The
Cortland Democrat, February
24, 1888.
SAVE
OUR NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The discussion
in the Senate, yesterday, indicated that the Republican majority, comprising
those who have for years had experience in legislative rapacity, have yet some
men who give attention to public interest, when they have no personal or local interests
in view. For instance, the Arnold bill making an additional appropriation of $69,000
for the erection of the new Normal school at Oneonta, met the opposition of
Senators Fassett, Sloan and Kellogg.
Last year Mr. Fassett warned
his colleagues that the original bill appropriating $45,000 for the
establishment of a normal and training school at Oneonta was setting a
dangerous precedent which would ultimately injure the normal school system. He
then alluded to the numerous small normal schools which had been established,
not from any public demand for new schools, but because some locality desired a
State institution in its midst. The result of such influences upon legislation
has largely increased the expense of graduating teachers from those training
schools, until it would be cheaper for the State to send them to Harvard
university or Yale college.
Inasmuch as about two per cent
of the graduates follow teaching in this State, it is time to call a halt in
this wild expenditure of money. Following Senator Fassett's predictions of last
year, six normal school bills have been introduced in the Legislature within a
month. One to locate a school at Plattsburgh, one at Saratoga, one at Glens Falls,
one at Camden, one at Whitesboro, and one at Fairfield.
Taking the Oneonta school as a
sample of the expense involved, we find that the State could vote away over
$700,000, this session, for the erection of new normal schools, now proposed in
these bills, and saddle upon the State an annual expenditure for their
maintenance in the future of as much more.
The same principle applied by
every member of the legislature, after the example of Mr. Arnold, would locate 160
normal schools, this year, on the "Kissing" Plan. There is as much
necessity for 100 more as there is for the one at Oneonta or the six for
which bills have been introduced, and a successful legislative combination which
could override the Governor's veto, could locate 160 of them with as much
propriety as it can accede to the local demands that are pressing for one or
any of these bills.
To be sure, it would only cost
$16,000,000 to give each Senator and Assembly man a normal school this year, and
when such a result was accomplished we would probably have an average of 1-160
of one per cent of the graduates from such institutions teaching in our public schools.
We say this with no purpose to
disparage the normal school work, nor to oppose the establishment of any
institutions in the enterprising and beautiful villages of Oneonta, Glens Falls,
Saratoga, or Plattsburgh, but in the interest of the normal school system,
which is being threatened by this mad rush for more schools, the result of which
will be to stir up a public sentiment among the people that will make it
extremely difficult to obtain maintenance appropriations for those we now have,
or possibly wipe them out of existence entirely.
There could be a better plan of
protecting our normal schools to-day than for their friends to rise up in their
might and demand that no more new schools be built for years—not until the
capacity of those we now have is utilized. The department of public instruction
has a duty to perform in this direction other than recommending "perfect
ellipse" sites or pursuing a course that lays it open to criticism for
favoring one location while it is understood to discourage the location at
other schools because no more are necessary.
It certainly should abstain
from participation in any effort to magnify the needs of the work in a
self-contradictory manner, and not approve of a $150,000 structure where the
State intended to build but a $45,000 one. The gorgeous plan of the Oneonta building is more imposing in appearance to the residents of
Oneonta than to the citizens of adjoining villages, who are called upon to pay
taxes to cripple their own academies that are now struggling for recognition
among the institutions of learning.
Superintendent Draper's boyhood
admiration for a "perfect ellipse" and Mr. Arnold’s grip on the
supply and appropriation bills of last year are hardly the kind of reasons why
the normal school system should suffer or the State of New York be taxed beyond
reason for supporting local normal school crazes which depreciate the work of an
excellent system of training teachers.
Tariff Notes.
By all means let coal be placed
on the free list. It is a perfectly clear case.—Minneapolis Tribune, Rep.
Except so far as it filches the
earnings of labor, a tariff has no more influence upon wages than it has on the
tides of the ocean.—Philadelphia Record.
When the war tariff orators
declare that "a surplus is better than a deficit," they blink the
fact that the treasury surplus is a deficit. Every dollar of that surplus is a deficit
in the pockets and business of the people.—Detroit
Free Press.
If there is any principle that
ought to be clear, it is that reductions should be made in the duties on raw
materials; not some one of the list, but all of those which enter largely into
domestic manufacture and home consumption. In this direction lies the line of
practical tariff reform.—St. Paul Pioneer
Press, Rep.
The rapid formation of
"trusts" under the favoring influence of the protective tariff is a
sufficient answer to the claim of the Home Market Club and Mr. Sherman that competition
at home reduces prices to the consumer below what would be the price otherwise.
These are formed with the single purpose of killing all competition in the home
market, and by the aid of the protective they are able to do it.—Boston Post.
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| Railroad Street (Central Ave.), Main to Church St., circa 1899. "Grand Central" block is located on the south side, 13-29 Central Ave. See reference below. |
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| "Grand Central" building today. Decorative roof turrets and dome-shaped arcade were removed years ago. |
Fifty persons were baptized in
the M. E church in this place last Sunday, and nearly one hundred joined on
probation.
Two ladies are to be nominated
at the Saturday meeting of the W. C. T. C. (M. E. church), for places on the
public school board.
