Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-15


The proper disposition of the funds aegruiug to
Tennessee, by the act of Congress in 1862, giving
public lands 70 the several States for the support Of
Agricultural Colleges, is a subject of importance at
this time. Long since We called attention to it n
an editorial article and then expressed the opinion
that there should be an equitable distribution Of the
funds under the law, so as to give one portion to
each of the three great divisions Of the State There
are several and strong reasons that might be ad
duced in favor Of this opinion; but we do not pro-
pose TO argue the question at length. One thing
occurs to US, however as obvious. The creation Of
three Agricultural Departments in connection with
established Universities, one each in East, Middle
and West Tennessee and the endowment Of them
according TO the act Of Congress referred TO, will
afford better opportunity to the sons Of "indzs-
trial classes for whose special benefit the lands
are given by the United Ststes to share in the ed
ucstionsl advantages offered in this case than they
could have by the creation and endowment Of only
one Agricultural College, however central in local
ity. And the fund, if judicially managed ct the
beginning, will be ample to sustain three such Ag-
ricultural Departments. For under the law Of Con-
gress, 300, 900 acres Of land will be appropriated TO
Tennessee, for which scrip will be Issued at the
value Of one dollar and quarter per acre. We
are therefore in favor Of East Tennessee having q
third Of this fund for the purposes designated by
the Federal Government.
And in this connection we add, that it is impor-
tant to make East Tennessee University at this place
University in fact as well as in name. In Janu-
airy, 1870, the Legislature Of the State conferred
A. I'll
right power and privilege Of holding real and per
sonal property for the support of schools, for The
learned professions, TO grant and confer medical dc
grees, and to and enjoy al other rights, priv
leges and powers usually conferred upon Universe
ties" The Institution has not however, had the
means in former years Of filling up this enlarged
sphere Of instruction, and Of creating upon a suff
oent foundation the various departments for which
it newly chartered 1t is true, that it has hat
a fund, consisting principally Of bonds Of the Stat
Of Tennessee which it is gratifying TO know ha
been preserved intact during the war. But it j
comparatively small and wholly insufficient for tn
purposes Of University. The College which
has now in operation is well furnished with compe
tent and faithful teachers Of the various branches
learning usually taught in Colleges Of this country
An Agricultural Department will be an admirabl
adjunct and will largely increase the means Of th
influence for good Of the University. The sam
' may be said Of tho addition Of a Normal Depart
mont, which, It is TO be hoped, the Legislature wi
create and attach 20 the Institution. This last
E department will enable the University TO educai
e and send forth every year a large number Of tn
young men Of East Tennessee, prepared to teach i
= the Free Schools which will BOON be in operation
G and for which capable teachers will be much need
= ed. At the same time other departments Of Law
+ medicine &c, should be looked after and steps q
- ken TO provide them. No additional expense nee
be incurred for this purpose beyond that of Ii
y erection Of few suitable buildings, which can
paid for from the funds now owned by the Unive
sty and Justly due TO it from the United States f
n damages 70 its buildings during the war, and froi
the State Of Tennessee for its failure TO fulal il
trust to East Tennessee College in regard TO land
. given it by Congress in 1906. II the State had IA
deprived that College Of the proceeds Of those Ian,
z: and neglected 10 make it any proper remuneration
2 East Tennessee University would have began i
q work in 1910, possessed Of means somewhat con
mansurate with the privileges and powers Of j
charter, and have been able to fulfil, in a good d.
cree the purposes Of that charter 1t is not too la
however, for the State to make partial but impe
u feet remuneration for the loss and damage the On
p versity has incurred in consequence Of the State
l., unfaithfulness Trustee of the United States.
,cl In due time we shall hope to this Instituto
thoroughly endowed and harmoniously working
y the various departments appertaining to Unive
r. sty. Knoxville is an eligible location for it, ben
central in East Tennessee And while we are bulr
j. sng Railroads and increasing in population mani
d features and trade, we should also make ample pr
n vision for the education Of our sons.