Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-02-07

Mr., Farrar SAID, that the ,iund had been
SET apart for specified purpose, and they
should not divert the fund form its proper
end. The location had been made impair.
tally, and men Of distinguished talents
and extensive information had been Sc
ecled as trustees; an now, that all things
were ready 10 carry the university into
IoPpertion, they were told that The fund
shall be partilioned out. The gentleman
from Claiborne did not want college; the
gentleman from Wilkinson wanted four
colleges. 1t was but a few years ago
that they appropriated two hundred thou
sand dollars TO this institution, and they
were now going TO repeal the charter.
Mr.. Maxey said, ii appeared to him ex-
traordinary that attacks should be made
on the university OF the state. That uni.
versity was the foster child Of the state
and were they now going 10 throttle it?
He had been opposed to the location oil the
university, but would be The last man 10
make an attack upon It now, because it
was in the northern part Of tho state. lie
hoped that this institution would be the
alma matter of thousands oil unborn souls
If this fund were divided, there would
be great scramble among the different
religious denominations as 10 which should
get 1t.
Mr.. Alcorn was opposed to any institu
ton which was foStereG by the govern
ment.-The tendencies ofsuch institutions
were 10 promote the interest Of that class
OF citizens which did not require the fos.
tering hand Of the community. Ii they
wished to disseminate knowledge, the plan
was 10 bring education 10 the poor who
were not able to educate their children
This university would never benefit thai
class OF citizens who should be looked tc
by the legislature. He was in favor o
repeating the charter, and letting the
question go before the people Of Mississippi
Mr.. Fontaine said, that to oppose The
sill at this stage ofthe proceedings, seem
ed 10 him one of the most extraordinary
lea,s even Of the Mississippi legislature
1t was known that the failure Of the lie
gislature 10 give direction to this fund &c
cording to the act OF Congess already ha
resulted in loss Of one halt Of it; and ye
gentlemen, with these facts before them
we're disposed TO tamper with the matter
1t was only by Tho concentration OF th'
fund tina, any good could be done with it
Universities were not intended 10 Civ,
elementary education, but to give the fin
ishng touch 10 education. Congress dit
not intend The fund for the erection o
primary schools. The advocates Of III,
university were not opposed to the dlssem
nation Of primary educatlo in the coun
try.
The debate was further continued b!
Messrs. Smith, Smylie, Emanuel and TOT
ten, when, on motion Of MIR. Wade, tn
committee rose and reported progress.
Mr.. Simrall offered resolution, tina
the bill he referred to the committee oil
Education, with instructions 10 inquire in
to the ex pedlency Of dividing the state in
10 four districts, and of distributing TIL
fund among them; and also, Of memorial
ising congress on The subject; which wa
laid on the table. The yeas and nay
were called on the motion 10 recommlt
and the motion was lost; yeas 80. nays As
The bill was amended by striking out tn
word Explanatory" and inserting tn
word supplementary" and passed.