Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 21.djvu/114



104 JOHN C. ALMACK

all our best schools take precedence over those not especially trained for that work. As early as possible, then, we ask that three normal schools be established at convenient centers in our state."

In 1879, Superintendent Rowland was superseded by L. J. Powell. Mr. Powell evidently had misgivings as to the ad- visability of building normals for in his first report to the legis- lature he suggests an alternative in the normal institute :

"The necessity for the special training of teachers is a mat- ter too self-evident to call for elaborate argument. ... I recommend that there be appropriated $2,000 or $3,000 for normal institutes. These would be far better for the state for many years to come than a normal school, principally from the fact that but a comparatively few of our teachers, even if tuition were given free, would ever be likely to attend a nor- mal school."

The agitation for normals continued into the years 1881 and 1882. Mr. Powell again called the notice of the legis- lature to the need of thoroughly trained and well qualified teachers, and said:

"If too much of a burden to establish normals, then let pro- visions be made for normal institutes."

In the recommendations made to the state office, two county superintendents 7 and 8 took occasion to suggest that normal schools be created. At the meeting of the state association in Portland 1881, Superintendent Frank Rigler of Polk County read a paper on "The Necessity for Better Teachers and How to Secure Them," and put foremost as a means normal schools supported by the state. Normal institutes also met with his approval. The same year, Christian College, Monmouth, fol- lowing the example of the state university or with some de- sign for future use, announced that a normal department had been added. r ^^-11Pf

Outside of educational circles, there was no apparent interest in regard to teacher training schools. The public was, so far as evidence is available, indifferent ; the newspapers were silent

7 I. Allen Macrum, Multnomah County: "An efficient normal school is the great need of the public schools of Oregon."

8 L. H. Baker, Yamhill: "A state normal should be established so better methods in teaching may be secured."