Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-02-20
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

The report, recently published, of the
joint committee Of the general assembly,
appointed TO visit the State University
gives favorable account of the condition
and prospects Of this Institution, and of the
ability and learning of the various Profess.
ors composing the Board of instruction.
On the subject of the finances of the
University the report states that the means
of the Institution have been well husban.
ded by the Curators; and the difficulties
now surrounding it, have originated in
causes which they could not avoid or con-
troll. If the Bank of the State of Mo. had
continued to declare a dividend of six per
centum per annum, upon the capital stock
belonging to the Seminary Fund, amount
ing to the sum of 100000, the University
would now have been free of debt, and
would have ample means, not only to meet
all its ordinary wants, but also large fund
TO be annually applied to increasing the
library, adding to the already valuable phi
losophical and chemical apparatus, and in
otherwise extending the usefulness of the
institution. Such, however, has not been
the case, and the result is, that the Univer.
sity is at this time very considerable in
debt, without the means to meet its liabili.
ties. The committee, however, are graft
fled in being able to..state, that, in the last
two years, this Indebtedness has been much
reduced. The debt i, is assumed may be
fairly set down at $4,000. To pay the
interest on the debt, and appropriate annual
ly as sinking fund.- sum sufficient to ex-
tinguish the principal in ten years, the COM
mittee recommend to the legislature to loan
to the Curators out of the proceeds of the
sales Of the Congressional grant Of the
100000 acres Of land, the sum of $4,000
at an interest of six per cent. per annum.
The report aludes at length to the necessi.
~ of establishing a school for the instruc.
ton of teachers to be employed in the COM
mon schools Of the State.
"The committee would also call the attention
Of the Legislature TO another subject, although it
does not so much affect the University as it does
the great interests connected with the cause Of
common school education. 1t is known to almost
every one who has given any attention 10 the
subject. that one principal reason why our sys.
tenn of common schools has not been more sue.
cessslul and more generally adopted, and its ad.
vantages more extensively felt and realized
throughout the State, has been the difficulty oil
procuring school.maSterS well qualified
ITO teach the young idea how to shoot"
And it is probable that this severe drawback
upon the advancement of education, will long
continue, unless the State comes forward and
lends her aid in remedying this great defect in
our system. The truth is, the efficiency OF any
plan which may be devised to aid in the educa
ton Of the mind Of the country, must at last de-
pend upon those who are 10 carry it out, to exc
cute it, and keep it in successful operation. And
just so long as any considerable portion Of the
common school teachers throrg hout the State re
main untaught, and halfeducated themselves
just SO long we need not expect any great ant
lasting benefits 10 DO derived from any system
however perfect, which may from time to time be
adopted. To remedy this evil as far as practica
BILE now, it is proposed that the Legislature re
quire Of the Board OF Curators 10 establish an adj
ditional Professorship in connection with the
University, 10 be devoted 10 the 'Iheory ana
Practice of Teaching;;" and that there be made
on annual appropriation for the support OF this
Professorshp out Of the income OF the Common
School Fund Of the Sac, now invested in the
stock OF the Bank Of the State Of Missouri, Il
continue at least until the University is ena
bled 10 discharge its present pecuniary liza
bilities, after which, it is believed that TIT
Curaors, out OF the income Of The Seminar!
Fund, and all other resources, will be fully
able to carry on the Institution, and sustain tn
additional Prolessorship, without the further ait
or assistance OF the State. BY this means, Their
might be kept constantly at the University
sixty.six young men, pursuing course OF study
which would emnently qualify them for teaching
and for active usefulness in after life. Thirty
three, equal to one from each Senatorial Dis
trict, might go out OF the Institution at the exp
ration Of each year, after having been admtte
to all the departments Of instruction, and enjoy
ed all the advantages which the University offers
free OF charge. And having entered its hall
after making solemn pledge, in writing, tina
they would devote certain specified time
teaching, after completing the prescribed cours
OF study, they would return 10 the districts fror
whencsthey came, prepared TO mpart successful
to others, the training in the art OF teaching, an
the knowledge and learning which had been i'm
parted 10 them. In the selection oil youths ic
this important object, regard. of course would a
ways be had to the character and talents oil It
different applicants for admission. BY this mean
tits confidently believed, that many promIslr
boys in the country, who are without mean
might acquire liberal and thorough education
and make themselves afterwards useful 10 Il
4 Il