The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-09

were many Inconsistent and lmpr clcable provIs
ions in reference to fnarciil matters.
Then again it was provided that the colleges
must unite before the oh of August rext. If
they did not choose 10 do this then they could
not uui;e at all. This was all wrong. This was
tot the way to persuade the colleges 20 unlon
1t was beginning at the wrong end, to prescribe
that they must unite in Just such way, and have
no choice upon the subject. 1t would be better
for the colleges to consult and negotiate, and find
how they could unite, and then enact something
that would be of some use and would have ba-
sis This way of telling the colleges to come and
join The University if they saw ft and if not to
let it alone WIS not at all calculated to s'curs the
object in view. 1t was in every view that could
be taken of it the wrong way to so to work.
There was still another objection to the bill.
1t was proposed to unite an Agricultural College
with other colleges. ltwaS still an open question
whether this is the best way. There had been
many experiments tried, and it did not appear
that 1t was certainly the est plan to engratt an
agricultural department upon the other insttu-
tions. 1t was unwise to fix and settle this ques-
ton beyond any possibility of recall after the 9th
| of August. | would not be best to settle this
matter until the choice of the people was known.
They might choose some other plan than the one
|
With re erence to the danger of losing the
land scrip, which had been granted by act Of Con-
gress to found an Agricultural College, by delay,
he woul say that he could not see any ground
for the assertion which had been made. He saw
no reason to suppose there would be any loss by
such delay. He believed the bill would defeat
the object it had professedy in view.
Mr.. Wright of Cornwall thought if the people
of the State actually desired the consolidation of
the colleges, the remarks of he gentleman from
Mlddlebury, would come home to them with Pc
cuIiar force There were provisions in the bill that
would defeat this object which so desirable.
1t was not the way,to put the whip and spur into
| the bill and tell the colleges unless they come
up to time they must suffer for it. This was not
the way to treat them There were many in
| the State who felt deep interest in this matter.
1t was not alone the wealthy, but the poor, the
laborer, the Plough boy, felt an interest in this
question. They onght to have an opportunity
to express their opinions upon this subject before
they acted upon it.
Mr.. Smith Of Ilardwick did not perceive that
the bill VAS of threatening character. 1t did
not as he understood it, shut the door against all
union unless it should be accomplished before
August next. This was not the idea of the bill.
Ii allowed and encouraged the colleges to oin in
an enterprise if they chose to do SO. Ii there
we're objections in the provisions Of the bill, they
might be remedied by am ndment. He was in
favor of fixing some definite plan by which these
institute Us could be united. 1t would be Of
great benefit to Vermont to effect this union.
Mr. King of Benson, moved 10 dismiss the
bill.
Mr.. Daniels OF Grafton, agreed with what had
already been sald against the bill He would al
so say that there might be a question about the
land scrip. The valus OF the land would depend
upon its location. 1t might be worthless. lie
having had experience in locating lands would
say, that be would not accept the grant as gift,
if, as he supposed, the lands were to be located
in body, and the taxes on them must be paid.
Mr.. Chandler of w oodstock, was glad to hear
that the gentleman from Middlebury was not an
advocate of particular institution. 1t was a re-.
lief to learn that such was the case.
With reference to the arguments that had been
urged against the bill he could not see their force.
1t had been said that it was not best to hasten so
much the adoption of this measure. 1t had been
represented that it was forestalling public opinion
to pass the bill at this time The facts, however.
were that for the last two years this had been a
suoject OF general interest and debate. 1t had
not only been generally read CT and talked about
since the act of Congress granting the lands to
found an Agricultural College, but there had been
special time appointed for public discussion, and
the corporations and faculties of the colleges had
been fully represented 10 meetings for comforting
upon the subject, and had been present, and some
OF them had taken part in the discussion of the
subject 10 the Representatives Hall. There was
no ground for the assertion or the assumption
that the public mind was not informed, or the
general desire known, 10 regard to the measure
contemplated in the bill.
With reference to he matter OF Locating lands,
there was not the difficulty or uncertainty that
had been represented by the gentleman from
Grafton OAnles). The plan for locating them
advantage ouSly was pain enough, by acting
through the appro pirate agents He had personal
knowledge OF the matter and knew what he af-
frmed in regard to this matter.
The objection to uniting an Agricultural Col
lege with other institutions was not we'll founded.
Vermont would be behind other States and behind
the age, II she neglected the opportunity to found
an Agricultural College such as the times de-
manded. The Legislature would be recreant to
their trust and pusIlanimous il they failed now
t. care for and secure by proper measures the
fund now offered to them. There was need of an
lnstltu ion 10 train I've for an activ- business
No" that fund was offered for this purpose it
should not be lost. II it was not more than
eighty thousand dollars it was worth having, and
worth saving.
The argument about locating land ETC., by
winch 1t was made to appear that the grant was
worthless, was without good foundation. The
Sr nj provided that the scrip might be sold and