The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-02-08
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

great interest to the people of the State
mot only to the present generation,
but to those that follow US. In locating
this institution, the members should not on
~ have the present but the future advan-
tages and necessities of the people of the
State.in view: A bill passed last winter To-
eating the University at the village of Man
haitian. The only argument used by the
friends of the bill was that building had
been erected by some capitalists, of Boston.
for College, who-6nding that Kansas was
rather too young community for first
class College to flourish. and also discover
ing the fact that a college edi6ce alone
could not build up the city of Manhattan
had offered this building to the State with
few acres of ground, if the Legislature
would locate the Stats University there.
They have the building and have conclu-
ded that it would be better to give it away
than have it tumble down. What gener-
Gus souls they are! 1t would indeed be a
good speculation for those interested in that
goodly town. But We appreheud the mem
bers of The Legislature will consult the in
terests of the people of the whole State, be-
fore they vote on SO important matter.
The Constitution provides that "the Uni
versity shall be located at some eligible and
central point" The members should be
particular to find out where that central anG
eligible point is. If they will take their
maps and look sharp. they will find that the
town of Emporia is within six or eight
miles of the center of Kansas, north and
south, and within very few miles of the
center OF the habitable portion of the State,
east and west. By an examination of their
maps, they will find that Manhattan is be-
tween seventyGye and a hundred miles
distant from the center of the State. Is it
an 'eligible and central point ?" So far as
the eligibility of the two points is concern
ed, we claim that Manhattan has no advan-
tages over Empor;a, except the building
above alluded to. Will members Re infiu
enced by that naked argument altogether :?
We hope not. d
There is another phase of this question,
which we wish to present. If our State
institutions are to be distributed over the
State at all, should that distribution not be
equitable. and with a view to accommodate
the people? The Neosho valley is second
only to the Kaw in extent, importance, pop
ulation and wealth. The Kaw valley has
the Capital. Leavenworth has the Peniten-
.iary; and should not the great Neosho
valley have the State University Her
people certainly deserve it. The State
should not lavish all its gifts on the Kaw
valley. We enter our protest against such
policy. There are several Of these State
institutions, and they should be distributed
with view to strengthen and build up the
whole State. The people Of the State have
just decided that the Capital shall be at To-
peka. Leavenworth has the Penisentiary.
The valley of the Msrais des Cygnes should
have one of our public institutions, the
Smoky Hill another, and the Neosho, be-
ing second IN extent, should have the Uni
versity, the institution of her choice.
We have enterprise. and thousands of
acres, and can make big offer for the loca-
ton of the University. if the matter is to be
decided by such arguments. But we
base our claims on justice, and believe the
members will decide the matter on this
ground. and not be unduly Influenced by
tho Monhattan hill
One of the great arguments used for To-
peka. in the location of the Capital, was
that if it was located at that point it would
not have to be moved in few years. This
argument will hold good in the location of
the University. If it is located on our ex-
treme western border, will it not have to
be removed in few years, to accommodate
the central portion of The State 1t certainly
will.
Emporia is the great central point of the
Upper Neosho country. She las mail
routes diverging in every direction, and is
accessible from all parts of the State by
stages and other means of conveyance. She
will be, in few months. connected with
Leavenworth, Lawrence, and intermediate
counties, by daily stage and mail route,
aud with the Capital by tri-weekly route.
She has tri-weekly mail traversing the
whole extent of her fertile valley, and week.
ly communication diveIging in every d.
rection.
We ask our Senators and Representatives
to look at these matters, before they cast