James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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)t Creation of J arrisfonburg; Jgormal cijool ]( )LLOWING the adoption of the Constitution of 1901-02, in the session of the General Assembly known as the Long Parlia- ment, a l)ill was introduced by Honorable J. T. West, of Louisa county, establishing a Xorthside Normal School for Women at some suitable location north of James river — this site to be chosen later. In the end, after thorough consideration, the conclusion was reached that no one school could be so located as to reach the demands and wishes of all the people. The final decision was that there should he three such institutions ; and Radford, Harrisonburg, and Fredericksburg received the vote as the proper loca- tions, it being understood that any one of these schools established should be with reference to the founding of the other two later on. But it had been by a hard battle that Harrisonburg won out as a site chosen. It is this that I would speak of now. I was the senator from the ' alley on the commission to investigate locations. In this instance I had departed from what had in the past been my uniform prac- tice — which was not to seek appointment on specific committees or. either in per- son or through friends, to suggest to the appointing power that I should like to have such position. Now I went directly to Lieutenant-Governor ' illard, who had the appointing of the Senate membership, and told him frankly that I desired to be on this committee. The commission made its investigation and reported its findings to the next session of the General Assembly. This report was referred to the proper com- mittees of the two bodies, and was considered and discussed at the regular 1904 session, but without any affirmative action — this not being a pr(i[)itii)ris time be- cause of the state ' s deplorable financial condition. Two vears later, innnediately upon the convening of the legislature. I intro- dticed a bill for establishing a Normal and Industrial School for Women and locating it at Harrisonburg. After being reported from the Committee of I ' ublic Institutions and Education, it was referred to the Committee on Finance, where an appropriation of $75,000 was recommended. ( This was later reduced to $50,000, Fredericksburg receiving the other $25,000.) The Harrisonburg bill tlien took its place on the Senate calendar. Many other localities were still in sharp comi)etition. It w;is not possible that any one site could secure the necessary twenty-one voles while the various competing points were still in the contest. The Senate, in the meantime, was thoroughly canvassed, and more than twenty-one senators promised that, if their ])laces should be x-oted onl. ihev would sU])port Harrisonburg. ( )ne by one these

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I I (IMItMIt IT • ■ ' ' ' • ' ' ' • ' ' ' ' ' ■ ■ ' ■ ' ■ ' ■ ' I ' l ' iVi ' ij ' t ' i ' i ' i ' ii Prapcr Sr.PTKMIiKK 22. 1 ' ' 21 .MKilirV lAlllICR. x- stand today at the lni, ' inniiig of anotluT year — another year of ilTort. of opportunity. To thee we call for blessing. Thou art the Great Beginning of all gKod — of all life and light and work. We in- ()ke thy favor and thy wisdom. Thou iiast hieii mir lul|) in days past that we have known, and in ages past that we have not known. Our fathers and our mothers from many generations have found hope and courage before thv throne. Trusting thee, they have fovuid strength for the great tests of life; and in thy service they have developed patience for the small tasks that Tiiust be done. .-Ml nations have acknowledged thee, and man has ever done his noblest work in fol- lowing thy laws. Be our help today, O Cod I Fix our souls upon thy gracious promises. We rejoice in the image in which thou bast created us. We are not .satisfied unless we approach more closely unto thee. We are oppressed with a sense of failure unless we are emulating thy example. Help us to give form and organization to things that are now waste and empty. Help us to quicken upward move- ments and to initiate right action. Help us to see the light and to cause it to shine in dark places. Help us to enrich the life that thou has planted in us. to the end that thy name may be glorilied in all the children of men. Thou hast given us dominion upon the earth — help us to sub- due the evil and the ugly ; help us to establish the just and the beautiful; that thy kingdom may come and thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. For Jesus Christ ' s sake. .Amex.

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other sites — proposed merely in ainenclments — were voted out, and tlie bill passed the Senalo. with llarrisonhiirg as tiie location. It was then brought before the House, but refused a hearing. 1 next asked permission of the I ' inance (. onunittec to write this bill into, and as a part of, the general a| pro])riation bill. This reipicst was kindly granted. ' Ihc Senate ap- proved. Tims the i|uestion of the Xornial ScIumi! ;u i larrisimhurg went to the Hou.se as a part of the general api)roi)riali(in bill, where il would have to be acted upon in some way. In this shape the bill became a law. This is. briefly, the history of the legislative action by which the .school was established. I ' rom the passing of the act creating the commission to investigate localities and make reports, until the linal action hy wiiich the school was estab- lished, every move was the result of careful ihougln and ])lanning, and the struggle was unremitting. Throughout it all. however, most enthusiastic and substantial aid was e.xlendeil by jniblic officials and citizens of Harrisonburg and Rocking- ham County. — George B. Keezell ■W- ' , -r .