Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-10
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
concluded from first page.

| ANY State which may take and claim the benefit
of the provisions of this act shall provide not less
than one college, as prescribed in the fourth sec
| ton of this act or the grant TO such State shall
cease and said State shall be bound to pay the
| United States the amount received for any lands
previously sold.
The State of Maine by its Legislature accepted
this Congl essiona donation, according to the pro-
vision, Of the act; the towns of Orono and Old
town. in consideration of the advantages TO be de-
| rived from the location of the college in their
vicinity, have given an unconditional deed OF the
two farms which now constitute the college farm,
| and the State has erected thereon the buildings
| which We now have.
| The State was under the necessity, of course,
| of making large OUTLAWS for the necessary college
buildings. The figures showing the amount that
has been appropriated by the State for all pur-
poses during the last nine years, are before you,
| and the amount is not Of small magnitude; but
when we consider the enormous cost of public
buildings ordinarily, we shall be surprised on
looking this property over, that the State has so
much 10 show for the $4,000 it has expended
here. The policy of the trustees has been to
build for the future as well as Tor the past sub
stantial, permanent structures.
| The interest on the congressional fund can be
applied only to the running expenses OF the IN
stitution. Had it been sold at rs high a rate as
that of some of the States, the proceeds there
from would, without doubt have been sufficient to
pay all these expenses. 1t is much to be regretted
| that we did not realize larger amount. Whether
| or not those who had the sale OF that scrip in
charge did the best in their power for the interests
| of the State, remains to be demonstrated Our
duties remain the same, whatever may be the re-
suit of the proposed investigation.
| Now the practical question before US is shall
we give this institution such support AS shall put
il in the highest state Of efficiency or shall we
| abandon it altogether? Is the institution worthy
of supporti Is the education which Is here gwen,
worth anything to that class to whom it is offered
is there no need that any others except lawyers,
DOCTORS and ministers shall receive that degree of
culture that college course affords Is it sufi
cient that our farmers, merchants, and mechanics,
shall have only that education which is represent
ed by the three Rs, reading, writing, and arith-
/ metic, or is it best to make an advance movement
i in the cause of education, and bring new elements
and new forces into our educational SYSTEM
| am convinced that this school supplies q very
much needed want in that system. and that it is
worthy Of the support of the State.
The amendment offered by the Senator from
Oxford reduces the appropriation to 5000. lie
| saws he desires to do the institution justice, and
"gve it all that its trustees can reasonably ask. "
| Now, let us examine this for a moment land
| what the practical effect Of this very reasonable
reduction will be. The salaries of the teaching
| force are as follows -
c. F. Allen, President, and Prof of Eng
| lish Literature, $1,000
NJ. c. Fernald Prof. of Mathematics and
Physics, 1880
c. H. Fernald, Prof. of Natural History 1900
| A. Ii. Auburt, Prof. of Chem stry, | 800
w. A. Pike, Pref of Civil Engineering, 800
| w. S. Chaplin, Prof. of Modern Languages, 800
j. II. harrington, Farm Superintendent, 900
| &. III. Hamln Asst Prof. of Eng cheering 1000
Making in all for salaries of the Faculty, $4,000
| The interest Of the Congressional endowment
fund is little short of $4,000 PER year. The
| So 600 which my friend, the Senator from Ok
| ford proposes to make the amount of our appro-
| M Very all av
the outstanding bills against the college, so that
there would remain for the salaries of The faculty
| for the year to come, heretofore Sl2,000,) only
about $4,000. Not dollar for farm experime nts
or Improvements, not a dollar for repairs not a
dollar for contingent expenses; every thing at
dead lo-k. Nothing to pay the Freshman class of
| forty the 10 cts. an hour, which is the standing
offer of the State Of Maine them in the act ac-
cepting the national proposition and establishing
the college; and the promise on which many Of
these boys rely TO enable them in part to pay their
expenses for the first year Of their college course
The amendment will leave only enough to pay
the salaries of the teaching force at q reduction of
| 70 per cent, throwing out OF the account all the
expenses of every kind which such an institution
necessarily involves. What is the result All the
| young men who have entered this year gather up
| their scinty baggage and books, and return to
their homes throug bout the length and breadth of
| the state Of Maine, there to sit down and muse
upon the liberal, whole -souled gentlemen, who
constitute this glorious legislature Of the Ccnten
| NAL year.
The Professors, some or all of them, retire from
the field, and seek positions elsewhere, where
their learning and talents will be best appreciated
Other classes, Seniors Juniors and Sophomores,
finding their cour-cs Of instruction broken and
shattered, give up their hopes of that liberal edu-
cation which the promises of the noble State Of
Maine had done so much to raise aud foster.
The unavoidable result would be to abandon the
domtory college buildings and all TO the owls and
bats. and close up the institution forever. or un-
Ill the question should be thoroughly discussed
and ventilated by the people, and enlightened pub
lie sentiment should place it on basis as firm and
enduring as the everlasting hills which have not
doubt would eventually be the case. Now per-
haps this legislature is ready to take the response
biny, aud to incur the odium which would result
Fl ON this action. But ! say here, and now, that