the L. S. U. and
a Normal School at Jackson, because
thew operate in different fields anc
would be mutually helpful.
The matter of friendly contention
, between the Church and the State
with reference to the buildings coult
and should be properly adjusted IL
the Courts. Twenty thousand dol
lars, added to the buildings at Jack
son, would give the State an insti
tuition which could not be duplicated
. for less than one hundred thousan'
, dollars, at the present prices for la
, Dor and material
Now, the reasons fCr a State NOR
nal at Jackson, are briefly stated
as follows:
= 1. Our present facilities in LourS1
ana for training teachers to NEE
= the demands of the State are entire
O ly inadequate.
O 2. Natchitoches is practically Gu
v of reach of our boys and girls VIII
n desire attending a Normal Schoo
q A large majority of boys and girls
l. who are seeking normal certificates
& are practically without means TO
If transportation to such a distant poin
= Franklinton, La, is 276 miles fro1
d Natchitoches by the most diret
railroad line; and the actual cost {
transportation from FranklintOn
Natchitoches is $16.55. Add to thi
W amount hotel accommodations at CO.
L ingtOn, and probable hotel expense
a at Baton Rouge, with an expensiV
t. transfer at Baton Rouge and you wi
T. find that the trip to Natchitoche
K would cost an amount about equal
e two months board. Clinton, La,
le the extreme eastern part Of tn
y Florida parishes, is 1913 miles frol
m Natchitoches. Hammond, La, whic
T. is centrally located in the Florid
le parishes, is 211 miles from the SCI
1t of thel Normal School,
8. The buildings at Jackson al
10 valuable; and whatever right tt
State may have in the same shou
~ be utilized for the benefit of tt