New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-07-08

We never objected to the.designation OF Socialist
when it was a term of reproach and opproorium'
and We adhere TO the convictions under which we
earnestly fought the battle of absolutely Free
Common Schools for all the children OF our o1ate'
We assent, with some scrupes, to the polcy Oh
State Normal Schools for the education OF Common
School Teachers, whose qualifi cations are too
generally meager and questionable. There, how
ever, we stop. Free Academies and State UNI
versities for the supply of gratutous classic or
scientific education to all who see tit (and are
able to claim their advantages are at war win our
idea of the legitimate functions of Government
a1d with that equality which should prevail In the
distribution and enjoy ment of those blessings. LII
our city is to be turned into great Communist
estabhsbment-for which we consider its popula-
ton very i'll prepared-et US begin with the salts
faction of their most urgent and absolute wants
before we attempt the satisfaction of those OF a
mere ethereal character. Let us first guarantee
to every needy man employment and honest bread
before we undertake to glut his intellectual
cravings On Greek Tragedies, Hebrew Roots aud
Comic Sections. In city where many thousands
of children go to bed supperless three months 10
the year because their parents have no work and
no money, it seems mockery and an insult to talk
of welcoming all our children to the advantages OF
a University Education.
Mayer Wood yesterday sent to the Common
COuI Gil message recommending great Free
University TO be established ADD maintained at the
cost of our already Oyertaxed city. We dissent
entirely from this recommendation. Such an In
stituton ON any such scale as is vaguely Swallowed
forth BY the Mayor would add not less than One
Million Dollars per annuE to our citys public bur
deps including the interest on the cost OF buildings
and grounds. Even then, not one tenth OF our
youth would ever share its adv antages, while oil
must stagger under its cost. Such scheme is es-
sentialy unjust, and we do not believe it will be
deliberately sanctioned by the taxpayers.
When Mr.. Cooper's noble Institute shall be
ready for use we hope to see its great Hall filled
six evenings in each week, from October to April,
with our young mechanics and laborers, listening
to the best expeditions of the Natural Sciences,
Mechanical Laws and Adaptations, Public Econ
omy, History, Ethics, Metaphys ics, and eu,lda-
tions of every department of Useful Knowledge.
We uOpc Inc ChdIbc ioi sncoC icSeoAco WIZ w ShN
cents for each auditor, half to be paid as compeasa
ton to the lecturer, and the residue applied to
deray the expenses Of lighting, heating, advertls-
ing, &c. We believe that same Institute, if kept
free from Government control and political infu-
ence, can be rendered far more useful in the edu-
cation of our people, without adding one cent TO
our ta1er, than Mayor Woods University, though
established and maintained at cost of Million
per annum.
We have as little faith in the ability as the prac
ticabity of attracting hither throngs of strangers
by such means as the establishment Ofthe proposed
University. Fine Art Galleries pleasant, spacious
Parks, and hundred other embellishments Of like
nature will prove far more conducive to this end.
A Free Refractory of adequate pretensons would
attract far more than Free University. But it
can hardly be necessary to say more in reprehen.
sion of the Mayors project.