Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-04
Agricultural College Question.

In considering the question of the mis-
application of our agricultural college
fund, let us first consider the object of lis
appropriation, in contrast with the results
obtained. As have stated on previous
occasion, it was intended to supply an edu-
catlonal deficiency, TO establish schools for
" the promotion of practical education in
the agricultural and the mechanic arts, =
to prepare young men for the successful
pursuit of these callings, and by the dtlu-
sion of combined practical and scientific
knowledge to aid in the great work of
developing the agricultural and mechanic
al resources of the country, and through
this channel, to ultimately promote the
pecuniary and social prosperity of all
classes, and of the state itself
We very properly judge of the merits
of the policies and acts of men by their
results, and in the case before US, what
must be the verdict when judged by this
criterion? What results have the manag-
ers of our fund to show for the one hundred
and fifteen or twenty thousand dollars of
the people S money which they have al
ready expended? Where are the facilities
for practical agricultural or mechanical
cuuCdtiOn WHICH tliIS SUN SlOulu nave
provided? Where are the educated Young
men in these departments? Where the
development of resources, the increased
pecuniary profits, the improved financial
or social condition which we should at
least have begun TO realize from its proper
expenditure? Does not the utter barren
ness of results in this direction furnish con-
elusive prinla tdcle evidence of IN improp-
er use of the funds in question? If they
have not been legltimately applied, or II
they have failed from any cause to accom-
plish the object OF their appropriation, the
public should know the reason and apply
the remedy.
Let us trace the history of this matter
and see if we can detect any cause for fail.
ure and complaint. 1t is a well authenti.
Gated fact that the pecuniary status OF
Burlington college ut the time the agri-
cultural fund was placed in its keeping,
was very unsatisfactory to It's friends. Its
situation was indeed desperate, and the
question how impending bankruptcy could
be averted was one of serious practical
importance to its trustees. The avails OF
its productive funds were scarcely enough
TO pay the salary of its president alone,
while the receipts from tuition fees was
insufficient in amount, because of the
small number of students in attendance,
The nominal salaries of its officers and
professors were paid only in part, as the
available funds in its treasury were not
sufficient to pay ordinary running ex-
penses, and there were no prospective
funds upon which to depend for future aid.
1t was also deficient In many of those
educational facilities, the possession of
which its comprehensive title of State
University would imply, and which were
absolutely essential to a respectable stand
ing among other Institutions of its class,
and to its future success.
At this critical juncture of its affairs,
Mr.. Morrill's bill for the endowment OF
agricultural colleges was passed, and its
provisions in due time came before the
legislature for consideration. The subject
was a novel one. The educational field
in which the appropriation was to be ex.
pended was new and unexplored. In con-
sequence of the previous total neglect to
develop this department of science and
practice, there were no competent leaders
to develop this plan for agricultural
schools, and none previously established
in other stiltes by which they could be
guided The friends of agricultural eduz
cation found themselves in precisely the
same predicament in which the advocates
of legal or medical education would have
been placed had there never been law or