The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-08-25
THE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHAN-
ICAL COLLEGE


lege at Bryan, and has found fruit
full sources therein for complaint. |
The last Legislature, having been
convinced that the plan upon which |
il had been conducted was q failure, |
joined in an effort for reformation,
and it now begins to look as though
thereis something creditable to be
derived from the conduct of the in
stitution. Under the old regime
politicians had too much to do with
its conduct. The governor, lieuten-
ant-governor and speaker of the
house of representatives were ex-
officio members of the board of
trustees, and IN filling places
in the institution there was
an earnest effort made in several in
stances to secure preferment for the
special pets of this or that aspirant
for state honors. The last legisla-
ture, happily, did away with the old
manner of filling the board, and it is
now composed of six men appointed
by the governor, namely: E. b.
Pickett, of Liberty George Pfeuffer,
of Comal L. NJ. Scott, of Collin; c.
G. Wiggin, of Harris, and j. G. Gar
rison, of Rusk. Owing to the public
clamor against the Gathright style
of running the institution, the new
board is now called upon to intro
duce entirely radical changes.
President James had wisdom enough
to understand that very radical
changes were necessary and he has,
fortunately, already somewhat ap-
piled himself to the task, and the in
stitutiOn closes its session of 1880-81,
having advanced considerably in the
direction of needed reforms. Dur
ing this session, for the first time,
the original purposes for which the
institution was endowed have been
caught sight of, and we now hear OF
instruction having been extended in
agriculture and mechanics. Such a
course was favored by Governor
Roberts at the past sittings of the
board, but until year ago he was
overridden in such proposition, and
it was not until the summer meeting
of 1880 that he secured the adoption
of resolution, authorizing even this
partial course of instruction in agri
culture and mechanics. 1t was theI
made rule that the " cadets" should
OF least have somewhat of an indus
trial and scientific training, and it is
to be hoped these courses will sooT
he made complete and thorough
Metaphysics, when taught in a great
institution by a master mind has its
charm for the inqulring theoritica
student, but when made a chief par
ofthe course at Bryan the proposition
appears purely absurd. So does the
study of ancient and modern Ian
guages and literature, and chiefes
among them all does military scienc,
: stand in the light of absurdity as ,
: necessity in this long so.called agri
= cultural and mechanical institution
These "cadets" should hereafter b.
known as pupils in the schools o
mechanics and physics and IL
agriculture and chemistry, and there
are strong indications that such de
sired condition of the institution
will after awhile be reached. Out o
: the industrial department Their,
, should be turned out trained agri
culturists and horticulturists an(
machinists and engineers, anC
= from this institution should b.
} graduated, instead of sprigs o
r the law, young men who ma!
, direct and train and make NOR,
} profitable agriculture in Texas, an(
, who may assume intelligent direc
ton of industrial and public works
When a Texas school turns out fifty
or one hundred such men each year
then we may say the stipulation
upon which a contract was made ar,
being executed to the credit of Texas
as well as for her prosperity anC
advancement. The good results tina
may be looked for from this institu
ton, under its changing conditions
is presented in the annual repor
; of the president, when he says
, "Many ofthe students, who were at
tracted here because of the advan
tages offered for fine literary train
ing at low cost, are having theil
minds turned into entirely new chan
nels by the value and attractivenes
of technical courses, which are beins
, so prominently developed now, anC
which are surely working a radica
change in the results of the college.
These features being developed, leg
islatures will hereafter be encour
aged to make more liberal provis
ion for farm and shop development
while the improved laboratories o
the institution will enable tn
, pupils in agriculture and me
chanics to procure more in
tellectual course in these depart
ments, and, thus give education il
branches of industry upon whic
the state must depend most for pros
perity. The little that has bee
done on the farm for the past yea
shows that it may be made, not onl
|, field for education, but that it ma
e add to the financial prosperity of tn
e college, while the small beginnin
It made in a mechanical departmer
e demonstrates its great prosperity
e value. Touching the little mechan
r, cal department the president say
o that it is already a most attractiy
h feature of the institution, and tn,
the shops, etc., under ProfessC
Van Wrinkle are admirably conduc
le ed. 1t is certainly gratifying to mo-
l. the changing condition of this CO
d lege, and the STATESMAN earnest
d hopes the members of the presel
he board will see that the good VOL
.-1n-o.oo. Tl,o.- ,..o.x .o.k 1885,.