Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-05-14

for several years AN instructor in that instiiu-
| ton, and had served long in the navy and in
the merchant service. ii was suggested 10 the
BOARD by the president of the college, that the
newly-eleeted professor was admirably quail
fled to instruct lin addition to mathema;ics)
in navigation, seamanship, and all relating 10
nautical science, and 10 prepare candidates for
| admission 10 the Naval Academy. That The
! college would be made more attractive, and
its sphere OF usefulness extended, by adding
| to the curriculum n course of nautical instruc-
ton for youths who proposed TO go into the
| mercantile marine. 1t was also pointed out
that the revenue of the college might be there
by materially increased. The proposition
was favorably received no objection was
made to it, and, on motion of a member, the
gentleman in question WAS elected TO fill the
chair of ma thnetics, "and 10 perform such
other duties as, in The discretion of the presi-
dent of the college, may be assigned to him, F."
/ The record shows that the motion ''was voted
for by every member present, including the
president Of the board himself"
Again, on the 22d of January last at
meeting of trustees, resolution was offered
authorizing the president of the college TO re-
| ceiye students, Don-residenis of Mary land,
applying for special instruction, and 10 charge
them $40 per month for board and tuition.
The president of the board was present, and
the record shows that the resolution was
adopted ''unacimouslv.''
If, therefore, the industrial and agriculu-
raj interests have been suhordinated 10 the
military and naval organizations" and
thereby brought into great peril, il is not seen
| how the ex-president of The board can escape
his share of the responsibility.
/ But in truth no interests whatever have been
| imperiled by the action referred TO, nor has
any one connected with the college the re-
motcst desire TO subordinate the civil 10 the
military. We have had quite enough Of that
OF late in this country.
The circular which the ex-prtsident finds
now so Objectionable, was proposed TO make
| known and carry out what understood
to be the purpose Of the trustees, and copies
were sent 10 them first Of all. No one intima-
ted 10 me that they were in any way obcc-
| tionable, and it was some weeks before hetrd
| incidentally that, at u special meeting of the
trustees, some members being present who
were not ut the previous meeting, the circulars
were oil jeced TO. Very few ba0 been issued,
ceased TO send them out, and at the next
meeting of the board early in December last
| reported to them that in Difference to the
opinions of those who objected, | had with
held them until further action of the trustees
Under authority given by the I'd OF the above
mentioned resolutions, students desiring 10
prepare 10 enter the naval academy have been
received. But they would have been received
if no such resolutions had ever been adopted
Under the reg ulations made for the govern
ment Of the college before | was connected
With it, would have bad no authority 10 re-
fuse to receive them. There is no regula-
lion prohibiting the reception of students who
propose TO 20 10 any other institution or into
any pursuit. The resolution, in effect, does
nothing more than TO provide that such stu
DENTS non-residents of MARY land, shall pay
moderate tuition fee; whereas, without that
resolution, those students would have been
received all Others are, free Of charge for
tuition.
This tuition fee required Of special students
by the approving vote vi the ex.presideut he
now thinks most Objectionable, even demoruli- !
zlug. lie asks, "wh no in the nature OF tbiDgs |
is iIKely to receive the most benefit and /
assistance under-ths arrangement, the student
who pays forty dollars per month or the stu
dent who pays only twenty dollars per |
month";"
The question might seem 10 imply a grave
imputation on The integrity OF the ftcult, /
which | am sure WAS not intended | answer
that the professors, having proper apprecia-
ton of their duties, will make no distinction
whatever, but give equal attention 10 all, aud
to all the attention they need Even if they
we're not actuated by high sense OF honor
and duty, what possible motive have they for
doing otherwise. The tuition fees go into The
professors, hhose salari,s are provided for ty
ii different aud specific fund. This plan WAS
designed 10 benefit the college in various WAYS,
10 increase It's revenue. The only
effect il has on the professors concerned, is 10
impose upon them additional labor not thai
these special students are taught any thing
that is not taught to others for their course
OF instruction, 50 far as it goes, is identical
with that which under the late presidents
ex-otficio control OF the college was prescribed
for the freshman class. But it obliges the pro-
fessor to 20 over and over again, with these new
students as ther arrive, the same part Of the
course already gone over by those who have
preceded them. The additional labor was
cbeerfully assumed, not only without addi-
tional compensation, but under reduction OF
salaries, simply 10 advance the interest OF the
college.
The only ground then, for this charge that
other interests have been subordinate to the
military and naval organizations, is, that
there are few youths here preparing to enter
the Naval Academy, Tor which they charg-
ed very moderate fees. They are taught moth
ing that is not taught TO others, but moi
taught much that is taught 10 others, simply
because they do not need and do not desire I
such instruction. Their influence al the col
ege is most salutarv, because their appoint
ments 10 the Naval Academy are dependent
on their passing the preliminary examinations
They have therefore, strong immediate
10 study diligently, and to dis
courage in others idle longing and visiting
which would interrupt study.
Many more such students would, ! am sure,
have been here and the revenue OF the college
thereby much increas ed, but for " hat must
regard as the ill-adrised and prejudiced oppo-
'itiOn OF some in authority.
The proposition to add 10 the college
course Of nautical instruction
or those who desire il, has been misunderst oud
md therefore misrepl eSenied. BY recent Act
u Congress, the Secretary OF The Treasury is
authorized to furnish to the city of Baltimore a
vessel Of war thoroughly equipped as a :;
chool Or training ship. Tie city boards OF
rnde and education had taken some stels to
Ippiy for the ship and organize the school.
/ was thought that his college and the train !
ng ship might aid each other, aud both thus
1--WE additional aid to education. Youths
intending TO 60 into the merchant service Us
filters, receiving Uheoreiicai instruction al
he college, might be received on The training
hip tor practical instruction during the sum-
ner On The other hand. youths on the
raining ship who by conduct and capacity
mig BIT merit ii, would he received al the col
eye tor theoretical instruction and general
mental culture. The plan, if adopted and
wisely carrrid out, would believe, be OF :
great benefit TO the mercantile marine espe- 6
lilly OF The city of Baltimore. | thought, !
md still think, that by attracting to the
College and uniting with il other interests, it
would soon be rendered all the more able 10 !
accomplish its leading ohject-namey, TO s