Last week Will Perkins, of
Little York, captured a young loon on Mount Topping. It was at least two miles
from open water. He has the bird in a cage.
About March 1st, Messrs. Smith & Bates
will remove from their present location to Orchard St., where they will
continue the hardware business until the new block on Main St. is completed.
The First National Bank, which
has been for some time past located in S. E. Welch's store, was moved, Wednesday,
into Whiteson's, where it will remain until the new bank building is completed.
A dome shaped front, bearing
the words "Grand Central," has been placed on the new Wickwire block
on Railroad St. The building, which is one of the finest in town, will
hereafter be known by that name.
The following advice given by
an ex change should lie followed by everybody: "If you see a telephone,
telegraph or an electric light wire down, don't touch it. Don't meddle with
them under any circumstances."
Mr. J. E. Jepson has purchased
the stock of groceries in the store on Orchard St., formerly occupied by Isaac
Dennison, and taken possession of the same. Mr. Jepson was for seventeen years
a conductor on the D. L. & W. R. R., and has hosts of friends who will wish
him success in his new undertaking.
While crossing the street car
track on Main street, a few days ago, manager Allport, of the Singer Mf'g Co.,
was thrown from his sleigh and badly cut around the left eye. The accident does not, however, deter
him from talking sewing machines, with his usual vivacity, to any one whom he
can persuade to listen to him.
About thirty friends of Miss
Maud, the little daughter of School Commissioner Stillman, met at her home on North Main street, last Tuesday evening, to
celebrate her ninth birthday. The part of hostess was taken by the little lady
with a graceful dignity, and her guests were entertained in so royal a manner,
that all were sorry when the hour came for departing to their homes.
Tuesday afternoon a severe
accident happened to Waller Lord, a lad of about 14 years of age, who was running a small planer in the shop of the Cortland
Door & Window Screen Co. While engaged in operating the machine a small piece
became fastened in the knives, from which he endeavored in vain to extricate
it. To give himself additional support he placed one foot against the bed plate
of the machine, when suddenly the foot slipped and became caught in the knives.
Every toe was taken off just back of the joints, and the ball of the foot badly
lacerated. A hack was immediately called and conveyed the lad to his home, and
Drs. Dana, Hughes and White summoned. He is now comfortable, and doing as well
as can be expected.
J. H. May gives a social hop at
the Virgil hotel on Tuesday evening, Feb. 28th, 1888. Good music in attendance. Full bill, 75 cents.
W. S. Freer had a rousing party
at his house in Higginsville, last Friday evening. Eighty couples attended, and all agreed that they had a splendid time.
The refreshments were excellent, the music good, and everything passed off
pleasantly.
Riley Champlin, Esq., was
nominated for Justice of the Peace by the Democratic convention held in this
town, without his knowledge. Mr. Champlin did not want the office, and would
not, in any event, have accepted the nomination to run against his law partner,
Mr. Bouton. He promptly caused posters to be put up announcing that he was not
a candidate.
The Rev. H. E Gilchrist has
resigned the pastorate of the Universalist Church in this place to take effect
March 1st. Mr. Gilchrist will remove at once to Provincetown, Mass., where he
will have charge of a large and flourishing society. During his stay here his
genial, kindly bearing has won for him many friends who will regret his
departure, but who will wish him the fullest measure of success in his new home
and work. Next Sabbath morning he will speak on Revivals, their Use and Abuse; and
in the evening will take for his subject The little Lump that has leavened the
Loaf of Religious Thought.
W. C. T. U. Lunch Reading Room.
Nearly a year ago the matter of furnishing a reading room was put in the
hands of a number of women called the "Central Committee" chosen from the W. C.
T. U. At the renting of the room
known as Townley's saloon, this
committee held in hand by
subscription from citizens, the sum of
one thousand dollars. The rent was seven
hundred, leaving in the treasury three hundred
dollars. This three hundred dollars still remains in the treasury, showing that the room has been furnished and
supported by itself. Save a few
simple articles purchased, the
provisions for lunch have been prepared
by a generous public, the committee
arranging for regular supplies through
the churches.
This room has been kept open from morning until evening
with a janitor in charge, for
the several purposes of lunch,
wanting reference, and reading room.
The number of readers enjoying its comforts
for the past two months has averaged
over five hundred per month.
The 4 o'clock Sunday service has been both interesting and
profitable, the first gospel service some have heard for years. In several
Sabbaths the attendance has averaged between 70 and 80 persons.
A sub-committee has had in
charge the planning for evening classes and has secured the faithful service of
competent teachers. The sessions are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
evenings in the stone school house of Church street. The lack of members have
been almost compensated by the diligence and punctually of the few.
It is the hope of the committee
and teachers, that the evening school is permanently planted. At any time
pupils entering will be classed according to their needs. Will the public
think, Does Cortland need such a school?
Owing solely to the high rent,
it has been decided to leave the room now in use, but one equally pleasant can
be secured on Main street if we can obtain $500, just half the amount given
last year. We desire to make this even more homelike and helpful than the
present one has been. Will the citizens help us this year?
BY ORDER COMMITTEE.
"Grand Central" block reference:
Cortland Walking Tour: http://www.cortlandhistory.com/PDF/WALKING%20brochure.pdf
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