Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-09
NHlR lPRMSS
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS AppOIN.
TED TO VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF

TED TO VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF
VERMONT.
Inc Commissioners appointed by the Governor I,
aa ' , .nc University Of Vernon, fol the year 1872
oeg leave to report as follows, VIZ.
Ihat we hope we have not misunderstood the pur.
pose OF our appointment, as set forth in the res blu
aon OF instructions passed by the Legislature And
II 1t shall appear that we spea, with decision and
eatnestness II is because we feel that we cannot, dis.
eharse our duties under orr instructions without So
ootug ana to !ha, we appeal for our justification.
we are required to give special attention to the oh
ects set forth in the memorial of the CORPORATION of
!ne University and report our views in relation to
.neT.. we Know not how to do this better than, in
we mrs! pase TO- call yeur attention TO the frank and.
energetic exhibition of those objects in the memorial
tsef, which is as follows:
u, Tine undersigned appointed by tho corporation of
ine University Of Vermont for that purpose beg
leave to present the following
MEMOK RIAL
the corporation regard themselves as charged
WIN the care OF the University not for their in.
Ierest nor that OF the Professors and Teachers
i9r the interest of any particular class or portion of
rnc state but for the benefit of the whole state
i Lhey regard the University as it was intended it
should be by the first constitution of the state as one
OF the public interests of the whole monwca,h !;
ana no, the creature Of any party less than the whole
lhey do not wish this interest to be abandoned by
labor Tor It without reward, public interest, in
whlch they are concerned in common with all their
fellow citizens, but only as Others are. But being
enafgea VIII, the care Of IT, and being held RESPONSE
pie BON IN law and conscience, to take Of
fghtiuy, they cannot but present IN ,msclves before
you, and ask that the people he not despocd Of this
interest by the neglect OF the Lepsli ture de nu
ed OF the benefits they expect from this, by It's
mlssncss
Asa corporation we have formed plans for its USE
inness and without intending to arroea,e superior.
Ky 10 ourselves we are ready 10 justify tn I'm all
suitable occasions. We have expended MONEY! and
that with as much wsdo as reasonable man coild
expect, we have sought 10 increase the fixed prop
erty OF the Institution, and have done il; we
have sought to enlsrgc its mcsns Of influence by in
creasng us libraries and the apparatus, of knowledge;
and we have done H. We have sought 10 give reas-
onably exact aud tho,ou IN instruction :; and We
have done It, We have sought 10 obtain grounds
round about the University buildings for
their convenience; fol-. their beauty snd for
@ nrd we s,yf SSns i Tsfs
accurate investigation, and prompt and efficient ac
ton. This we have not sh,nnk from. We have de-
tcrnned TO make the University, as far "a our means
could allow, what every rIch-innded and every
clear headed man expected it should be--a place
where should be found all the healthfu influences Of
sound learning.
To aid us in the care Of this great state interest,
We have asked the assistance of the Legislature but
no assistance has been granted From the day in
winch certain lands were set apart for the University,
winch at mat time were worth nothing to tor any
ono elsa to the present hour, a single dollar has
been gwen TO 1t by the Legislature. so far as lie ,isa
tive AID and coun,enance are concerned this interest
OF the people has been disregarded. When war has
broken II up, when FIRE has consumed its pleasant
places, when penu!y and have withered its in
fluencc and DESTROYED its property, il has come in
sadness and knocked at your door, only to he told
BE ye warned, and be We filled. but depart" When
adversely seemed TO be weary of affecting it, ard
temporary prosperity had crowned it's selfdenial it
has come with sunshine IN lis iace and asked for the
emlcs OF a welcoming parent, only to be turned
away IN silence, and perhaps contempt
Commissioners have been appointed by the exec,i-
tive oil Use state who have visited u.s. and, after thor
ough examination, have reported our condition and
our wants aud urged them upon the attention Of the
Legislature, but without effect ST Il. although fire.
qn'nt'y unsuccessful we cannot doubt that the time
will come when this great interest will be wisely
tended 10 by those who have in charge the system of
eiuca lion for the state
The corporation Of n, literary institution is organ
lied Ike that OF bank or manufacturing company
to accumulate wealth, or TO make money If It's an
Hll income meets its expenditures is all thai il
intended II should do. II these literary institutions
are to be enlarge! corresponding to the growing
wants Of he com immunity, they rnnst be aided from
abroa!. II IS impossible it should be otherwise
less they parvert their charter, and abandon the OBJ
ject of their creation. As citizens we demand thar
the University should be faithful to III; purpos, for
which i was created, and as corporation we will
not sllIe lis funds 10 be perverted the trade of
spccu alton. We have then only TO insist, rs aiti-
zens and as men, that il shall go t, accomplish
ne, me Objects for whGa i. was m,de And in DOING
knows that /, must II is SO implied in its charter,
It - implied and was understood by those who
spoke Of 1t in the original constitution of the state,
nnd by those who adopted that constitution as the
deliberate and solemn expression of their will and it
Is so IMPLIED IN the very nature of the institution it.
SELF. We ask, then, not merely as corporators, hui
as citizens speaking TO those, who hold their seats
and their Offices only because they represent our feel
ngs and those ofour citizens ike onr selves that the
wa'~s OF the University be examined into. And that
they be examined ino no, for the purpose OF satisfy
ing uneasy complaints, hut for the purpose of an
homes, and adequate supply of the wants if found to
exist We lave neve- f IN our cilizsns caner,lly
unwilling, any more than ourselves TO aid from their
own earnings the highest interests of learning and
If asked Individually and alone, we doubt not the
members of the Honorable Legislature would be found
Just rePresen aves in their feelings of the general de-
size 20 aid in promoting the highest interests Of learn
ing We only desire that there may be honesty and
fflnncss enough 10 express these feelings in public
acts.
We are now without the means neccssaryto COM
P!eIr the site OF the University. We ore without
m.ans 10 supply the requisite instruction which orr
various departments demand and we are without
means TO organize such new the wants Of the
people OF the state require We have not sqnandered
our funds nor abused trust nor neglected pro-
vide suitable instruction proved unfahful 10 our
ties Il we hlya refuse not 10 he censured We,
therefore respectfully ask the Legislature appro-
pirate for the usa Of the University from the Lerar
Flnd from the anticipated revenue from the pnblic
national lands, or from our State Treasury, h
sans as may adequately supply us wants and as in
duty bound, will ever pray.
S!.nsc. JOHN WHEELER,