The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-02-11
For the Republican.
The State Agricultural College a Success.


Ma EDIroR:-I have been Observant for some
time past, OF the efforts made through the De
trOit papers. to prejudice the public mind a
ganst the State Agricultural College as an inde-
pendent institution, and cause its removal to
Ann Arbor, as a department Of the University
| have scanned these efforts closely, and have
come 10 the conclusion that they have orgna-
Ted in awakened capidity, or disappointed am
o,on
The Legis Atutc Of 1850, passed an act, 90
! 50 OF that session. Organizing the State Agii
cultural College, and requiring the Executive
Committee of the State Agricultural Society to
locate it within ten miles of the city of Lansing.
For several years previous to this, and also du-
ring the session of 1855, the subject of en- Agri-
cultural College had been largely discussed be.
fore tie people The conclusion had been
reached. that such an Institution, in accordance
~ith the provisions Of the Constitution, (Sec II
A.. 49, was requisite. The only question r..
naming hains ~h~.h.- .ho Cen~s. eLo~id con
stitute a department of the University, where
Agriculture as a science should be taught; OF
DC an independent Institution, combining labor
sith science; in the practical demonstration, on
the farm, of the theories taught in the School
The voice of the people and the wisdom OF the
Legislature decided 10 favor Of the latter propo
si'ion. In the mean time buildings, costing
large amount Of money, consisting Of a College
building, fifty BY one hundred feet, aud three
stories above the basemens-a boarding hall Of
nearly the same dimensions-a horse barn. and
four Professors houses OF different dimens on:
and architectural finish, have been erected. Al
these buildings are Of brick, and Of the best ma
ter'al. sud, at present in a good state Of preser
vaton Besides these, the present Board o.
Control have built substantial bridge, on wei
driven piles, across Cedar River, at cost o
$3.50; ami have erected good farm barn, 4.
by "a feet. placed upon a substantial stone base
ment, for staoling cattle
Beside these. improvements upon the tara
and in the garden have steadily progressed
chiefly by the fundamentally Of students labor
until the cultivated portions Of the farm nov
amount to some 25O acres Of land.
The school has been in opeaation since Ma
S57, and with more uniform success than coul,
have been reasonably expected, under the cir
cumstances OF lis commencement. Twelve grad
yates, having completed the four years cours,
prescribed by law, obtained the degree OF Bach
eior Of Science, at the close of the last schoo
year; two Of whom with so much credit TO them
selves that they now occupy honorable positions
as teachers in departments OF the College. Tax
ing all these things into account. what NOR,
could have been reasonably expected of an in
siitution just entering upon a new aud untriec
field? Aud yet We are told, by crOskers anc
sore heads, that the College ia failure Is il
not, rather. under all the circumstances of the
case. a decided success?
80 too, was the cry Of failure raised against
the University, during the days of its struggles
and endorsements from 1912 TO 1881.
Let Us compare the two The number Of Stu.
dents in the University in 1912. was %. In
lS4S it was IS; in 1874 ffly-tiss and as late
as 1850, after eight years Of its existence. the
number OF Students was but serenity tleo.
The State Agricultural College, under all the
difficulties aud discouragements it has had 10
coutend Win, on accoau, Of its location Cd an
unimProved farm, aud continued warfare upon
II as an independent institution, bas not ranged
so low a. this
But the time for the prosperity Of the Univer
sity at length came. A productive endormen,
vas reached, and the right man found TO guide
its desiinies
And so too, 81 length, will the difficulties sur
rounding the State Agricultural College hitbe-.
to. be slrmounted The proceeds of the nu
nihcent Congressional endo Enent viii De reached
aud this noble State institution, being taus placed
above the necessities Of legislative appropria-
'ions for its support. viii more than realize the
Just expectations Of il friends, and be a. efFsc
tually enthroned in the hearts Of the people. 50
are now the State Normal School and the Mich.
gan State University. OE.D.
szs-As the February term c. the Circai,
court IN Monroe county, Judge " ilson presiding
cOulterfeirar narad Uor- c.-f.1 O..