Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-08-26
COR.VELL UNIVERSITY .E.N'D
.u.E.vU.EL L.TROR.

We have great pleasure in publishing the
following letter from President Rus
sell of Cornell University. 1t will answer
the questions of hundreds of young men in
the country, and will save them and the
authorities of the University the trouble Of
n more particular correspondence.
''MY DEAN sn,-The case presented by you is avery
common one-thht of young man anxious to be edu-
Gated, but without the means of certain support.
Such cans in the absence Of money, skilled
ual labor ability TO teach. Any one who comes here
with skill carpenter, mason printer, stone-cutter,
generally find work enough in the village to sup
port him economically. In the present demand for
carpenters they can keep ahead Of their expenses.
Printers, too, do very well, either in the village
press, which employ twenty thirty
stone-cutters do not keep up with the demands for
stone for the M'GnAw building. OF this de-
mand is subject to huctuRtion but, general rule,
will say that any skilled workman can ind work
enough here to pay the expenses Of his education.
"You are aware, Of course, that the University
sumes responsibility for work, neither promising
to furnish guaranteeing that there ia any. We
always give tho students the preference AZ to any work
Of our own but In every other respect they stand in
the position other MECHANICS seeking employ
mont. Docs your friend cofhonndar this heAd7 Ey-
idontIy not. a has skilled manual labor to offer.
"Som g Of our young men make something by teach
ing those students who are under conditions, who
cannot keep up with their classes. But your young
friend can not teach
"Nothng, then, remains for him to offer but UNI
skilled labor. He do what other unskilled lads
do and he mus. compete with large number of them;
for naturally tho majority Of boyd of this class
Unfortunately there In but little Of this kind Of work
to be done. The farm employs but few; grading stn
half dozen are employed about the library
Suppose, however, that he should find employment
Of this kind, how far would it support him? Twenty
hve hours week. all he could work, at fifteen cents an
hour, all he could get would fall short Of paying his
expenses, which hardly be reduced below IS per
week. to say nothing Of the cost Of books and clothes
There H. therefor. no safety in relying unshilled
labor as a means Of education here
one OF these days Mr.. CoRsRLL II he live, will es-
tablsh workshops for the purpose of EMPLOYING I'M
skilled labor. The students In the departments OF
Mechanic Arts will be taught to make models, which
may be sold Our projected bookbindery will employ
some and our prntngofce, with its increasing bust
ness, will need more hands Every thing in the future
is encouraging; and reason TO doubt that 4,
time' facilities for such work will be provided for all
who need it as means Of paying for their education
"For the present, however, we must wait. while opr
insttutionrows to the power intended by its founder
1t Is hard that young like the on whose behalf
you write can not pay for what they desire ardeny
which would add much to their usefulness and hap
piness, and add 30 much to the moving force of
society; but the same has slways been the case and
we are now so keenly sensitive 10 the wrong because
| we Just now begin to sec how 1t can be remedied.
when the question shall be answered why large
rivers generally now large cities, somebody viii
ask why this ne water-power of Fall Creek which has
been wasted for centuries Of summers and winters
should be found directly University line. Why
did Nature place all unfailng power for industry and
plenty alongside Of institution for the education OF
every one who desires to learn? Can you set your
manufacturers thinking about Il? II is a simple
problem Given manufacturers with money but need
ing men and wAter-power; water-power roaring for
employment; men needing money to pay for educa-
ton University with education, but needing money;
how can the wants Of all ba supplied?
'If some OF your smart men will solve that We shall
never again be compelled to turn away bright earnest
lads who come to for education Offering their arms
and brains and time for the privilege Of work. Untl
then, however can not encourage your young friend
| to come Yours very truly
civilian O. Russell, Yice-president."