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About The Monmouth herald. (Monmouth, Or.) 1908-1969 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1910)
Vol. II Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon, Friday, Feb. 11, 1910 No. 25 s THE NORMAL SCHOOLS Editor Hayter Writes an Inter esting and Instructive Letter of Normal School Work In Differnent States (The Polk County Observer Feb. 4) The Observer has little patience with the criticisms of Oregon's course in abandoning her Normal schools offered by the newspapers and educators of other western states. It is true that on the face of things, the action of the last legislature would make it appear that the people of Oregon- were not deeply interested in the welfare of their public school system. But to anyone at all familiar with local conditions, the utter absurdity of these criticisms is thoroughly apparent. Oregon did not abandon her Normal schools because Oregonians are indifferent to the edu cation of the young. Statistics show that few states m the Union have more modern public school systems than our own State of Oregon, and these evi dences of superior and up-to-date edu cational methods are barked up by the numerous medals and diplomas awarded to the schools of this state at all of the great Expositions held in the United States in the last twenty years awards won in competition with the oldest and most thickly populated 'states in our great Nation. Oregon abandoned her Normal schools because the system by which they had been established was all wrong. It was not so much to the a nount of money appropriated for these schools that the people objected as it was to the methods to which the friends and partisans of the several institutions were obliged to resort to obtain it. The conditions which surround the Normal system are S" wo" urH"- ' by every taxpayer that it is not neces sary to rehearse, them here. The whole difficulty can be summed up in one brief word politics. Members of the Ore gon Legislature so far forgot their pa triotism and their responsibility as guardians of the yoath of the state as to use these schools for political pur poses. The Normals were used by de signing politicians for purpose of barter and trade, and as a result the schools themselves, while in no way to blame for existing conditions, were the suf ferers. Instead of treating these schools like other institutions were treated, conditions were created which made it necessary for the legislators from the Normal School counties to go into the Legislature and fight for every penny of the appropriations, for their respective schools. In order to secure money for these institutions, the Sena tors and Representatives from the Nor mal counties often found themselves facing the alternative of voting for some measure or appropriation of which they did not at all approve, or going home without an appropriation for their Nor mal school and being but human, and fearing to face a displeased constitu ency, they swallowed the dose, and got their money. Not only were these members not free moral agents after taking their seats in the Legislature, but they were actually tied hand and foot from the very day of their election, for each and every man of them knew precisely what course he would have to pursue during the session in order to gain any recognition whatever of his claim. It was this condition of affairs and not any spirit of unprogressiveness or moss-backism that finally drove the the people of Oregon to abandon their Normal School system altogether. I he method may have been harsh but an outraged populace does not always em ploy gentle measures in righting public wrongs. Last year the writer took a vacation from his work and traveled extensively over the country west of the Mississip pi River, visiting in all some ten or twelve states and territories. Being interested in the Normal School ques tion, on account of the deplorable con dition of the schools in Orogon, he made it a point to observe the work of these schools in other states and to ascertain as far as possible the sentiment of the people toward them. In each state visited he found from one to four Normals all generously supported from the public treasury, and all objeets of pride to the people. Nowhere did he hear that these schools were in any way mixed in the politics of the state, nor that the legislators from the coun ties in which the schools were located were obliged to make any sacrifices of either their votes or their -stand upon subjects of state importance to secure needed appropriations for maintaining and increasing the usefulness of these institutions. On the contrary, the Nor mal Schools were, classed with the state universities as state institutions, and were supported accordingly. It was found to be a fact worthy of note that in many of the desert states, whose wealth is comparatively small and pop ulation scattering, that Normal Schools were housed in buildings