The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-13
Agricultural Colleges.

We referred, the other day, TO the bill
which has passed the House, donating land
TO the several States, to aid in the establish
ment Of Agricultural Colleges. We have
since received q copy Of the bill, and have
prepared an abstract Of its provisions. The
bill was introduced on the 10th OF Deem
Der, and was reported upon adversely by the
Committee Of Public Lands, q few days
since. Its object, however, was 50 popular
as to get it through the House by majority
Of five, members voting irrespective Of par.
ties or sections.
Section LIST grants to the several States
G,3i0, 900 acres Of land, for the purpose Of
promoting and encouraging Agricultural
Colleges and schools TOR the mechanic arts.
There f. to be apportioned to each State
quantity Of land equal to twenty thousand
acres for each Senator and Representative
in Congress to which the States are now re-
spcctively entitled.
Section "a provides that these lands,
later being surveyed, shall be apportioned
IN sections or subdivisions Of sctioIi, not
less than one quarter Of section; and
whenever there are public lands in State
worth one dollar and twenty-five cents per
acre, the quantity to which said State shall
be entitled shall be selected from such lands
by this section, the Secretary Of the Int
rior is also directed to issue TO those States
in which there are no public lands Of the
value Of one dollar and twenty-five centsper
acre, land scrip to the amount OF their dis
trbutive shares.
The States, however. TO which this scrip
IL Issued, cannot locate il within the limits
Of any other State or Territory; but their
assgnees may locate it upon any Of the IN
appropriated lands Of the United States sub
Ject to private entry.
Section 81 makes ii condition that the
expenses Of selling the lands thus distributed
shall be paid by the States themselves
Section eth directs that all mones derived
from the sale of the lands donated shall be
invested in stocks Of the United States, or
Of the States or Of some other safe invest
ment. The money 70 invested Is to eonsti-
tu.e perpetual fund, and the interest to be
inviolably appropriated by each STATE which
may take and claim the benefit OF the act, to
the endowment, support and maintenance OF
At least one college where the leading object
shall be, without excluding other scientific
or classical studies. to teach such branches
OF learning az are related to agriculture and
the mechanic arts, in order to promote the
liberal and practical education OF the indus
trial classes in the several pursuits and pro
tessious in life.
The 5th and last section sets forth the
condition on which the grants Of land and
land scrip shall be made TO the States; l.
II any OF the fund provided for in the fourth
section be lost, it ia to be Immediately re
placed 10y the State. ,. No portion Of the
iuud is to be applied TO the purchase, cree
tion, preservation. or repair OF any building
or buildings, 3. States claiming the benefit
of this act shall have college built within
FIVE years, or the grant 10 such State will be
null AMI void. 1. An annual report Of the
operations Of each college must be sent TO all
/ the similar colleges. 10 the Smithsonian In.
s,,ute, and to the Agricultural Burcau.