The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-31

Agricultural College BILL.
The question being on ordering the Agri-
cultural College bill engrossed and to third
reading, Senator VAN WYoK, from Kenosha
county, arose and said:
Mr. PREsIDENT-Before this bill shall pass
to decisive vote | will ask the indulgence
of the Senate while present few words in
its behalf, both as a member of the Commit
tee and as one Of tie representatives on this
floor of the great interest which it proposes
to benefit
1t is unfortunate, Sir, that necessity
should exist for the introduction of meas
ure of such general interest amid the exc
gencies of great war, when considerations
of public economy may possibly lead many
friendly to its Objects to hesitate in its sup
port.
The Importance of immediate action III
order to secure compliance with the terms
of the grant of Congress donating the lands
has seemed to leave to the committee no
other alternative. 1t may also serve as
some sanction to their action to recall that
times Of war have often been periods of great
mental activity, and of progress in art and
science, and institutions like this, establish
ed under similar circumstances, have fire.
quently remained the noblest monuments of
energies and activities which public perils
have first called forth.
1t is true this is a moment in which long
protracted war with its attendant duties
seems to menace us with some of it's usual
financial difficulties, yet it is question
worthy of most careful consideration wheth
er it will be wise for us for that reason to
withhold those efforts by which we may be
best enabled to sustain their pressure. Can
we afford to suspend our exertions in pro-
curing for our State those educational infu
ences which are best designed to aid in de-
veloping its resources and increasing it's pro-
auctions?
Amid the commissions and ''wild uproar''
of war, civil life has still its functions and
duties-has yet its missions of promoting
the welfare of the State by educating its
citizens and increasing its productive pow
er
If these are not to be intermitted or sus
pended can we make better bargain tinan-
cialIy considered for the educational interests
Of this State than by an advance of thirty
thousand dollars to secure the sum of three
hundred thousand to be applied in acquaint-
ing its farmers with systems intended to
x
their industry
1t is also unfortunate that the large and
important class who are most interested in
the objects of this bill are not themselves
united in Just estimate of its advantages.
Hundreds of active, intelligent farmers will
rejoice in its passage. Many more will per.
haps regret it as of no practical utility, and
waste Of public money. Were it otherwise,
II, 9 ii C+o& 4ol
request, public sentiment would have been
created, and an influence thrown in and
around these halls, which, when the great
department Of agriculture should appear
here as now, to ask at our hands OF its own
contributions the moderate sum the paltry
sum | had almost said-of thirty thousand
dollars, would quickly silence all cavil and
objection.
Agricultural Colleges differ, SIR, from ell
other collegiate institutions in which the
Sciences are taught, by their usual connec-
ton with a model farm, where the princi pies
Of science are practically applied under the
direction of scientific and experienced men.
| They proceed on the theory that farming is
an Art as well as Science, and propose to
improve present systems by the introduce
ton of new methods, and by experiments
which if attempted by individuals without
the competent knowledge, must prove ex-
pensive and unsuccessful. 1t is this distinc-
ton which renders it undesirable and i'm
practicable to connect the system of instruc-
ton in all its parts with the existing collie
giate institutions of the State.
am no enthusiast Mr. President i'll the
plan of producing practisal farmers through
the medium of books and colleges, yet, l am
not insensible to the great advantages which
will accrue to the farmers of this State from a
more thorough acquaintance with those nat
ural laws on which is based the success of
their daily operations And shall rejoice
! in the establishment of All Institute in
which the sons of farmers may be instructed
in scientific principles without those associ-
ations, and, influences which too often weak
en- their attachment to their own profes
sion.
While especially adapted to the wants OF
Farmers, this Institution by its Scientific and
Polytechnic Departments cannot fail to con-
fer important benefits upon the Mining, Man
ufacturing and all the Industrial pursuits of
the State
The principle upon which it is founded is
the edUcntiOn Of Our i1tdUStrN whether en-
gagged in the production of food, or, in those
other kindred arts which enable US to com
mand the vast resoursces of nature for oul
convenience and enjoyment
This Institution is intended also by the
terms Of the bill to perform service which
in this enlightened age is regarded as al
most Indispensable to the well being Of ev.
ry st ate. Bureaus of Agriculture have beer
established at considerable expense i'll seve
raj States of this Union for the collection o.
industrial statistics and reports-the impor.
tation and distribution of new varieties Of
seeds and plants-and the introduction o.
improved implements.
This important office the bill devolves up
on the faculty of this College, thus procuring
an exceedingly valuable service at moderate
expense.
rhe value of institutions of this class is ne
longer question, and, certainly here needs
no argument; yet, suffer me to direct at
tention for a moment to the remarkable
manner in which the rapid increase OF then
number and the liberal endownents made
for their support have in many enlightened
countries indicated the growing appreciation
of their advantages
) In 1910, there were but nine Agriculture
Colleges in all Europe. There are now NOR
than i've hundred. Russia alone has sixt.
eight. Seven of the States of this Uniol
have established them, and bills are nov
pending for the incorporation of such colleg
es before the Legislatures of nearly all tn
. other Free States. One such institution II
Europe has cost the sum of five hundred an
twenty-five thousand dollars, besides seven
ty-fve thousand dollars for its annual SUP
; port.
In our country, Maryland has appropria
! ted fifty thousand dollars quail sum bt
: ing raised by subscription-and six thousan
!, dollars to defray its annual expenses. Penn
, sylvania has appropriated fifty thousand do
lars twice,-in addition to a farm and 500
600, donated by the people. WhereN