Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-03
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
concluded from first page. !

Maine State College of Agriculture and the Me-
chanic Arts (approprating S23,35o) was taken
from the table.
Mr. swAsrY remarked that he thought it to be
proper that before we entered upon the consldera-
ton Of this resolve that it should have q second
reading.
The resolve was then read twice, and pending
its passage to be ensro,sed Mr.. SWAsEi sand that
he had an amendment which he dies ired to offer.
He then proceeded to give his reasons why his
amendment should be adopted. lie called attcn-
ton to the fact that we have always gone TO the
record and gone to the people on the general
proposition of economy aud retrenchment. The
verv first thing that passed this egslature, having
its origin in the other branch. was resolve which
bore upon its face pledge that this Legislature
would direct its attention to the questions OF econ
omy and retrenchment in State expenditures. 1t
found unanimous passage IN this branch How
well we have kept that pledge record must
show and when the honorable Senator from Cum
berland (HAsKRLL) introduced a bill 10 make an
honorable sacrifice to reduce expenditures (refer-
ring to that Senator's mileage bi pa. sed it
to let the people know We were true to our reso-
luton. So much for the general idea of economy
and retrenchment. As applied to institutions
under the direction and control Of the State, the
idea of economy may be limited to the absolute
wants needs and necessities Of such Institutions.
1t is said by the trustees that the agricultural col
lege was established as part Of the educational
system of the State, but such a consideration
should not be made; neither should it be said, be-
desire 10 limit It's expenses, mat We are
not in favor Of the advancement OF agriculture
and of our industrial interests.
On all questions of educational interests, he,
Mr.. Swasey, would be the last man to vote for
anything which would retard such interests or any
interest of the State. For one he would 60 as far
as any other member Of this body, by It's voice
and vote to stimulate and quicken all interests for
the good and prosperity of the State, and of the
people. He might differ in the means employed,
but on the main question, he would vote money or
~ -, ,,,,lt 49, 4
happiness Of our people. But in the consideration
of the wants and demands of this institution,
doubts existed in his mind as to giving it counter
ance. He did not understand that in the estab-
ishment of this institution, the State pledged its
credit to maintain and support the same. He un-
derstood that when it was established and had OBJ
tanned foothod, that it would be self-suppoIting
and self-maintaining, and that large hearted and
large minded men would aid IN its support, if nee
essary, and that not dollar of the States
ey should be called for in its support The record
shows that have expended Sl5O,O0O of the
States money, of the peoples money, to sustain
the college. In the face of the resolve of 1873,
which prohibited the mourning any Indebtedness
in its support, beyond the amount appropriated,
they run in debt We have given the college
every year, large appropriations, and there has
been no curtaMment of demands made. There
had been on TIE part Of the managers of the col
lege, disposition to entirely disregard such con-
dltions in our resolves. They had gone far be-
You'd the limits of appropriations, since its incep
| ton, and had incurred debts which they were not
| justified in doing. The appropriations made by
| the Legislature have been liberal and generous.
| They have been gIatui,ies. And this had been
| done in the face of consideration that under ne
| circumstances should the credit of the State be
| pledged for further debts. The report Of the
trustees shows that they have disregarded the re-
solve of 1873. They have had the audacity to put
| into their demands an item for outstanding debts
and liabilities. Has the legislature any rights in
| this matteri Have the people any rights 1t
| seemed to him that the trustees had no right to
expect anything at our hands If the State gives
gratuity have we not reason to expect some
thing in return?
In 1875 we put the same proyso into another re-
solve limiting expenditures And yet, the trustees
have come and drawn every dollar they could get
from the State. While he wanted the State of
Maine to expend money for the education of the
masses, he, the representative of honest in
dustrous and intelligent constituency did not
stand here to vote any lavish expenditure Of
money.
In looking at other institutions, we cannot find
so large outlay of money paid for board Of
instruction, as for this college of lis students.
He wanted to see economy in what expenditures
we see fit to make, and he wanted to ap-
preparations wisely applied. His own individual
opinion was, tina: we cannot unite agriculture al
with classical education he believed there was
chasn which could not be bridged over. Let us
look at the present condition Of the institution.
1t has 3lS Of land Of the most fertile soil in
Penobscot county 1t has $4,000 in the choicest
stock that ever came over the seas. Everything
convenient and necessary for carrying on expert
ments was TO be found in its possession. With an
institution so well equipped with stock, implements
and all that IS required 10 run it, it is q sad com
mentary on the science of farming in Maine, to
hear it said that it can't supportitse In the sale
of its farm products an exorbitant price was
charged and obtained
From the sale of the land scrip donated by Con-
gress, the sum Of $4,000 yearly accrues. The col
lege has lis students Four times many are
found in both of our Normal schools, which we
run for Sl3,50O, including instruction and i'm
provements. The trustees tell us in their report
that the school was never in more prosperous
condition. What is the feeling in the State about
the college Who has been benefited by it, or by
scientific farming While it may have benefited
some, it has also damaged others. Some twenty
have graduated as civil engineers. Has the edu-
cation of these young men here received, been
worth what 1t has cost us i! 1t is question of
money. Look st the demands OF the trustees.
Last year there l2l pupils this year they
port It's. Here is a decrease. And yet more
money is asked for. Is the institution calculated
to arouse enthusiasm among the people of Maine
1t seemed to him that outside limited circle,
enthusiasm did not exist. For farming expenses,
experiments and improvements they ask for 3d.
500; a modest demand. They want the State.
after having given them farm so well stocked
with animals and implements, to give $500 more
to carry on the farm with, and this in addition to
have 800 acres of land to obtain an analysis of the
soil from a crucble The institution asks for
$4,000 TO 20 for instruction, in addition to the
revenue OF the Congressional fund. Now we have
two Normal schools of Importance and influence,
and for both the cost of instruction is only Sl3,-
900. Last year it cost the State $3.50 TO pay for
the tuition of the students in the college. AT
Bowdoin, any other college, or academy,
with one-half the tax upon the students which
they now pay for board, you can graduate the
same number. When the Agricultural college
has plenty of farm help, and oxen and horses, he
regarded it as not very modest request to ask
for $500 to go for such purpose as grading
street at the States expense.
The Senator knew it was very easy to find fault
in the management Of State institutions but while
We have appropriated, its managers have expend-
ed beyond the limit. They have barn costing
$4,000, 60 rods from the farm house, pride no
doubt of the institution. lie did not object 10 this,
perhaps; and this barn has been placed ON line
with the lest of the buildings of learning. Now
they want S3, 500 for q farm house. They have
one that is better than the average farmers of
Maine enjoy to accommodate the farm superinten-
dent who gets $1,000 per year from his labors.
What is their reason for asking this sum-simply
to build nearer the barn. What is to be done with
the Bodybuilding They say they want that for the