The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-01-26
The College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts.

ArtB.
Here is an institution that the State is in
duty bound to establish on a firm foundation.
New York, Massachusetts and some other
states have taken care that the wise aud mu-
innocent endowment of the general govern
ment should be made such use of and so in
creased by the State appropriations and pr-
vate subscriptions as to constitute a fund that
would make their Agricultural colleges rank.
with the first academic institutions in the land
These States are richer than Maine, but some
of them with their very much larger debts can
no better afford lberality to these schools
than Maine. The purpose had in view by the
projectors of these institutions-the securing
OF educated labor in mechanical and agricul-
tural industry in all parts of the country-is so
important that Maine cannot afford to ignore
or neglect it. When therefore the trustees in
their annual report now before us ask from the
State, an appropriation of $40, 900, viz, $4,000
for completing the laboratory, $4,000 for a
building with conveniences for one hundred
students, $4,000 for farm improvements, $1,000
for apparatus and library, and $4,000 for farm
buildings, it would seem wise economy TO
grant it in order that what has been expended
may not be lost
The trustees speak with considerable salts
faction OF the progress made in starting the
school, but things ought to be pushed more
rapidly. The general government has given
lands which have been sold for $1O4,5OO, the
proceeds being invested in the bonds of the
State. Only the in crest of this fund can be
used and that only for the purpose of instruc-
tion, it being left to the State to provide suit.
able buildings. The city of Bangor has made
liberal subscription, the exact amount of
which We have forgotten. Last year the State
appropriated $4,000. With such an endow-
ment the co lege ought to pass speedily from
its present embryonic condition, with only 13
students, farm superintendent and a pro-
fessor of chemistry.
The report of Hon. A Coburn in behalf of the
Trustees shows that the college is a success in
many respects at the present merely expert
mental stage of its progress. The labor of
students which is made part of the collegiate
course has proved to be decided advantage
in all respects Mr.. Coburn says:
The first college term was opened September
21st, and twelve students. having previously
passed satisfactory examination, were ad-
mitted One other was subsequently admitted.
They came from eight different countie.
These students accepted the idea upon which
the institution is based, and entered with
great apparent cheerfulness upon the business
of the term, laboring efficiently during the
hours of labor, and studying dill gently during
the hours of study. They have rendered val
liable assist ance in grading the grounds around
the college buildings, have dug 800 bushels of
potatoes, assisted ln tending the stock in milk
ing and work about the barn, and had com
menced choDplng the years supply of woud
sumed at the CONNIE encement of the next term
One of the students has paid the expenses of
the term into less than twelve dollars, aud has
been fully up with the best scholars of the
class in the recitation room. The students
generally have paid from one-fourth to one-
half OF their term expenses bv ltbor which it
was necessary to have done and which would
have cost the institution quite as much if fur
>nished in the usual way. The labor of the
students has not detracted from but contributed
to, the thoroughness of The preparation for the
recitation room. The examination ar thr Close
of tie term occurred December Sd, and exhib-
tied thorough instruction by the Faculty, and
clear comprehension of the subjects studied,
by the students
When it is considered that the preparatory
course of two or three years, usually required
for admission to collegiate INSTITUTIONS, was
omitted in this cyse, the results u tne examin-
alton were yery satisfactory. The manly de-
portmeut of the students during the term was
the subject of special commendation, both by
the Faculty and citizens living lnthe vicinity Of
the college.