Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-10-27
Educational. Our Universities and the Agri-
cultural College.

Educational Our Universities and the Agri-
cultural College.
IA interesting public discussion was had in
tbc Hal of she House o. Representatives Thurs
day eyonns, respecting the -dyia.liiy and
feasibility Of uniting the literary iusl.utIons Of
this STATE, VIZ the uoiversty of Vermont,
Middlebury Collegsand Norwich Unyeriy-in
one Institution, "a connection with .ao Agricul-
turai Collge recently 81 owed 81 h- General
Government rhi. subject was prominently set
forth by Governor SMITH in his annual message
on has engp red the very earnest attention Of
D. friends 81. education throughout. the State
IT. Board OF Education, in connection with
the Committees Oh Education OF the House and
Sena.e have .0r sJme days been discussing the
eueston-0r rather have been hearing sugges-
hons winch haye been addressed TO them by
prominent gentlemen connected with, aul int.r-
ested in the institutions already existing, and
anxious also to secure good Foundation for the
Agricultural College which the STATE Is already
pledged to establish. Governor SMITH, on Thurs
day afternoon, presented his views before the
Board and these Committees similar TO those
expressed in he message and az these meetings
b. The Committee room, there has been tree
an frank interchange Of opinions reilti'e to
O. best course % pursue.
The meeting 10 Representatives Iiall was
rnainly TO give AZ opportunity for those gentle
nleu Immediately interested in this question OF
omtiug the Colleges, 10 express their VIEWS more
publicly than could be done in the Committee
room Mr. Dorr, tire Representative from Rut-
land, presided President Bourne Of Norwich
University, Torey OF the University OF Yer
mont, Labaree of Mildlebury college, aud Mr.,
Adams, Secretary of the Board Of Edoeatiou-
were The principal speakers. Presidents Torrey
and Labaree were decided IN then opinion that
The Agricultural College could not be united
with colleges like the one at Burlington and
Middle0ury, or as the latter would be il com
bined, and be a success Such a nni0n would
prove, in their Judgment, prejudiclal to the
efficiency Of both the higher colleges as well as
the Agricultural Il would drive away from
the State to other colleges very many young
men who seek the higher classical and scientific
culture and who would prefer college where
this higher scholarship was distinctive feature
President Bourne argued that union of all
the institutions IN the State, with the proposed
college, was practicable and desirable.
Secretary Adams very warmly urged the
necessity Of a union, embracing his views sue
emily in the following resolutions
Resolred lst That junction Of the existing
collegiate institutions OF the State would di.
rectly and powerfully promote the educational
welfare of the Commonwealth.
Resolved, ID That the probable establishment
s of new state college under the provisions Of
B the recent Act OF Congress Tor the establish
ment OF agriculture colleges furnishes legir-
mate opportunity Tor an effort to combine tt
strength OF existing colleges with that OF the
new state college auo others, forming one STATE
university that shall coucenter upon itself thu
educational interest and power Of cur whol
people.
The discussion was exceedingly interesting
1t was obvious, however, nom the opinion
expressed by Presidents Laharee and Torrey
that the trustees o their institutions were no
at present convinced of the wisdom oil, or pre-
Il pared to assent to, the aunlhlleton OF thei
colleges, by uniting them with the agrleul tura
college and IN their judgment such unio
would practically desttoy these colleges, Us in
situations of o nigh scientific and classical eOl
turo. 40 an agreement ON tho part Q
these Institutions TO the proposed union is th
first step to be taken, the question seems n
nearer solution than before. And, mat
much as it is certain that the agricultural col
lege will be established by the STATE, 50 as
make sure Of the national endowment, the maj
ter appears now to be where President Tore