126 JOHN C. ALMACK
to the days before the primary and direct election of United States senators existed. Others held that he wished to become governor, and opposed the normals as a means of gaining popularity. Whatever his motives, unquestionably he opposed the normal appropriations by every means in his power. Sen- ators Ben Selling and Nottingham, 34 of Portland, and J. N. Smith of Marion were also looked upon as "arch-enemies" of the schools. There were others : some honestly believing the schools had interfered too much in political affairs ; some hold- ing three were unnecessary; some acting in good faith from other motives ; and a few bent upon their destruction to foster political ambitions, or to balance old scores. The Ashland Tidings hinted that Senator Merryman of Klamath was either the victim of a frame-up, or was in the combine against the normals. In the issue of February 22, 1909, this publication also stated that the senate was organized to kill the normals, and each member of the ways and means committee was put to the test before being given a place thereon. Newspaper publicity, for which Bowerman was said to have been re- sponsible, was commenced on normal activities in the legis- lature. The Portland Oregonian was the most powerful enemy of the schools. Its action can in part be explained by the fact that Harvey W. Scott, 35 its brilliant editor, had consistently opposed public education above the elementary grades, believ- ing that "progress in education lies in the capacity of the learner, not in the teacher. Those desirous of learning can always secure an education, private opportunities being abundant."
The discussion in the press was bitter, not to say vitriolic. Accrimination and recrimination were hurled impartially from both sides. The language used was not always elegant and refined, and there is evidence that statements that would get results were more popular than those that attempted to get at the merits of the issue. On January 22, 1909, the Eugene Register, quoting from the Oregonian, said :
34 Oregonian, March 13, 1909.
35 Harvey W. Scott was the first graduate of Pacific University, a Congre- gational school at Forest Grove, Washington County.
