An Interview With Gov. Jarvis

This article gives Gov. Thomas Jarvis' thoughts on the selection of a site for the East Carolina Teachers Training School. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.

Citation for this article is: "An Interview With Gov. Jarvis," Daily Reflector, June 7, 1907.

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About Location of Eastern Training School

The delegation from Pitt which appeared before the State Board of Education returned home Thursday night and a reporter asked Governor Jarvis to give us his impression of the day's work before the board and the probable outcome of it. In response to this inquiry Governor Jarvis said:

Eight splendid towns represented by splendid delegations appeared before the State Board of Education. It was a beautiful contest between these towns conducted on a high plain. Among the delegation there were preachers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, bankers, judges, businessmen, farmers and laborers. It is rare that a more splendid set of men ever met in Raleigh in the interest of any cause. There were more men there capable and in every way fit for any position, however high and important. While the different delegations were earnest in the presentation of the claims of their communities, still the best of feelings prevailed and there was manifest among them all a determination to make the school wherever located a great instituion.

To have won out in such a contest as this is a great victory and one which every citizen of the county should be proud of. It is true the State Board of Education has made no decision and will not 'till they visit all the competing towns and inspect the sites offered. Yet, knowing as I do the money offers and the sites offered, I feel absolutely certain that when the board has made its inspection of these sites that Pitt county will get the school by the unanimous voice of the board. I speak of the county because I wish to give proper credit to the county for the great work it has done in this matter. Without the help of the county Greenville would have been overwhelmed by the larger and more populous towns. The work and cooperation of the county brought the school to Pitt and I trust our fellow citizens in every section of the county will rejoice with us in this great victory.

I desire also to mention the fact that it seemed that all the competing towns desired Greenville to have the school if they could not get it. Not only was this true, but it is also true that it seems that every section of this State has a kind feeling for Pitt and that our work is admired and commended everywhere, and that there will be a general approval of he action of the State board in locating the school in Pitt.