Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-03-14

tempated branches Of the university q
Without these, where shall we find young
men prepared to enter upon the classic
course of the parent institution 1t is in
deed of the first importance 10 the great in
terests of education, in our own state. that
these branches be well appointed and vigo.
rously sustained. For the purpose of sup
porting the department designed for the edu.
cation of teachers, it is suggested whether
a small amount might not be appropriated
TO this object from the income of the school
fund. As the sole object OF the depart
ment is the ultimate supply of the district
schools with competent teachers, it is pre-
sumed no constitutional objection can be
successfully urged against such an appro-
priaiion. What method so elfectual, for the
support or schools throughout the state, as
furnishing them with able teachers The
proposed branches occupy the middle
ground, being connected, on the one hand,
with the primary schools, by the establish
ment of department. in each for the edu-
cation of teachers and on the other, with
the university itself, by the establishment in
each of them of preparatory course, and
being thus equally designed for the benefit
Of both the university and district schools, it
seems no more than right and just that they
should be supported from the fund Of each.
1t is proposed, therefore, to appropriate ten
per centum Of the income Of the school fluid
to this object. The school fund is deemed
to be sufficient to bear its due proportion in
sustaining these institutions.
But for the purpose of relieving the uni
versity fund from this charge, while the
buildings and other accommodations Of the
institution are in progress of erection and
procurement, and to enable it to go into ope-
ration as soon as may be, it is respectfully
suggested to the consideration Of the legis-
lature, whether it would not be consistent
with sound policy, and the public good there
by promoted, TO devote, for limited num-
Der of years, such portion of the income,
which may arise from the lands given 10 the
state in connection with the salt spring Sec
lions, as will sustain the branches independ-
emil of that fund. The income Of this
fund, as already minated, is certainly in
adequate to the accomplishment Of both OBJ.
lects,the erection and successful commence
ment of the university, and the establish.
ment and support of its branches,at the same
time. If the parent institution was in sue.
cessful operation, its buildings, library, phi.
losophical and clinical apparatus, and cab-
net of natural history, all secured, the
branches fully established, the land sold, the
money invested, and the interest of the
whole yearly available, the fund might be
sufficient to carry forward the university
and its branches with success. To push
onward these important objects, with all de-
sirable despatch, it is proposed to appro-
pirate the income of the salt spring sections,
for limited period, TO the support of the
branches. This, with the proposed per-
centage Of the income of the school fund,
will enable the proper authority to establish
and maintain such number of branches as
the public interests may seem to require
and at the same time, enable this authority
TO put the university itself into successful
operation within a reasonable period. But
il Is perfectly obvious, that without some ar
rangement Of the kind, one or the other of
these great and alI.mpor,ant public objects,
must be delayed for some time to COME
Such delay, it is conceived, would defeat
the wishes and disappoint the expectations
of large majority Of our people, and is
to be avoided if within the compass Of pos.
sibity.
School Fund.
This fund consists chiefly of lands re-
served from sale, and given by an ordinance
of Congress 10 the state, for the support Of
schools. Before the sale ofthese lands com.
menced, they amounted in all to 1,l4S.l60
acres. In this estimate, are included all
the school lands, lying within the present
boundaries of the state. OF this amount,