New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-12
Balance to wrong side of ledger. $767l G5H

Total nroducr .......... 1860 8ik
Balsnce to wrong side ofledger.. SOL o5hs
After this showing, it is evident that the
special committee Of the board OF trustees
entertained in 1872 q very correct opinion
of the requirements of farm school,
when they reported that "any land in addi-
tion to 500 acres would seem to be an I'M
productive investment of capital, and 1t ls
anprehended would lead to Improbable
farming 1t is quite clear that the S33
acres Of the Foxleigh estate are destined to
run away with a good deal Of the income OF
tie McDOnogh fund without aftordlng the
scholars any instruction in remunerative
farming, or, indeed, in practical knowledge
of farm work, and certainty none in the
science OF agriculture, which Mr.. Melon
OCH had especially in view, and upon
which he laid particular stress in his will.
This. as we'll as instruction in the rudi-
ments of mechanic arts, where the boys
showed an aptitude for such, was the real
nurpoee for which he left his money. The
pla;n English education which the boys at
Foxleigh now get, and to which they seem
to be pretty much limited, thorough as 1t
may be so far as it goes-is only part OF
what Mr.. McDonogh intended. 1t was
necessary, of course. to his scheme for
benefting poor boys, but more than this1he
wanted them to become either skilled far
mers, or skilled artisans and mechanics.
He wanted them TO go out OF the scnool
equipped with certain amount OF practl-
cal experience in agriculture. or OF me-
chanical knowledge and dexterity in the use
of tools. so that they might begin the battle
of life under favorable auspices, and by in
dustry and subsequent requirements, aided
by the instruction which the school had i'm
parted, work themselves up gradually to
whatever sphere their talents fitted them to
fill. His object was to train to the business
of farming, or other industrial pursuits
not blindly and according to old use and
wont-but in an intelligent way. as many
poor bows as the income of the endowment
would permit. He did not contemplate
giving them q common school education
merely. That, and even instruction in the
higher branches Of learning, the city already
offered them free of charge. Nor did he for
moment suppose that the school would be
so select in its appointments and 80 rigid in
its exactiOne, that its doors would be closed
against the greater number OF applicants
ssnressinp," as Colonel Allen states, "for
admission" or that, when admitted, third
of the bows would either run away, or be
veeded out within year OF their appoint
ment.
1879 and adopted by the board, is too re-
strictiye and exclusive. 1t calls for ex
ceptionally good boys, and those only "o1
reputable associations in life,' and all these
exceedingly good boys must be residents OF
the CITY Of Baltimore. Moreover, they must
he the sons of "poOr but honest parents
who are OK pected ito appreciate the advan
tages Of education and Of moral and phys
ical training" and who are required "tc
commit their children in good faith to the
institution for as long period as the vel
e IL III r,NnY
not to be guilty of "capricious and unrea
sonable interference" 1t is scarcely to be
wondered at that the committee should zeal
that the school would be fearfully hedged
about BY such restrictions. They evidently
unprecedented just such result as they &C
on 20 saw: "YOur committee are not able te
satisfy themselves that sufficient number
of such exceptional cases could be founC
as would occupy the resources OF the en-
dowment."
Further than this, the Foxleigh estate is
foo large for the purposes of farm school.
Two hundred and fifty acres under tillage
and like area in lawn, meadow and wood
as recommended by the special committee
would have been ample. Less than this
would have been still! better. For high
tiilsge, where the boys would assist and
| witness the operations, q small, compac'
| farm would have been best OF all, as tht
labor would then Do COuContA 0uoU w
limited area, the expense would be infinite
! ~ less, while the crops would be heavier
| and more remunerative.
At present the boys are not taught farm
| ing at all, but merely to play at farming
| 1t is in no sense ''farm school. 1t nevel
can be made one in the most extended
sense while the appointments are limited Il
| the city, as city boys do not take kindly t.
| farm work and rarely seek to make tbel
| living by agriculture But they would
readily receive instruction in some Of thu
| industries Of the mechanical arts, because
being we'll grounded in these, employment
in the CITY would open to them, and thu
trade apprenticeships which the will of Mr.
McDonogh specifies upon graduation would
be easv to obtain. Scholars drawn, if tn,
win permits, from the counties would prob
ably prove the best farmers, and obviousl.
the knowledge acquired would be to then
the most available.
To sum up: In his bequest Mr.. Nc
Donogh had three things in view
First-To give o large number OF poo
bows q plain English education.
Second-That they should be taugh
practically the work Of fam, and shout
be further instructed in the science {
Third-That boys who preferred to lear