The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-29
ABOUT AGRICULTURAL AND ME
CHANICAL COLLEGES.

ABOUT AGRICULTURAL AND ME-
CHANICAL COLLEGES.
A letter was read before the Ma
tional Teachers Convention, assem-
bled at Chatauqua, New York, from
Prof Alex. Hogg, a member of the
association, living in this state. This
same gentleman will be remembered
as one of the professors of the Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College, at
Bryan, removed some months ago
along with all the other members of
the faculty, because of a disgraceful
row, which it is generally conceded
was urged between the faculty and
the students by no less a parsonage
than the president of the institution,
and 1t was especially the desire of
this president in this misunderstood
ing, to make bacon out of the pro-
fessor here referred to. 1t is known
that President Gathright was OPP
posed to carrying out the agricul-
tural and mechanical features of the
institution, and that he preferred
to make of it military
training school and a purely
literary institution. Such pur-
poses, carried into effect were in
direct opposition to plans and pur-
poses of endOwments, and the fate
of the institution was seriously eff
fected thereby. Prof. Hoggwas OPP
posed to these diversions of the
plan of endowment, and because he
spoke and wrote in the National
Teachers Association against such
diversion of plans for the agricultu-
raj and mechanical colleges of the
United States, he was crisply set
upon by the president of the Texas
Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege, with results which caused the
removal of every professor en-
ployed in the institution. Prof
Hogg's letter, which was published
at Chatauqua, again calls attention
to the errors that have crept into the
management of these institutions.
He says:
l must not allow myself to forget,
that in the past scholastic year, not
only troubles, but real catastrophies
have befallen the agricultural and
mechanical colleges not in one, or
two states, but in several. With
regard to the cause, / venture
to suggest that it will be found, that
it has all grown out of the compli-
cations of attempting to run in the
same institution, these three leading
features, viz, Agricultural, Mechan-
ical and Military instruction. The
military, so far as we are able to
learn; (and this is corroborated by
my personal experience,) is the
source of all the troubles. And this,
| think, grows out of the further
fact, that the military to be of
any use whatever must. be thorough
ly equipped in all its departments
and requirements, while the act of
congress, granting lands for the sup
port of these colleges, intended it
should be secondary, and cultivated
entirely as means of discipline and
good order, not at all intended to
make proficient in arms, but as a
gymnastic exercise. Still / have
great hope in these schools, and
that, too, in the properly adjusting
the military so as to make it work
tremendously in connection with the
other departments-tO make it as ii
really can be, a power in con-
trolling and subjecting the young
men to wholesome and necessary re-
straint.
have spent the last tenyears in try
ing to build up and foster industrial
education. Not by lessening or omit
ting the higher liberal branches, but
by adding, as l have often said, to
liberal educatiOn,practical education;
not with a view of supplanting the
former, but of extending Hunting
theory and practical. Theory eX-
planning practice, and practice illus
trating and enforcing theory. l be-
lieVe this to be the true interpreta-
ton of the mission of the state
agricultural and mechanical colleges.
From this state large delegation
of devoted and honored teachers
have gone up to participate with
you in this annual gathering. L
commend them to you, and ask for
them that large hospitality and
broad sympathy and warm welcome
you have so often extended to me.
They will tell you what is doing in
Texas, in her primary and higher
schools, in her colleges, whether
state or UNCONVENTIONAL. l feel that
you will be cheered at their account,
that you will bid them God speed in
their labOriOus, yet successful work.