New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-12
MECHANICAL SCIENCES,

We are greatly gratifed to see our COM
peers of the Bulletin and Picayne con-
WINGED of the fallibility Of all political ex-
pectations fix their views, the one upon
commerce and the other upon the me-
chanic arts, as substantial faith which
fadeth not away. Wenow ask their atten-
ton to the subject Of mechanical and COM
mercial instruction as means Of develop
ment. Do these intelligent organs know
that the United States has endowed a col
lege of mechanical and a college Of agri-
cultural instruction in our State? That
there has been realized from that source a
sum Of about two hundred thousand dol
lars, under the funding law. That there
has been, in accordance with our State
law, farm purchased in the parish of st.
Bernard, within mile or two of the city
limits; that there will be model school
farm established accessible to the youth Of
Louisiana? At this school will be taught
the application Of mechanical and chem
ical science to the great pursuit Of agricul-
ture.
We wish them to call the attention Of
our compeers and of the public to the
importance of organizing effectually a
college of mechanics. 1t is plain that the
agricultural cadets can not leave their
cattle and crops and come to the city every
night. It is equally obvious that the me-
chanical students can not expect the work.
shops, libraries and lecture rooms on the
farm, nor can the poorer students pay
the car fare and loss Of time necessary
to attend school five or six miles from
home. TO unite the two colleges in one
building is, then, unreasonable. There
must be an agricultural college in the
country and mechanical college in the
city.
Many years since the mechanics Of New
Orleans formed society for the purpose
OF promoting the advancement Of the me-
chanic arts. They contributed the money
to erect building. 1t was destroyed by
fire. They applied to the Legislature for
aid in erecting another. The State gave
them money and land, and there has been
erected with the joint means of the State
and corporators the Mechanics Institute.
The State has authorized the transfer TO
this building of library, and has, per-
haps, added to the revenues Of the Me-
chanics' Society the rent Of some real
estate, of which the State was the trustee
for beneficiary purposes. The public has
seen that the Governor proposes to assert
the States title to this Mechanics Insti.
tute, upon grounds set forth in the official
publication recently made
We refer to the situation of this prop
erty and the nature of its foundation for
the purpose only Of appealing to the mer-
chants of the city interested in securing
for their institute the purposes TO which il
was dedicated Why do they not inter-
vene? Let them secure for this college
the endowment of the United States, and
Louisiana will have an agricultural col
lege in the country and mechanical col
lege in the city. We are convinced that
if the State shall acquire the title to the
Mechanics Institute it will at once inau-
gurate mechanical college. The board
of control will at once appropriate the
funds necessary to organize course of
pnt,1rGS and cDiar&;Eo
There will be night schools and lectures
1t which the young men, apprentices or
others desiring occupation can, without |
expense, be instructed. We do not doubt |
hat conference of practical mechanics, |
With the Governor and board of control |
would at once utilize this property, and
make it what Newton Richards, Daniel
edwards and Davidson and other intelli- |
,ent providers intended it should be. The
public and the press so actively alive to
he importance Of the industrial arts, can
i'd in this patriotic adjustment, and New
orleans can enjoy the advantage of col
eye OF mechanics in her midst, with an
grcultural college near enough for the
tudents to attend her churches.
We might add that measures are being
aiken to obtain one or more school ships
n our port for the education of mariners.
f our Democratic confreres will cease
breathing slaughter" against Repub.
lean innocents, and devote their breath
nd zeal to the propagation of the indus
rial gospel, all these great results can be
rought about. Louisiana can raise her
wn corn and cattle, spin her own cotton,
etine her own sugar, and navigate her
wn ships.
Now that the result in eighty-two
lectoral districts has in effect left The
Democratic organs nothing to do for the
resent, they may while away the inter-
al before again ordered under arms in
the industrial arts.
TWO SURRENDERS.