The Citizens of Bemidji Alive to the Necessity of Concerted Action in Pushing Forward Our Superior Claims.
Committee of Seven, Which Will Be Augmented Later, Appointed to Lead the Fight on Behalf of Bemidji.
Beautiful Spots On Lake Bemidji, Adjoining Proposed Site ‘For New Normal School Building.
If enthusiasm, determination and unity of purpose count for anything in an undertaking, the meeting held last evening at the Masonic hall for the purpose of discussing the proposition for the establishing of a sixth state normal school. augurs well for the location of the institution at Bemidji, should the bill providing for the school become a law.
The meeting, which was a very harmonious one, was attended by representatives. of nearly every line of business, profession calling and trade, including the clergy, of the city. The meeting was called to order by Mayor A. A. Carter, who was unanimously elected chairman, and W. B. Stewart was chosen secretary.
There is a determination on the part of Bemidji citizens use all honorable means in securing the school for this city, and no effort will be spared from this time on to gain that end that sentiment predominated last night.
Professor Stewart was first speaker called upon remarks. He had but a few days ago returned from a private trip to St. Paul, during which he had felt the “legislative in pulse,” as it were, relative to the normal school matter, and the citizens assembled were anxious to hear from him.
Mr. Stewart Stated that he had found many influential people who not only favored the establishing of a sixth normal school, but who were also in favor of locating the school at Bemidji as being the most advantageous and desirable point. There were some who did not favor the school project, at all, and a very few were not particular where the school would be located, although believing that a sixth normal was a necessity. He had found that Thief River Fails was in the “game” for the school, and that Village already had a noted lobbyist doing quiet work for locating the school there. He believed that the outlook was very encouraging for Bemidji. Representative Opsahl of this city was doing much quiet, but effective, work for Bemidji. He believed that the only thing necessary to insure success was for the “hustlers” of this city to “get busy,” but advised careful procedure so-as not to unnecessarily antagonize the other aspirants for the plum.
T. J. Miller stated that he was and certain that Bemidji had the unanimous and hearty support of at least one state senator—a strong democrat whose influence for was felt in all important matters considered in the legislature – Senator S. D. Works of Mankato, who had assured several citizen of his hearty co-operation and the best efforts of which he was capable.
E. J. Swedback, ex-state senator was the next speaker* He suggested that a bill locating, the normal school at Bemidji- be drawn and that Senator Hanson be requested to introduce the. He stated that the bill which he presented at the last session of the legislature, for the location of a school here, was killed in the senate committee, certain interested parties of influence not desiring that the bill be passed at that time.
P. J. Russell had been in correspondence with both Representative Opsahl and Senator Hanson. He believed that, by all means, the fight should be made on a bill establishing the school at Bemidji, and for an eleventh hour substitute the location be left to the selection of the normal school board. He was fully ‘convinced that, by the right kind of work, the school could not only be established but would be located here. We have the best railroad facilities, there being practically four lines of railways centering in Bemidji, and ten passenger trains daily run in and out of the city. Plenty of land would be donated. He had sent a bill to both Senator Hanson and Representative Opsahl, with the request that they introduce them, and he had been given the assurances of support from several of the most prominent members of both branches of the legislature. Thief River Palls was located at the stub-end of a branch line of the G. N. railway, running from Crookston. True, that place had the Soo road, but the trains did not run six months in. the year, and were of little value, so far, to that place.
E. E. McDonald was called upon for his views in the matter, stated that the. When the bill was introduced two years ago to establish a school here, investigations showed that conditions were different from now. The Duluth normal was not nearly filled, and the capacity of some of the other normals was not at all taxed, so that the bill was killed, or that session. It was entirely different now. The five normal schools were crowded and were unable to accommodate all who desired to attend. He believed that the agitation of two years ago favoring Bemidji for a school would innure to our benefit now. We should first, create a sentiment in favor of establishing a sixth school and then after the location with a determination that there should be no let-up. His idea was to introduce two bills, one each in the house the senate, simultaneously, and that progress be made at about the same rate in both houses. When there was a joint meeting of the committees, claims should be presented and the case made so strong that a favorable report would issue. This report would have much to do with the ultimate determination and disposition of the bill He believed the prospects were good for Bemidji.
A. B. Allen would like to see’ the matter go through, and would do all in his power to aid the movement. He knew several members of the legislature and would take up the matter with them.
W. A. Gould was asked for his opinion in the matter. He favored the appointment of a committee of six or more to go to St. Paul and assist in pushing the bills for locating the normal school at Bemidji.
E. E. McDonald suggested that, later, the committee could be increased as the occasion demanded; when the committees met a strong showing should be made.
Mr. Stewart stated that no appropriation went with the bills now prepared and there was no intention to ask an appropriation at this time.
No money was to be expended, under the provisions of the proposed bills, until 1908, according to P. J. Russell, who had drawn the Bemidji bill, and who knew of the contents of the Cass Lake bill.
The suggestion that a committee of six be appointed to go to St. Paul resulted in the selection of E. J. Swedback, W. A. Gould, P. J. Russell, A. Pi Ritchie, A, A. barter and Clyde J. Pryor, with E. E McDonald as alternate for Mr. Gould.
It was agreed that there should be prepared data showing all the advantages of Bemidji for the locations of a normal school —the excellent hotel accommodations, unexcelled railroad facilities reaching out to the four points of the compass, the excellent location which can be offered for a site, and the healthful climate and attractive scenery and environments that accompany the proposition to locate the school in this city.
Professor Ritchie” had prepared a map, showing the exact location of Bemidji relative to the other five schools already established. It demonstrated that this city was as near the geographical center of the unoccupied territory not covered by a normal as could be figured. The map also showed that at least one-third of the state was not represented by a normal. According to State Superintendent Olson, more than 1,200 applicants for teachers’ certificates had failed to pass the state examinations, and most of the applicants were from the north half of the state—the one-third not represented by a normal school. In Beltrami county, there was but one teacher outside the city schools who was a normal graduate. The speaker believed that the ratio would hold good as to other counties in this part of the state.
E E. McDonald again spoke, stating that he was informed that the average normal school building erected by the state would cost $175,000; and it would cost $35,000 to maintain the school after once started. This amount of money expended in a community meant much to the prosperity of the place.
Mr. Gould assured the meeting that he would see to it that many good men were put to hustling for Bemidji in this master, and that he would be on hand when the final struggle began.
The meeting adjourned sine die, the members of the newly-appointed committee holding, an executive session immediately after adjournment of the mass meeting.