Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-06-10
TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO.

In July, 1862, the Congress of the Unit
ed States passed an act, donating land:
to the several States and Territorie.
which should provide Colleges for the
benefit Of agriculture and the mechanic
arts. The act of Congress prescribes
that the leading object shall be, with
out excluding other scientific and class
ical studies and including military tac-
tics, to teach such branches of learning
as are related to agriculture and the me-
chanic arts, in such manner as the Leg
4 islature may prescribe, in order to pro-
mote the liberal and practical education
of the industrial classes in the several
pursuits and professions Of life
The Act further sets forth the condi-
tons on which the grant is made among
which are the following to-wit: That
if any portion of the fund invested be
diminished or lost, it shall be replaced
| by the State: That no portion of the
fund or the interest shall be applied di-
rectly or indirectly to the purchase, erec-
ton. preservation or repair of any build
ing or buildings; and it further provides
that sum not exceeding ten per cent.
of the amount may be extended for the
purchase of land for sites, or experiment
tai farms when authorized by the State
Legislature.
The State of Ohio by Legislative Act
accepted the trust created by the act of
Congress referred to, and has in posses
sion fund amounting, with the interest
accruing up to the present time, to about
four hundred and twenty thousand dol
lars.
At the last session of the Legislature
an act was passed to establish and main
tain an Agricultural and Mechanical
College in Ohio. A Board of Trustees
to carry into effect the intention of the
Legislature in discharge of the trust as
sumed by the State has been appointed
and organized, and it has been the duty
of the undersigned, the Executive Com
mittee of the Board of Trustees, to call
the attention of the people of the State
to the enterprise thus begun and to ask
their liberal cooperation in accomplish
ing its important purposes.
The Legislature, in the act establishing
the College, confers upon the Board of
Trustees the power to receive and hold
College, any devise or grant of land, and
any donation or bequest of money or
other personal property to be applied to |
the general or special uses of the College |
and provide for the investment of the |
money which may be secured in aid of
the purposes of the institution.
The Legislature also authorized, by an |
act passed April I8, 1870, the several
counties Of the State to raise money by |
taxation to secure the location of the |
College. The Legislature has not, as yet, |
appropriated any money to aid IN the |
establishment and maintenance of the |
Institution, but it is expected that it will |
do so hereafter. For the present, how
ever, the Trustees can look for the |
means of erecting buildings and pro-
curing the requisite land only to the do
nations OF individuals and communities
The Board Of Trustees is required to
permanently locate the College upon
lands not less than one hundred acres,
but IS of the opinion that in order to at !
tain the best results not less than three |
hundred acres should be secured.
The minimum sum named by the act
of Assembly to be secured for the loca-
ton of the college is one hundred thou
sand dollars, but the board is of the
opinion that a much larger sum IS de-
sirabIe
The committee will receive proposals
for donations in land and money to Sc
cure the location of the college until
September first next. Between that time
and October 9Th, when the location is
to be decided upon the Board will eX-
anime the locations offering donations,
and take into consideration all the facts
bearing upon each case, in accordance
with the provisions of the act of the
State Legislature.
In view of the foregoing facts it is evi-
dent that without the liberal co-opera-
ton of the people of the State, the in
tentions of Congress and of the Legisla-
ture cannot be realized for this co-ope-
ration the Board of Trustees relies with
confidence upon the public spirit of the
people of Ohio upon their fidelity to the
great duty of Education, and upon their
full appreciation Of the signal opportuni-
ty now within their reach Of more ade-
quately fulfilling this duty.
All communications on this subject
may be addressed to Valentine B. Hor-
ton, Chairman, Pomeroy, Ohio, or to any
of the undersigned.
v. B. Horton, Chairman; J. Sullivant,
Columbus, Ohio Norton S. Townsend,
Elyria, Ohio Vim. B. McClung, Troy,
Ohio; Thos. c. Jones. Delaware, Ohio.
Executive Committee.