North Half of the State, Beyond the Actual Geographical Center, Has Two Normals, at Extreme Eastern and Western Boundaries—Bemidji Center of This Territory -Three Normals South of Center of State.

The proposition to establish the sixth normal school in this state is being widely discussed, and it is generally understood that a bill to that end wi1 ! be introduced in the present legislature. The five normal schools now established are located as follows: Duluth, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Winona and Mankato, leaving nearly one-half the state without a local normal school. Three of our five normal schools are located in border cities, viz., Duluth, Moorhead and Winona. Mankato is strictly a southern Minnesota town. St. Cloud is located more than fifty miles south of the geographical center of the state, and by the way is our nearest normal school by railway.

Bemidji is in the center of this vast unrepresented territory, and is easily reached by railroads from every direction, having two lines each from the north and the south and one from each the east and the west, with many other branch lines connected with these. Prospects are also good for other diagonal roads.

Besides being the geographical centre and having fine railroad facilities, Bemidji does not blush, but is proud, in presenting her local claims for such an institution as a state normal school. We already have a population of 5,000 bright, energetic, progressive citizens. Our beautiful lakes and rivers are unsurpassed in picturesque beauty. We are sheltered from the blizzards of the bleak prairies of Moorhead and the cold, chilly breezes of Duluth, by a primeval forest representing nearly all the woody growths found in Minnesota. We have a climate for health and vigor, that is unsurpassed by any locality in the state. Bemidji has long been known as a health resort.

These are a few of our claims why Bemidji should be selected for the sight should such an institution be established.

That there is room for another state normal school in Minnesota there can be no doubt; and why should not northern Minnesota pupils have as good a right to demand trained teachers as the southern part of the state.

According to State Superintendent Olsen’s report, last year more than one thousand teachers who could not pass the teacher’s examinations were trying to teach school in Minnesota, and the most of them in the north half of the state. It is hard to find a normal graduate in the rural schools, where, they are needed most.

Such an institution would be a credit to our city. It would help to make us an educational center and would bring a desirable class of citizens to our city. Students would come here and live among us and thus help to build up our “business enterprises. It would give our city a wholesome advertisement that no other state institution could give. Every citizen of Bemidji, and every resident in this entire section of the state, would be benefitted by the location of a normal school here, and all should lend their aid in securing it.

A. P. RITCHIE.

[The above communication sets forth excellent reasons for the establishment of a state normal school in Bemidji, The consideration of this matter is timely, and the Pioneer invites discussion in its columns. We will gladly publish any communication on this subject which is not too lengthy to be easily handled. —EDITOR]