Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-22

ldllS Oi lculltoSCc ItIctotOrt uIknOWu-
The visitor or seeker after information
could then, by visit TO the fair grounds,
obtain more knowledge of the resources of
Tennessee in a few hours than he could by
a six months sojoun in any city or town
in the State. Every interest being united,
our fairs would become grand success.
Stock, agricultural and horticultural pro-
ductions, from every part of the State,
would be on exhibition in large numbers
and amounts. Counties, in addition to in
dividuals, could become exhibitors of stock
and other productions. The premium ami
mails or articles, or any other, could be sold
in the arena for high prices. No one exhi-
bitiOn would become the leading feature to
the exclusion of others, but each would be
merely an incident in the grand whole;
every interest being represented, every
visitor would be pleased, entertained and
benefited. The entire State wOuldbecOme
interested, and ours would not be consii-
cred the Nashville far, but one in which
every individual of the State has an in
terest.'
The above is an extract from an article
published in the NdshUiile Rural Sun OF
Nov. is, 1873. The balance of the article
went TO Showithat the Tennessee AgTicul-
tural and Mechanical Association was in
debt and appealed to the good citizens OF
the State for aid.
believe there is but one way of over
coming the difficulty Of paying this debt,
and at the same time providing for the run
ming Of the institution above alluded to
with perfect success, and that is by estab-
fishing in connection with the said institJl-
tion, polytechnic institute, or, in OtheI
words, a school for practical and scientific
education where the students could be
benefited while in charge OF the collection
of articles named in the above article, aad
at the same time, directed by their t;ItOrs
could conduct experiments of every charac-
ter for citizens Of this and other States
thus gaining a practical knowledge and d
theoretical understanding of all the new
and useful inventions and. discoveries
coming into existence from day to day.
With this impression, went 10 the Fair
Grounds for the purpose OF making au ex-
animation, and learning as nearly as posi-
ble what outlay of money would he neces
Sary to put the buildings intenautabie COZ
ditiOn for one hundred students. The re-
suit was that concluded that the building
known as .-FlOial Hall" could be made VeF1
comfortable as a temporary lecture room
for a trihing expense, while the room al
joining, known as Mechanics Hail. Will
small outlay of money, would ailJrd d
pleasant sleeping apartment. a good din
ing room Is located underneath the gran,
stand, while the old mechanics Hall
could be used as a workshop. All other
necessary buildings would be erected by
the students, while receiving Instructions
in carpentering and building, surveying
and plotting, all Of which, withmany Other
branches, would be included In the first
years instruction.
Tie advantage of this institution to the
student wonld be to make him a practical
man, scientific man, and a useful man
Not only would he understand All especial
trade, but he would understand all Of the
standard trades conbincd. Such a man
can open mine, Smelt the ore, refine the
metal, work it into any desired shape, and
use il economically. Such man can make
hs axe chop a tree, make q saw, fOIm q
plank, and apply il as desired; and in all
other useful arts and trades he would lie
just as proficient, whereas, when going into
an ordinary workshop to learn a trade, he
generally deyotes nearly one half Of the
time allotted to him for that purpose in
sweeping floors and acting as a general ex-
preSsman, all of which cannot be very well
avoided on the part of his employer, for the
reason that the services Of an apprentice
are of no value generally in a regular shop
for the first year except i'm this way. But
while this is true. il is only discOuraging 70
the apprentice. so much so, that after lie
has finished one trade, he seldom starts in
TO learn another, regardless Of the great
benefit it would be to him should he DO so.
The plan / would suggest for pOlytecll-
mic school will be found briefly explained
i'm the following;
There Should be at least one hundred
boys, of about sixteen wears of age. selected
from the State, one from each of the ninety
(g0) counties of the State, and the balance.
ten Q0), selected from the State at large,
all of whom are willing 10 devote FIVE years
for the purpose Of gaining a scientific and
practical educaiion, together with 4 high
moral training necessary to govern the
knowledge Of such powerful character.
Spending thus five years, they would gradu-
ate at the-ase Oftwenty-one.
] have been repeatedly called on by the
mechanics Of this and other sections Of the
country 20 establish a drawing school,
wherein they could spend their evenings
and receive Instructions in this branch,
which is Of such Importance to their sew
eral fades. But While my desire has been
To aid my brother mechanics ia every pos
sibie manner, Il has been almost out of
my power to grant such request, for the
reason that am often called away TO make
experiments, etc, for people in almost
every part Of the country, and would con
seqGsntly 0;ten iis4ppainI them, whereby
they would soon lose that active interest
which is so essential to success Ia all mat
tiers Of this kind.
But should the State provide a polytech-
mic school, it must be apparent that the
mechanics Of khe cpInIry could ioin the
regular students in their evening exercises,
not only in drawing lessons, but also in
those pertaining to chemistry, metalurgy.
mineralOgy, mechanics and all the branch
eS which may be desirable to them. Not
only could the mechanics of our country be
Thus hsneftted, but any, and all other per-
sons who would take an interest in llat-
tsrs OF sucn yasI itupoffanee to The commit
nifty. This recalls an article on this sub
ject, contained in one of our live neWspa-
peTs of a recent date;
';TEE HOPE o. faH sOCTH.--We have
urged upon our readers the importance cf
all our Industrial people working TO the
full extent Of duty and means. We nee,!
more development Of brains and resources. |
We must have more production, more skill !
and more financial economy among agg
people, SitGoGE RcslponiHS ril next cen
-ury."
Coming now to the matter of lo,iI .-i.i /
GEMS necessary to unite this inStituuouwiJh |
hat of the Tennessee lAgriellsaI--l and !
Mechanical Association l would sIy, that /
the sum is large, l believe II cau
be raised. l need only add that should tllis ,
prove true in the actual test, we
will have an institution Of more value 70
me STATE than can at present be estimated.
while at the same time it will render 90
citizens Of all ages, a resort of the highest
moral character. Slj0,000 would be ~ /
luiredtO provide tor the Zoe students tGnui /
he profits Ofthe econcernwOuld CfthemsciyeS !
support them) aud purchase the necessary
apparatus, books, etc, and 10 buy COLI
rolling interest in the old institution.
1t viii thus be seen that the students
themselves win be no burden IN reality, as
he provision made, would not carry them |