The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-31
THE AGRICULTURAL LAND SCRIP.


The committees have reported on the sub
ject of the Land Scrip. They propose a
division of it into three equal parts. One
third Of it to go to Hampton one-third
to the University one-third to the Mill
tary Institute. The objection to this diri-
sion is, that it makes each part of it too
small. 1t squanders q fund, which, If
concentrated, would put the institutions
receiving it on an effective footing.
The division should not be into less than
two equal parts. 1t would then pro-
duce two endowments of at least one hun
bred thousand dollars each; which would
be tae least sum that could be appropri-
ated to any advantage, in the language of
the act of Congress, for "the endowment,
support aud maintenance Of at least one
college, where the leading object shall be
without excluding other scientific and
classic studies and including military tao
tics) to teach such branches of learning as
are related to agriculture and the mechanic
arts, in such manner as the Legislatures
of the States may respectively prescribe,
in order to promote the liberal and practi-
cal education of the industrial classes in
the several pursuits and professions in
life."
Nor would such sum as one hundred
thousand dollars prove effective for the OBJ.
jects intended, if it alone were to consti-
tute the foundation on which the institu-
ton receiving it rested. Combined, how
ever, with an equal endowment already
enjoyed by such an institution, it could be
made available for great and valuable edu-
cational efficiency in the State.
1t so happens that two institutions
already exist in the State, not sectarian,
which have been endowed each with more
than one hundred thousand dollars, for
instruction in the sciences Immediately
connected with agriculture and the me-
chan;c arts. One of these institutions is
established at Hampton for the education
of colored youths, and has been endowed
by the contributions of phianthropic peo-
pie, and from the funds of the Freedman's
Bureau to the extent of one hundred and
thirty thousand dollars, part of which has
been expended in the purchase of a large
and fertile model farm. This institute has
been adapted precisely to what were con-
ceived to be the wants of the coored race
of the South.
1t is in its plan and character precisely
such an institution as is contemplat by
the act of Congress granting the Land
Scrip. The case is very strong and in
teresting one. Strangers who wished we'll
to Virginia and to the colored race of the
South, have, unsolicited and unostenta-
tiously, sent large funds into our State, and
founded an institution which, in its exact
adaptation to our wants, and in its perfect
management and thorough system of
teaching, is doing, and promises to do, in
calculable good 10 direction in which
efficient work was most urgently needed.
The question now is, will the Legisla-
ture meet these quiet and liberal friends of
Virginia half way, by bestowing upon
this same institution due portion of the
fNnd which the nation has given her for prac
teal education Will the State add to an
existing endowment, another from this
source, of ike amount, thus making the
whole rich foundation for complete
and efficient institution for the education
of the colored race?
The other institution of the State which
is already largely endowed in the interest
of agricultural science is the University of
Virginia. 1t has lately received legacy
Of hundred thousand dollars, the income
from which is to be employed in this d.
reotion. Already had the University con-
struoted a laboratory for experiments and
instruction in agricultural chemistry, which
is pronounced the most complete on the
American continent. Over this school of
Technology it had placed Colonel j. W.
Mallet, gentleman who, born and edu-
Gated in Europe, enjoys European reputa-
ton in that department Of science Over
the school of Applied Mathematics, it had
placed Professor B@eck, who brings to our
University the highest science that is to be
derived from the German Universities in
the department of civil engineering and
mechanical science.
The Miller fund, added to what the Uni
versity had thus already done in this inn
portant direction, had already made the
agricultural and mechanical schools of the
University as excellent as are to be found
in America. If now these schools be fur
Their strengthened by the addition of the
proceeds of portion Of the Agricultural
Land Scrip, we shall have an institution
in Virginia which will attract students
from all parts of the Union.
In bestowing this scrip upon the Uni
versity, the Legislature could provide con-
ditons which would open the schools of
agriculture and mechanics at tho Univer-
sity to young men in the most straight