114 JOHN C. ALMACK
time of their establishment as state schools. However, the first evidence of this desire for financial aid from the public came from the expression of county and state superintendents ; though these were doubtless inspired by normal school officials and friends. In 1885 County Superintendent E. A. Milner of Benton County wrote to the state superintendent :
"Establishing a normal school at Monmouth is a great aid to the public schools. Although established less than two years, Benton County is already receiving benefit from it. From President Stanley I learn that it is the intention of the board of trustees to deed the entire school property to the state, and to allow the state to appoint the board of regents, upon con- dition that the state make appropriation to meet the running expenses."
Certainly if the supporters of the normal school at Mon- mouth had promised in 1883 that they would never ask for state aid that promise was soon forgotten.
Other county superintendents were happily struck with the desirability of the state lending aid to the normals. Frank Rigler of Polk County (in which Monmouth Normal is lo- cated) advised the state superintendent:
"Some provision should be made for the support of the state normal schools."
And L. H. Baker in the adjoining county of Yamhill be- lieved :
"We need a normal school supported by the state, and then require the teachers to attend."
The legislature of 1885, busily engaged in creating other normals, did not heed the suggestions here given. Two years later Superintendent Milner of Benton repeated his endorse- ment of Monmouth :
"I visited the school at Monmouth in February, and found over 200 young men and women in attendance. A more en- ergetic body of teachers and professors cannot be found. The teaching is thorough and practical as normal school work
