The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-02-18
The Agricultural and Me-
chanical College. 4
NILES MINORITY REPORT.
What the College Should be
and where Located.


the establishment of an Agriculture
and Mechanical College is an abb,
document, and states what we believe
to be the true position in reference tt
the subject. We regret that tht
crowded state of our columns pre-,
vents its publication. entire. The
Report first shows that there is nc
necessity for hasty action by the Leg
islature, as the time for the accept
ance of the Grant has been extended
by Congress. It then says: q
There are two questions to be de-
termined: one as to the kind of insti-
tuition to be established, and the other
as to its location. ~ o9s
Two radically different plans are
proposed. One, as we have seen, con
templates an ordinary College with in
structipn in agriculture, military tao
tics and mechanics engrafted on it.
Such instruction is now given in many
of our older Colleges and Universe
ties, including military drills, and
some of them have departments and
professorships for that purpose. This
institution would differ from the 9TH
ers only in name. They are all alike
designed for the education of youths.
The other plan, which the under
signed is constrained to favor, CON
templates, as of prime Importance,
the education of the farmers and me-
chanics, of the State in real, practi-
cal knowledge, such as is especially
adapted to their wants, while it does
not preclude the idea Of college for
the education Of the young. For
this purpose a. considerable tract of
land would be desirable. Such a
tract, centrally located near the cap.
ital, could now readily be procured.
This codId, by slow degrees, be made
into model farm, illustrative Of all
the improved. methods Of agriculture,
horticulture and the kindred arts,
including the keeping and the best
varieties and improvement Of the
breeds Of stock; the value and use
of manures; the Improvement and
propagation of seeds, flowers, fruits,
vegeta bles and grains. There all the
valuable suggestions on the vast va
riety Of subjects peculiarly impor-
tant to farmers and mechanics
could be tested and shown to
the public. There all new and i'm
proved agricultural and mechanical
implements could be exhibited and
tried. 1t would be kind of common
farm for all the people of the State.
The State Fairs could be there held.
The State Board of Agriculture, also,
could meet at the farm, and perina-
nent buildings for the use of both
could be provided. At the times of
such meetings, and other suitable oc-
casions, instructions could be given
In the form of lectures on agriculture,
mechanics and the kindred arts and
sciences, to which any of the farmers
and mechanics of the State could be
admitted free of expense.
In this respect, the institution might
be like branch or department Of a
great European University, designed
for the instruction of men, and not
merely for boys. 94
With this view, its location at
distant point would be as if the poly
technic Institution of France had been
located elsewhere than at Paris, or, as
if the present world fair were estab-
lished at a provincial city. All this
would not be inconsistent with, an!
other department Ike an ordinary coll
lege for the education of youths,
though that would be is least oimpor-a
tant and essential feature, as the State
will abound with such colleges,
while we can hope to have
but one institution of, the
character above indicated. 1t could
become "a great central mart for the
exchange of the experience and ma
tured thoughts. of grown up men,
True, itiwould require time, perhaps
many years, to fully realize this idea;
but right beginning would insure the
final result. And the institution
might ultimately become the nucleus
of real university. u
In discussing the question as to
where the College should be located
the Report refers to the Tippecanoe
Battle Ground (where the majority of
the committee propose to locate it,
as eighty miles north of indianapolis,
approached only by single line of
railroad and alleges that twenty
farmers and mechanics would visit
the institution and receive its bene-
fits, if located near indianapolis, to
every one who would visit it if located
at the Battle Ground, The Report
concludes; gfrr aaor
Anything essentially akin to our
present colleges cannot meet their
wants. 1t can give something of in
struction and mental discipline to the
young, but much of what the youth
destined for the farm and workshop
will acquire at such an institution,
being to him impractical, will soon be
forgotten; while the grown up man,
blessed with sturdy sense and strong
bondS and the srgldimanfss of a ~ H. ND