OREGON NORMAL SCHOOLS 159
feasting and speaking lasted two days. Breakfast was served by the ladies of Monmouth and there were over 500 present. Mayor Hawley of Monmouth, who was on the point of desert- ing the normal school combine in the session of 1909 for the one-normal plan, was introduced by J. B. V. Butler as "one of the oldest and greatest educators in the state," and the remark was loudly applauded. C. N. McArthur, speaker of the house in 1909, was called upon and repeated his endorse- ment of three normals. E. D. Ressler was loudly applauded when he appeared on the platform and complimented the alumni of Monmouth on their good work. J. H. Ackerman referred to the action of the board of education in 1909 in closing the schools :
"I believe the board exercised a good policy in completely closing the normal schools and boarding up their windows. It proved an object lesson to the people, and jarred them into voting right."
P. L. Campbell, at one time president of Monmouth, and son of T. F. Campbell who was president of Christian College in 1860, made the principal address of the day. After con- gratulating the people of Monmouth and the alumni on the victory at the polls, he said:
"The pioneers (who founded Monmouth University) believed strong, hoped large, and always fought fair. They instilled into the university the spiritual factors which have made it a success. Friends of the school have been compelled to fight against adversities from the first. Every appropriation has meant a battle. ... I would like to see three or four normals in this state, and when the demand comes, would like to see a strong six-year high school in every county, and in con- nection with these normal training preparatory to the higher training of the state normals." 52
Plans were made to reopen the school to students in the fall of 1911. J. H. Ackerman, who had been state superin- tendent of schools, during the fight in the legislature was
52 Oregon Teachers' Monthly. December, 1910.
