The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-03-07
Vermont Agricultural College.

We published the following from the
New England Farmer. 1t Is upon
subject that Is attracting great deal of
attention in the state at this time. We
are aware that the agitation of this
question is not approved by the powers
that be at Burlington, but they must
remember that they have accepted the
trust, and undertaken the responsible
ty Of expanding the income from the
agricultural fund to advance the educa-
tion of the industrial classes of the state
of Vermont. Ifthey are conscientious
ly performing this work according to
the spirit of the act creating this fund
they can we'll bear criticism. IF they
are not, then the people of the state
should know 1t and bring the officers
of Burlington college to give an account
of their stewardship, and if they find
themselves in place where their acts
will not bear the light of discussion and
investigation, they must remember that
they voluntarily placed themselves in
by asking for and undertaking this
trust, and as servants of the people are
at all times liable to be called to give an
account of their stewardship:
ut should be a source of regret to
every citizen of Vermont that the
policy pursued by our so called Agri-
cultural College and Its friends should
be such as to excite such unfavorable,
though just, comments from people
without the state, as appeared in your
editorial of a recent date. Yet the facts
with regard to the condition and man.
agement Of our Agricultural Colleges
should be published to the world as the
subject is one not only of state, but Of
national Importance.
"Where the national appropriation
for the promotion of agricultural educa-
ton is legitimately applied, such pub
llcation will always promote the inter-
ests of all.parties, alike those of the in
situations and those of the people who
would patronize them. Where not
thus applied it should lead to a whole
some reform alton, and If what I shall
add to your remarks upon this subject
will aid in bringing this about in Yer
mont, my object in writing VIII be &C.
complished.
"Vermont's share of the national app
preparation must inevitably prove a
h nj trif f., tntA
is for the people to say which of these
It shall be. Thus far, hold that ii has
been serious injury and ,ifthe present
policy of those who have it in charge is
persisted in, it will soon become a
blighting curse.
LET US briefly consider our present
situation with regard to this all i'm
portant subject of agricultural educa-
tion. Vermont is prs-eminently an
agricultural state, and her future pros
perity depends upon the proper devel-
opment of her agricultural resources.
Yet,while such development is depend
ent upon the intelligent skill of her
sgriculturists, l am not aware that
there is a school in the state where any
department of practical agriculture is
taught, or where our sons can be fitted
to honorably and profitably pursue the
calling of a large majority of our cti-
zens, and the one upon which, above
all others, the pecuniary success of all
classes among us depends. While
every needed facility is provided for
education in the pursuits of the nom
producing classes, the education of the
producers of our capital, the industrial
classes, in their various vocations, is
entirely unprovided for by any public
institutions excepting our Stale Board
Of Agriculture.
Nor IL this all. The fund derived
from the appropriation of the general
government, which was designed to
supply this educational deficiency, has
been perverted in such a manner that
1t has resulted in the building up of a
power among us which has thus far
been exsrted to defeat any measures
u
proper appreciation Of the Importance
OF agricultural education. lest the per-
verters of this fund may be called to
render an account of their stewardship.
"This new political element under
took to control the Board of Agricul-
ture and enlist that In its disreputable
service, While the avails of the nation.
al fund were being used by them for
purposes never contemplated by the
general government, they called upon
the Board to aid them in the execution
OF various schemes, designed to draw
money from the state treasury to be ap-
piled in the same dishonorable manner.
Failing to enlist the board In their
service. by either fiattery or intimida.
tion, this new element undertook to
suarrel with 1t because it permitted the
discussion of this educational question
at Its public meetings, and stigmatzed
such discussions as political in their
nature and accused the board of thus
msddling with politics.
Inc unyieiuing integrity OF the
board brought its members into dis.
favor with these schemors, and they APP
piled to the state legislature to aid them
In the execution of their plans for adj
Numbering punishment for such dis
obedience to their requirements, and
to secure the appropriations concern
Ing which they had asked assistance.
Here they met with better success.
Though they did not succeed in their
designs upon the state treasury, or in
the destruction of the Board OF Agri-
culture, they did have sufficient influ-
encs with the appointing power to
secure the dismissal Of all Its members,
though contrary to the earnest wish OF
CAi1tar l. 4