Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-01-18
Hearing on the Agricultural College.

The committee on Agriculture yesterday after
| noon gave hearing to the Trustees and other Of
fcers of the State College, concerning the work
and the wants Of that institution.
Ex-Gov. Coburn was the first speaker. He said
that the Trustees had gone through the year and
did wha. they could with the means at command.
The funds the past year had been very short, and
of course less Improvement had been made than
formerly. some of the appropriations have not
been for the interests OF the State. They had
been obliged the past year TO contract debt of
$1,000. 1hey pay for II struction as low else
where-ony $500 for Professorships They are
obliged TO have professors of high order. There
are less text books to follow, and the teacher is
thrown more on his own resources than at other
institutions. The faculty are hard workers, and
the finances have been shrewdly managed. A
fund of SIG 900 exists which has not been expend-
ed. as it has been deemed the wisest plan TO keep
it for the future and enlarged work of the college.
They have fund now of Sl34 900, drawing in
terest little less than 5000; entire teaching
expense 5000. Something had been done to
beautlfy and adorn the grounds. No attempt had
been made at "hifaiutin." The institution has
outgrown the apparatus, and $1,000 could be judic-
iousy expended IN that direction; $1,000 are also
needed ON farm for experiments, &C. farm
house is needed to fill the original plan of the
grounds. The boys in the lower classes often
employed at labor aud paid for the same at ten
cents an hour, which "helps them out" lie was
fully convinced that the study of boys with three
hours work day is to be preferred. Ii is an ex-
cel!ent thing. also, for discipline Nothing takes
the devIty out Of boy quick hard work.
The library is kept up without drawing upon the
funds of the State. Frequent contributions are
made by individuals. A want has been felt in the
mechanical department, and the building of a
machine shop was advised This can be brought
| about at an expense of about $1,000; one thous-
and dollars would be required for teaching ex-
penses the first year.
Rev. DR.. Allen, President of the College, next
addressed the committee, saying that the object of
the college was to give broad, generous, liberal
education. This has been attempted to be follow
ed out. de had not been disappointed in the re-
suits of the past five years. The agricultural col
lege fund will pay about one-hslf the expenses Of
running the college. If the college is not worth
| saving, the State ought to say SO. Many of the
students are settling upon farms and entering into
Industrial pursuits. the institution hasgraduated
seventy students.
Prof. w. A. Pike of the College, dwelt upon the
department of mechanic arts. They had given
thorough instruction in civil engineering. Theo
retical mechanical engineering had also been
taught; but no opportunity had been given for in
structon in the use of tools. The Russian system
was expla aned 1t provides shops of instruct ton,
not shops of construction. The student begins with
the construction OF the simplest parts of mach in
cry, and works gradually up. series of shops
| needed will cost about $1,000. 1t is intended at
some time during the year to have experts in
the different departments. This will be q great
help to the students in mechanical and civil en-
eineering. Young men who simply want to learn
. trade should enter this department. The ex-
pense for the raw material for the work would be
small, and this is paid by the student He was
confident that such department would not only
enlarge the number Of scholars, but greatly in
crease the good of the college.
Rev. Mr.. Dixie of Bath, next presented the
claims of the college, and that it was not COM
petition with any other college.
The committee voted to grant another hearing
10 the Trustees and other friends of the college.
on Thursday afternoon next, and to visit the in
stitutiou on Frday of next week.