OREGON NORMAL SCHOOLS 121
ments have been so limited 26 that persons have found this an easy road to receiving state diplomas. It is certainly very practical experience in teaching and school government. But evident that no persons should have a diploma who has had no it is a notorious fact that persons are sent forth from some institutions who have no practical knowledge of the science of teaching, and are equipped with nothing but knowledge of a certain limited course of study."
The schools referred to are unknown, but an examination of the report of the state superintendent for the year 1898 shows that the following private schools gave normal courses : Philo- math offered a normal course of three years leading to a degree; LaFayette Seminary; Mineral Springs College, at Sodaville, Linn County; Mt. Angel Academy and College; Portland University; Santiam Academy; Radical College of Philomath; St. Francis' Academy and College of Baker City; Pacific University. In 1891 Philomath, Pacific, and Willam- ette had taken advantage of the provision of the school law empowering private colleges to grant certificates of teaching, but the number of students they registered was small.
The appropriations given by the state were entirely inade- quate, and the normals had a fearful struggle for bare exist- ence. At last in 1901, the normals asked for greatly increased appropriations, the total being $116,229.53. This was granted, Monmouth receiving $30,800, Ashland $15,000, Weston $59,429.53, and Drain $11,000. Of Weston's allowance, $35,000 was for a new building. George E. Chamberlain, who was opposed to four normals, became governor, and in 1903 in his message to the legislature recommended :
"The number of normal schools be reduced to two on account of expense and inefficiency of management so situated geographically as to best accommodate the entire state."
Far from heeding the recommendation of the chief execu- tive, the legislature made an effort to create another school, and the bill actually passed both houses but was vetoed by the governor. The normal school forces were strong and well organized, and succeeded in getting an appropriation of $88,000,
26 It was only necessary to read a book on education to meet the requirement.
