New-York tribune., 1868-12-25
THE CORNELL UNTYERSITY.

ms University has just closed its first term. and
gives vacation to its 400 students until the 5th Of
January, when its second term will commence. The
examinations at the close of the term were highly
satisfactory to the faculty and creditable TO the
students
One of the features Of this institution Ia its
voluntary labor organization. instituted for the
double purpose Of aiding students of moderate
circumstances to pay then expenses in part, at the
same time that they develop healthy and vigorous
physical system. The workings of this labor qucs-
tion prove quite as satisfactory could be expected,
under the various embarrassmonts that attend the
opening OF "a new institution. We believe that Mr.
Cornell feels much encouraged. and is sanguine of
complete success in the future of his experiment..
During the term just ended, about one-founh one
fifth of the students have avaed themselves Of this
opportunity to work. who hayo been paid by the
University for their labor about 5000. and his
found by the professors that the students Of tho labor
corps are as well prepared for recitation as those
who do not indeed it is already conceded by
most Of the faculty that student can labor three
hours per day, without restricting his ability to
acquire knowledge.
We have some details Of tho labor corps for the
first month as follows: Labor began Oct. Il aud
ended Oct. 3l-making Is working days. during that
time ij students worked from ihreo hours, in all, to
66 hours each. earning $j7 49, The best ten workers
averaged 81 % per Neek-the work done usually
between 2oclock and O'clock p. m. The above
work Vas landscape work and road admaklng.
During the same time, "a students worked on the
buildings at carpenter work and earned sl9S SO re-
ceiving wages ranging from 81 50 to s2 per day, ac-
cordng TO their skill In the Boarding Hail. 10 other
students were employed to wait on table, fol- whe"
they received their board A. students were employed
for miscellaneous work, for which they were paid
sj5 70.
In addition TO the above. several students have
worked more less for person, outside tho Uniyer-
sty of which tho institution has no account.
We have been permitted 10 copy the following ex-
tract from "a letter written by gentleman ia Ithaca
to friond in Massachusetts. 1t gives the substance
of conversation between a student and the writer
and shows how one. at least of the students means
TO pay his expenses while acquiring education at
the University:
"Thus, two occupy room and Que bed. Tho
rst week. t will cost for board 81 u each; second week.
03 third week. cents fourth week. 90 cents He thinks
however that will cost them 81 each week TO subsst as
they require meat day. and make up the rest with
coarse and molasses using butter His computa
ton OF expenses for year is thus made up Tuition for 40
weeks $50; board k2 for weeks; roomrent, t26 re
and lights sIs At that for the Winter months aud
In Summer for lights only cents per week; washing
s3 per year cooking. ;i3 This makes sl per year. as
he has avsed himself Of an opportunity to sleep with
another young fellow and shares his fire and ghts For
small services. in sweeping an Office aud answering
physicians night bell he $50 year for roomrent
fire. and lights and has thereOretO provide only siis per
year for all expenses To my question: How do you pro
pose TO procure TO pay thsr he says have
worked days in October doing 5Jl hours work and ro
ceiyng s. O2 therefor. cannot work so much and at
tend to my lessons BESIDE thore will DO bad weather
when cannot work much. caa however, average III
per week for weeks and during the Summer vacation
can all the time and 50 per week for eight
weeks This together makes si6' and no naivey adds
The e difference between ZIG aud l3, think can make
up by the end OF the year"
Our opinion is that such boy will got an educa-
ton some day.
1t is the desire of Ezra Cornell to aid boys of this
character in their struggle to prepare themselves for
usefulness in life.
There seem however. 20 bo some who look upon
this college ss a charity school where boys can be
fed and educated-who think light labor a hard
ship and lind it difficult TO pay $40 torn for tut
ton but freely contract debts for that amount for
cigars and tobacco.