The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1869-01-14
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.


Before the General Governm ent ap-
propriated public lands to the several
States for the purpose of agricultural and
military education and the mechanic arts,
aud prior to the time when Pennsy ylvania
endowed the Agricultural College with
her share of these lands. it was depend
ent wholly upon individual influence,
without any other means for its support
than its own earnings. History proves
that seminaries of learning cannot be
efficiently sustained by their own internal
resources. The education Of youth in
the niger branches of knowledge seems
to require the aid of philanthropic con-
tributions This Institution had not these
benefits to any adequate extent, and
though the board of trustees bestowed
upon it the ostanxious care, their zeal and
labor, combined with those Of its friends,
were not equal 10 contest with the want Of
means. Hence the school did not COM
mand the confidence Of farmers who were
able to educate their sons, and who could
not forget that the character of the college
attached to the character Of its graduates;
and that its failure would enter into the
estimate which the world would place
upon the education it bestowed This
feature has now been removed. The peo
pie, through their Legislature, endowed
this institution with the interest upon a
fund of S31S,500 90, (invested in
United States and Pennsylvania State six
per cent payable to it semi annually
Last year this interest amounted to $685.
I642 7S. The residue of the fund, $43,
$50 so, has been appropriated, under the
law, by the board of trustees, to the pur-
chase of three model and experimental
farms one at the college, in Center coun
ty, for $4,000 90, one in Chester county,
for S17,7 $50 90, and one in Indiana coun-
ty for SIS, 1856 so. The board has also
recently recognized the faculty and
remodeled the course Of studies, so as to
adapt them to the wants Of the agricultu.
raj community. This new order Of things
goes into operation at the commencement
of the next session, and it is earnestly
hoped will be a success. There is no
profession, trade or calling in life, where
the value of knowledge and the lights
of science, and the practical application
of both, are so potent for profitable results
as in their adaptation to agricultural pur-
suits. And in this truly practical age il
is well worthy Of the consideration oi
parents, whether they should not avail
themselves of the benefits of this institu-
ton, now so generously endowed by the
State.
MILITARY.
From the report Of the Adjutant Gen
eral you will learn the condition of the
Military Department The inactivity
in military affairs after the cessation ol
hostiltes and upon the return of peace
has in great measure been dispellcd
and an active martial spirit now prevails
throughout the State; more particularly
in Philadelphia, where, by special iegis
lative enactment, the minimum numbeI
of men required to from company has
been reduced, and brigade fund is raised
by tax opon those who are not members
of military organization, but liable tt
the performance of military duty. | recon
mend TIE passage of a similar law for the
whole State. For the sake of preserving
the great interests involved, which iuclud,
the lives, property and happiness of ou
people, this is presented to you as au i'm
portant subject for your deliberation.
Every possible encouragement ofvolun
teers has been afforded, and notwithstand
ing the difficulties indicated it has result
ed as follows In 1866 there were eigh
volunteer companies in the State; il
1867, thirty-eight and in 1868, seventy
seven, and number of others in prepara
tion for organization.
BY reduction Of the number for
company from that now required to al
aggregate Of City officers and meu, com
panies would soon be numbered by tn
hundred, any Of which could easily b
recruited to the maximum number 1t re
quiied for active service, The State tia