New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-02-02
The Literature Fund.

The bill reported 10 the Assembly py MI. bur
chard proposing the annual appropriation from our
State funds sscredy pledged to the support Of Pub
lie Education of $4,000 in aid Of the ~ Y. Uniyer-
sity, e. 900 more TO the Medical Faculty thereof
$4,000 TO Geneva College, 900 to Hamilton Col
Iese, &c. &c. demands the earnest consideration Of
the People. Such appropriations should be made,
II made at all. not because the institutions named
are needy or importunaeni not because Legsl',.
tors are Incidentally and urgently solicited for
srstuities from the public chest but becau,e con.
sistent with sound principle and require1 by the
highest good Of the People
II the State is properly required 10 contribute to
the support of Colleges it ~. thatit should
rshtfuy have the power OF determining how many
Colleges shall be established within its borders
at what points how they shall be conducted; and
what shall be the charges for tuition therein. Ii
Colleges may be multiplied indefinitely. as local
ambition or personal aspiration may dictate it is
inevitable that their number will be far too large
and that most of them will be poor Colleges in
more senses than one. Then if the simple fact OF
their poverty 10 to constitute claim ON the State
for gratuites from its funds, we would seem to be
involved in labyrinth OF which the obvious issues
are not very agreeable Subjects Of contemplation.
An eminent living Statesman was for years ca
Illuminated by the charge that he had somewhere
said. Let Government take care ofthe Rich and
the Rich will take care Of the Poor" IL was in
vain that be repeatedly and emphatically contra
dicted the Islander and challenged the production
Of proof which was no, because it could not be
forthcoming the lie was pertinaciously adhered to.
III .t~ L.. l.f.-
day. hssems to US that some of the arguments
urged in behalf Of State aid to Colleges smack OF
the sentiment 80 upiustly attributed to Mr. Web
ster. For instance, il 10 said that these Colleges
educate many poor youth Tor nothipv. or for con.
sideration merely nominal This - doubtless CON-
niendabs. But is this required or secured BY the
acts which confer the State bosan,y7 1.-THE State
il really to be paid in this way, ought not the con.
federation to be specified and insisted ont Ought
not the generosity 10 the students the case 70 sp
pear a. Il really u to DO that of the State rather
than Of the University Should not the act which
- sppropristes the money stpulste how many poor
yoang men shall be educated without charge &c
them N consideration thereof Ought it not far
thsr to sspulate that these benefcisres should be
sslscssd by the State itself SO as 20 render it
ally sure that they are needy and deserving -
Why not allow each County OF Township TO select
ito quota OF ssoenss 70 the nsares, or some other
College IN consideration ct the State aid 10 that
College j. il not clear that the whole business is
xow left entirely at hose ends. and that reform
which shall reach down to and take held Of clearly
desiusd Principles is highly, desirable
The policy and Justice Of extending State aid to
an adequate number of Colleges, chosen with ref.
ersuce to their worth. rather than their wants
and bound TO render the State in the way pre-
scribsd, fair return therefor, We viii not now
consider But with regard to State appropriation
in aid Of Medical Schools, convictions are very
decided The s0psrsristy Of views and sons'e