OREGON NORMAL SCHOOLS 117
stitute the board of regents of the Monmouth Normal. "The board of regents," read the law, "shall receive a deed to the premises now used and held by the state normal at Monmouth, and shall have the same duly recorded." In return an appro- priation of $23,382.76 22 was given the Polk County institution. Seven regents were given to Weston, and an appropriation of $24,000 "conditioned on the conveyance of the property of the school to the board, to be held for the state."
The same year, Portland University, which was then raising high hopes in the hearts of the educational promoters of the Northwest, made a proposition to Ashland to endow the normal school with $20,000 if the people of the city would furnish a suitable building and grounds. The offer was accepted, and a building commenced. It soon became evident that the Port- land institution would not be able to keep its part of the agree- ment, and work on the new building was temporarily sus- pended. In spite of the disappointment over the loss of the prospective endowment, it was agreed that the building should be finished. W. T. VanScoy, who had been president of the Drain Normal and a teacher in Portland University, was called to Ashland. Through his efforts the old normal school prop- erty was sold, and funds made available for the construction of the new building, which was rushed to completion. The year following, Drain dedicated a new building. These institu- tions were then ready to make an offer of their property in return for state support.
THE NORMALS AND THE LEGISLATURE 1893-1909
There seemed to be no doubt in the minds of the politicians that the policy of granting assistance to the schools engaged in training teachers should not be discontinued. In 1895, Governor Lord in his inaugural address said:
"To obtain expert teachers it is necessary to have schools for their education. Upon this basis of need and strictest economy in management, I recommend whatever appropriation may be necessary for their support."
22 In 1891 the trustees of Monmouth had been forced to borrow $4,200 on a note. On receiving this appropriation the note was paid.
