Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-03-15
Ald for pelaYaro colleRe.

Ala TOR U0taW3HO College,
The act of Congress, by authority of which lanC
scrip was distributed among the States to estab
lish and sustain Agricultural Colleges, was always
held to be enc Of the most doubtful character il
the minds of the most intelligent politicians O.
Delaware. Had this distribution not been made
at all it would have been better for the country
But inasmuch as the speculators, lobbyists and
congressman were determined to have the lands
or scrip thrown upon the market it would
have been far better 20 have allowed each State
the right to appropriate its share to such public
educational purposes as it desired
The proportion which was given to Delaware
was disposed of in recognizing Delaware College,
an institution which had failed for the want OF
support and while it was believed by many,
W ould not be able with the aid OF the scrip, to
continue any great length of time to hold out SUI
hcent inducements to attract enough OF students
TO make it a self sustaining institution Had
the land scrip been permitted to go to tho support
OF our public schools, it would have been fortu-
nate, and much good would have resulted to the
youth OF our State. But what has been done can-
not now be amended in this regard.
The college, we are told, cannot get along with
o1t further aid, aud bill mas been prepared, and
presented TO the Legislature, asking that an ap
preparation of 5000 year for two years be
made, and tie stale Treasurer authorized and
directed 10 pay it in quarterly instalmenis to the
Board of Trustees OF the institution The first
in.talment to be pad on the lst of October next
The bill provides, that in consideration of the
appropriation the Trustees of Delaware College
shall provide free obstruction of suitable char
acga Co. -.
such students shall obligate themselves to teach in
the free schools of the State for not less than one
year. The free scholarships are 10 be bestowed
by the members Of the Legislature each member
to appoint one.
Accompanying the bill is a petition represent
ing the condition of tie college, signed by VIM.
II. PurneI, President; and Wm. D. Mlckey,
Secretary of the co!iegs. We copy a portion
of it, follows ...t...-.
The entire amount Of income derived from the
said fund is 81, $50 and our Corps of Instructors
as established by the Board OF Trustees, is com
posed Of President and Professor Of Mental and
Yoral Science, Professor of Agriculture and
Mathematics, Professor Of Ancient Languages
Professor Of Chemistry, and . Professor of
Modern Languages and Military Tactics
The College was opened tor the reception Of
students on the l4th Of September, 1870, and as
est, the Trustees were enabled to conduct It for
twelve months without difficulty, but in the Col.
legiste year, l57l-72, they would have been com
PEELED TO reduce the number Of instructors, and
lower the standard OF scholarShip, had not mem
ber Of the Board generously offered to make IN |
the deficiency which then became apparent The l
same gentleman continues his contribution dur /
ing the present year, but Of course we have no
nght TO tax his generosity further. Thus it is
manifest that our income Is inadequate to the
support OF the Institution, and tor the coming |
year we shall need at least, two additional Pro
iessors as the number Of classes will be increased
and our present force will be unable to carry out
the course Of instruction.
No institution of this character in the United
States, is sustained w the proceeds arising from
tuition fees, as 1t Is an established policy reduce
the cost OF lnstrRctlOn 10 the students to q mini
mum. We have at this time thiFty-seyen stu
dents representing all portions OF our State and
twenty-five OF them are instructed gratuitously |
This liberal course Will be unquestsnAbly con-
tinued.
After due deliheratiou, and by the advice of
the Trustees, tie Faculty Of Delaware College
have concluded 20 lay this sta. .ement before your
Honorable Body, and request from the Leglsla- |
ture an appropriation OF three thousand dollars |
per annum for two years. his sum we feel as
sured will enable US to continue the course so |
auSpiciously begun, and result in making our
Institution eminently useful and creditable to
the State.
There is good reason to believe that the Col
"AaSA ESSSARSu AnB NhIiOnGl grant under
the act Of Congress Of 1862, will at an early day.
receive additional endowments from tue sams
source The aid which We are now asking of
your Honora bic Body viii place US IN a condition
TO receive and improve any additional donations
by CoDgressR
The facts are fairly presented to the Legisla-
tuIe, and it seems that the question 10 be de-
termined is whether the College shall be properly
sustained or allowed to dwindle down to a second
or third class school, and perhaps finally close its
doors. 1t has not been sustained as It should
have been by our own people. II is charged that
even some of the directors 60 not send their sons
to 1t to be educated. And if this is true, il only
proves that such gentlemen having strong parental
attachment to their children, fear to hazard their
education in any other than an old and well es- |
tablished institution. The years for securing
a good education ones Lost cannot be rega,ned,
and no parent can be too careful in his endeayor
to do his whole duty by his child.
Viewing the matter in the light OF the petition
we incline to the opinion taatthe bill should pass
and the aid asked for be granted
THE CLAYTON HoUsE.-Thc Easton INda
Journal, says Of the Clayton House and the late
banquet:
"The tables were beautifully decorated with
iurV