The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1878-12-12
THE AGRICULTURAL AND ME-
CHANICAL COLLEGE.
A Protest.
BRENNAN, TEXAS, !
December ., 1873.

DcctHlDer - 1910.
Editor Examiner and Patron:
AS the time for the assembling of
the legislature is now rapidly APP
preaching, and before which body
the Patrons of Husbandry of this
State, have directed their Executive
Committee to present the subject of
the Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lcge at Bryan. when il shall have con-
vcned, and TO ask of It some addi-
tional legislation, or perhaps more
probably additional appropriations.
inow desire TO say few words upon
that subject, which may perchance
fall into the hands, or catch the eve
of some member elect, and cause
him to investigate the matter more
thoroughly, and TO devise some plan
to carry out more generally the orig
inal design of said Institution. / do
not propose to critisize too severely,
nor, is what ! may say, done with a
full-iinding spirit, but that ! may
show, that there certainly has been n
mistake made, and that IL is now
time, that there should be some cf-
forts made TO correct it. The great
mistake that has been made, is, that
the directors have commenced at the
wrong end of their work, commence
ing at military tactics, when accord
ing to our understanding of the mo-
tive, and the literal meaning of the
act of Congress creating those insti-
buttons, were especially to establish
schools for the instruction and eleva-
ton of the Agricultural and Mechan-
ical classes, enabling them the better
TO develop the great resources of this
vast country, realizing the fact, that
the wealth of the nation is produced
chiefly by the deyotccs of those
branches of industry. In accord
ance with that view, and with the
wording of the said act of Congress.
Agriculture first, Mechanics second,
and these being established, then mil
iiary tactics should be taught, per-
haps including the drill, to which |
should not object if done in modera-
lion. My opinion is, that too much
Importance is attached to the militia
ry feature by tho directory or the
secretary, as ] find in the last cata-
loguc issued from said College, refer
cnce made in two instances to the
law, requiring the military feature of
the College to be maintained, and not
n single intimation made concerning
the other two departments. Why
should this be given such prominence,
while the others, the basis upon
which il is established are totally ig-
norcd? And again find other laws
bearing upon the subject, that ccr-
tuinly deserves some respect.
Constitution of the State of Texas,
Article z, Section 10, reads thus.
The Agricultural and Mechanical
College of Texas, established by act
of the legislature, passed April IL,
1873, located in the county of Brazos,
is hereby made and constituted II
branch of the University of Texas,
for instruction in agriculture, the
mechanical arts and the natural SCI
eHces connected thereWfh," now
why disregard this provision of
Texas law? She certainly is entitled
TO some respect, having spent nearly
100000 of the peoples money in the
enterprise, and the Texas constitu-
ton says it is to teach Agriculture
and Mechanics (which means those
subjects in fact), and the sciences
connected Herewith. Now, my
opinion is, that TO teach Agrieul-
turc or Mechanics successfully you
must have farm, implements,
stock, seed, tools and material, as
well as the dyiH and arms in teach
ing Military tactics, and that class
Of farmers who never see the
field, or implements generally prove
TO be failures, whenever they I'M
dertake the practical part. Again
under the present regime of the Col,
lege, a course of 3 or years strictly
military is sure to create desire for
that kind of life, and thirst for mil
itary fame, therefore the graduates
would wait for and seek out sucl
events and positions as required Their
skill, hence we should have a hord'
Of military drOnes in our midst
Again, Texas has been principal,
peopled by bold, energetic men, henc'
their offspring are rather pugnaciou
any way, and do not need such grea
training in the arts of war, to euabl
them to defend their rights, bu
should be trained and encouraged |
the civil pursuits upon which tn
wealth and glory of the State mus
defend. Now Mr.. Editor, | kno'
your space is valuable, and / dislik
to intrude, but this is topic that d
reetly concerns the great class of ci
izens to which belong, and when
cOmDlaiu nf thia Grand Ynistak