that would shame by comparison the best public buildings in many of the older and rich er states of the Union. It was strik ingly evident to the visitor that these states recognized the value of their Normal Schools and were supporting them accordingly. (Editor Hayter's instructive normal letter will be continued in our next next issue. His observation of the normal schools of California and other places are timely in Oregon. Ed.) Club Meeting The Monmouth Commercial Club will meet in G. A. Peter son's real estate office Tuesday evening, February 15, to elect officers to serve for the ensuing year and for the transaction of other business. A full turnout of the member ship is desired, and also those who desire to become members. All are welcome to attend. Come out. To Change Town Charter A special election has been called for Saturday February 26, 1910 for the purpose of changing the charter of the Town of Mon mouth, to which we call attention. The object of the change is to place the town in a position to conserve her interests so that certain benefits, not to - be had under the old charter may be ob tained. One particular benefit is men tioned; that of having the right to collect her own road tax and look after the repair of the roads and streets within her borders. As far as our. information goes there are se me towns that nave succeeded in getting such benefits and there are others seeking to obtain such privileges. Mon mouth citizens should be upright and just in all their demands and shoi.ld have what they are en titled to, and they should be care ful not to encroach upon the rights of others. The town's in terests is wrapped up in the in terests of the community and both should be cared for. We believe the charter should be changed so as to give the coun cil better working facilities, but voters should make themselves acquainted with the provisions for which they are voting. Next week we will try and give more light upon the question, and the columns of the Herald are always open to a fair discussion of subjects of interest, so if any one has views to submit just write them out and hand them in. Dallas is now moving to have a separate road district to conform to the corporate limits and if one town can do so why might not another have the same privilege? T. J. Clark and wife of Salem stopped in Monmouth for a short time while passing through. REGULAR PORTLAND LETTER ! i Portland Will Hold a Large Industrial Meeting 10 INCREASE FAILING LOBSTER SUPPLY A Celebrated Painter Will Try His Skill in Painting Oregon Roses Portland, Oregon, Feb. 8 A big industrial fair, representative of all Oregon, is being planned for Portland this Fall. As yet plans are tentative but it is prac tically certain that the exposition will be held and that it will be a big success is assured from the interests that are behind the movement. It is expected to hold the fair during the first ten days of Sep tember. Manufactures of the state will be given a prominent place in the displays and the co operation of the Portland Manu facturers' Association, a strong organization that has done a great deal to build up manufac turing of all kinds, is probable. The varied products and re sources of Oregon will be shown and it is believed the exposition will demonstrate the progress Oregon is making in a striking way. An event that is cf wide in terest is a complimentary ban quet to be given Judge George H. Williams, Oregon's grand old man, on his 87th birthday, March 27, in Portland. As Attorney General in President Grant's cobinet and prominent in the nation's history throughout his active life, Judge Williams com mands the affection and respect of all Oregonians and the most prominent people of the city are proud to show him honor. Planning to increase the failing lobster supply, the United States Fisheries Department will trans plant a carload in the waters of the Yaquina Bay. Whether the lobsters will thrive there is not yet known but it is thought con ditions are right for them. Lob sters demand a rocky bottom, without salt deposited by nearby rivers, which is the case at Ya quina. This is the reason as signed for the failure of experi ments made heretofore in trying to grow Erstern lobsters in Pa cific waters. Senator Bourne has been agitating the matter and has secured the promise of Fish Com missioner Bowers to make the experiment at Yaquina. Special round-trip excursion rates have been made from the East to Portland by the railroads for the annual Rose Festival in June and the national convention of the Ancient Order of Hiber nians in July. Both of these events will attract large numbers of people and the rates are to be as attractive as these made last year for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition. These fares should be the means of giVing thousands of tourists their first view of Or egon during the coming Summer. It is expected that over 2000 delegates will attend the annual state convention of