The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-11-29
state Aeric ultural College.

By perusal Of the very able report of the Su-
perintendent Of Public Instruction to the Board
of Education, it will be found tina, new line OF
policy is about to be adopted in the internal
management Of the Agricultural College. The
plan now suggested by the Superintendent, has
the cooperation Of the State Board Of Education,
As appears by resolution to that effect; ard
the members of the Faculty, severally, have
rendered their designations, with view to allow
such changes in tina, behalf to be made as the
Board Of Education may deem tit.
1t is 10 purpose Of our own to canvass the
merits of the plan proposed, although we think
il cannot but be an improvement upon the pres
ent The officer who digested that plan, has
the confidence of the people of the State in
his department, and especially in a wide and
minute practical educational experience. With
these aids, he has observed the degree OF ad-
vancsment made by the Institution toward the
purposes for which it was founded, and has come
to the conclusions stated in his report.
There has been marked falling off in num-
bers during the academcal term just now closing,
which NAV have had its influence in guiding the
Superintendent to his conclusions but whether
50 or not, We are unable to state. II not msin-
formed, the summer term had in all more
than one hundred students, and closed with
about ffty-a significant fact, not unlikely to
have had its effect upon the raind of the Super
ntendent, and the action Of the Board Of Edu'
cation.
1t would be unjust to all concerned, and fore
most, 10 the interests Of the State, to excite
public comment in any manner to PREJUDICE the
merits The duty of all citizens is TO aid in
giving this experiment fair chance to accom-
plsh its objects, and to fulfill the purposes of its
foundation. Especially should We await the new
movement, in the changes which il works, Of all
kinds, in the internal administration Of the AT.
fairs of the College; and more especially in that
first test of the worth of all schools, the full con-
dtion of its classes, the respect and confidence
Of its students, their Advancement and the nece,
sary and corresponding satisfaction of parents
and guardians; for let the system, as a mere
theory, be ever satisfactory, let its details be
ever so well carried out, and add to these the
most entire mutual confidence of the Faculty in
each other yet these other tests of utility, good
faith and perseverance, must be present, before
the people Of the State of Michigan, whose
bread these public servants eat, will render to
the College their hearty confidence, and will be
ready, from time to time, as may be needed, to
open the State Treasury for its maintenance 1,
10 believed that the Republican press, and some
OF the less rabid of tho opposition, will stand
ready to allow the State Board of Education an
unparalleled opportunity to remedy such evils
as they have discovered in the system, no less
than in the management of the Institution, and to
make it what it should be, or declare it failure
In respect to the support relied upon by the
Faculty coming from the Locofoco press, it may
not be too much to say to them. that there is a
Glass Of that kind Of support which cannot SUBJ
serve the interests of the State We have no
knowledge or curiosity in respect to the motive,
but remain satisfied with abiding to it.
The Lansing Journal, of Thursday, treating
this subject, gives the following endorsement OF
the Faculty:
"The Faculty and Teachers of the Institute
have done every thing in their power. and AS
well as any set Of men could do, To give chlrac
ter to their department And in this they hav,
not been unsuccessful But they could moi
carry the dead weights"
But qualities this commentator by the follow.
ing reference to the Board of Education, which
if the paper really meant well to the College
would never have been printed:
"Inssmuch as designations have commenced
We would suggest that others resign. The
Board of Education had better resign. They
are undoubtedly very good men. One of them
is very good priest, another is very good
land speculator, and the other is a passabe at
torney in the ordinary run of county business
But not one o. them has any practical ideas or ex
perience in farming. A blacksmith is ~ well quail
flied to make a watch any of these men tC
put farmers institute into successful opera
tion."
The Board OF Education will doubtless couple
these propositions, coming from all old and bitter
enemy to the College, and draw their own con
illusions