the Young I Peoples' Christian Endeavor So ciety in Portland rebruary 15-1, which is likely to be the bggest assembly of the organization ever in Oregon. .The session will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Twelfth and Alder streets. While in the city the Endeavors will be entertained by a reception and banquet by the Y. M. C. A. Oregon roses are to have a wider fame than ever very soon for the beautiful blooms that have made a reputation for Port land as a rose center are to be copied by Paul De Longpre, the celebrated painter of roses. The well known artist planned to come here on February 22 at the time of the annual rose planting but was unable to carry out his intention and will come during the Rose Festival in June. , He will paint some of the famous flowers he will see here. King's Valley Bruce Miller was a Salem visit or last week. Charley Elkins was in the val ley over Sunday. C. E. Rice is boarding at the Rodgers home now. Merle Bilyeu visited his father at Albany last week. H. T. Maxfield was in Corvallis on business Saturday. Mrs. Hettie Miller was an Albany visitor last week. Mr. -and Mrs. Logan visited the home of Dick Rodgers Sunday. Dick Rodgers and wife re turned from Waterloo Tuesday. Addie Maxfield returned from a three week's visit at Corvallis Sunday. Byrle the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Price has been quite sick with tonsilitis. John Banks and Dan Ross came out from Simpson's camp Satur day and returned Sunday. Arthur Price has sold his ranch to a Mr. Nymon of Grant County. He will take possession in July. We understand that Charles Skaggs is a benedi ct these days. He was married to Ella Marcel lus at Corvallis last Wednesda y. John McCallum returned from the Moon Logging Camp Friday. They have closed the camp for awhile. School Entertainment We appreciate greatly the kind ness of the people of Monmouth, in coming out to hear the Third, Fourth and Fifth grade play given Saturday evening. It is encouraging to find a community where there is so much interest taken in school af fairs. With the thirty dollars, clear, we are ordering abont fifty books to be placed in the permanent school library. The children will receive direct, the rewards of their efforts. Guy Sacre has the honor of having sold the greatest number of tickets. Miss Grace Whitehouse. R. J. Feinbery and C. F. Crock- ell of San Francisco were in Mon mouth Wednesday in the interest of San Francisco firms. Miss Blanche Stitt and her sis ter, Mrs. Agnes Daily, contem plate a visit to their sister, Mrs. Kathryn Lenhart, at Springfield, Oregon, next Saturday. NEWS FROM COUNTY SEAT Court House Notes. PROBATE Estate of C J Hussey, deceased final account set for hearing March 5, 10 a m. Estate of Giles Bennett, de ceasedordered that commission issue to any person qualified to administer an oath at Gothen burg, Nebraska, to take deposi tion of J II Kelly and B R Kelley as to execution of will. Estate of Catherine Murray, deceased inventory and ap praisement approved. Guardianship of minor heirs of D F Boyer, deceased new bond in sum of $2000 filed and ap proved. Estate of William Livermore, deceased petition to change record granted. Estate of Mary E. Ramp, de ceasedMaggie J Ram apppoint ed administratrix; bond fixed at $700. Estate of Eliza G Emmens, de ceasedinventory and appraise ment filed and approved; estate appraised at $22,937,49. Estate of William Grant, de ceased U S Grant appointed ad mistrator; bond filed and ap proved; Hardy Holman, M M Ellis and D J Riley appointed ap praisers. Estate of Isaac Dyck, deceased petition to lease farm granted. Guardianship of Wendell San ders, a minor Abe Unglow ap pointed guardian; bond filed and approved. Estate C J Hussey, deceased application to withdraw final ac count and allow estate to re main open granted. MARRIAGE LICENSE Henry Peters and Marea Reimer. REAL ESTATE Gerdard D Braun et ux to Sarah J Stott, 201 acres, t 6 s, r 5 w, $10. Cora M Colwell and hd to Wil liam and Maria J Ellis, lots in Falls City, $1100. United States to Mina Becker, 40 acres, t 8 s, r 7 w, patent. RE Williams to C L Crider, part Block 9, Dallas $3000. H Holman et ux to II R Sloan, 10 acres, 1 8 s, r 6 w, $1. L Sumpter et ux to Julia A and John W Miller, 10 acres, t 8 s, r 6 w, $400. D L Hedges et al to W D Wright, 20 acres, t 8 s, r 4 w, $1. Harry Pickens et al to Barker Pickens, 37 acres, 1 6 s, r 5 w, $1. United States to Seeley T Don- ohoe, 80 acres, 1 7 s, r 6 w, patent. James A Gibson et ux to J C Schmelzel, 205.85 acres, t 6 s, r 6 w, $9000. Anglo-American Securities Co to D Hollowell and William Ellis, 40 acres, 1 8 s, r 6 w, $1050. Barker Pickens et ux to Elmer Enes, 37.61 acres, t6s, r5w, $10. Walter L Tooze to Floyd E Smith, 40 acres, t 8 s, r 6 w, $850. James Elliott et ux to Wes M Elliott, 34.95 acres, 1 8 s, r 5 w, $1. Wes M Elliott to Fred R Elliott, 23.84 acres, 1 8 s, r 5 w, $1. D J Riley et al to H R Sloan, 84 acres, t 8 s, r 6 w, $1.