The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-15
A state university Tor airls.

Our Legislators must not forget that
among the other b0ons Mississippi asks at
their hands this winter, is the establish
ment of a State University for girls, organ
lied upon as liberal plan as any institu-
ton for the education of males that the
Commonwealth can boast. This was prom
sed them by many of our candidates dur
ing last wears canvass, and it is no less than
they have the right to expect from the
ehivalric men whose noblest attributes re-
fleet the teaching, promptlngs and exam
pies of the mothers. wives sisters and
daughters who have shared and sYmpa-
thized ia all the triumphs and reverses OF
the Old Commonwealth. Never mind
about the location, let that be a matter for
generous rivalry, If you please-award the
site to the highest bidder if no better plan
suggests itself, but give the girls a Uniyer-
sity equal in all essentials to the one at Ok
ford, to which we all point with SO much
pride. Lagislate it into existence, appro-
pirate the money for the buildings and the
salaries of the faculty; appoint trustees to
locate it and superintend its construction.
and you will immortalize the Legislature
of 1882 and the administration of Bob
Lowry.
EDITORS CLARION: The above extract,
from the Summit Times and Sentinel, indi-
Gates what the people expect from the Leg
islature of 1882 in the matter of female ed
ucation. Careful perusals of the proceed
ings of that honorable body shows that
they are not unmindful Of the will of their
constituents. Up to this time three bills
for State University College for women
have been introduced-one by Senator No
| land, one by Representative Whitney, and
third by Senator S. NJ. Roane. Of the
provisions of the first two bills | am iguor-
ant. The CLARION of the 29th inst gave
synopsis of the bill introduced by Sena-
tor Roane. Its provisions appear, in the
main, to be most excellent, and it would
seem that the knotty problem of what the
| State should do for her white daughters is
in fair way to be solved successfully.
One clause, however, of this admirable bill
1 must critieise, begging the Senators
pardon for the liberty | take Quot
ing from THE CLARION " the bill provides
for the appointment of nine trustees, five
tees are married men, or even if they are
not woman is sufficiently power behind
the throne" to make her influence felt in
the management of the institution. Our
unmarried females are scarcely yet "equi-
ped for the responsibilities of so grave trust,
and our married women have all they can
do at home. Years hence some of its own
Alumnae who would best understand its
needs, might aid in successfully administer
ing the affairs of the institution, and there
fore, the ends of justice would be met if the
be females
1t has been shown through the columns
of the CLARION that a State Female College
would not injure existing colleges. The
other expedient of the State extending aid
to existing schools has been shown to be
impracticable because unconstitutional, and
now, if there is indeed a more excellent way to
benefit the white females of Mississippi it
devolves upon the advocates of that way to
prove it. The only possible objection left
to State Female College is the expense OF
such an institution. But if IGNORANCE
does not produce a dollar" if education
makes producers of consumers, then it is
economy to educate even at great pecuniary
cost Again, if man makes and woman
spends the income, ought not she be edn-
Gated 50 as to be able to plan, and manage
and spend wisely and well, what is laid at
her feet by her willing lord And here let
me add that this plea for the education OF
woman is made, not that she might
enter legislative halls, handle the ballot-box,
or wear judicial ermine-but that she may
better fulfill the great end of her creation
That she may be an help-meet indeed, not
only to man but to herself, to her neighbor,
and the cause of God.
As the genial waters of the Gulf stream
effect even the climate of far off Iceland, 80
the influence OF a State Female College
would be felt from border to border of our
beloved Mississippi, melting away the ice
bergs of ignorance and causing flowers of
mental excellence to bloom.
The opponents Of this good cause-and I
grieve to say, it has opponents, (Satan him
ders every good work. assert lightly that
the members of the Legislature who favor
it have an elephant upon their hands. .
Whilst the movement is progressive and
each step must be taken cautiously to avoid
mistakes, believe the friends of the meas.
ure will be equal to the task. That the Leg
islature of Mississippi will some day ordain
a State Female College l have not the
shadow of doubt It is believed that the
Legislature of 1882 possesses both the abili-
ty and the willingness for this work, and all
feel confident that the cause of Mississippi's
daughters rests safe in the hands Of Missis-
sippi's sons.
Respectfully,
4 MISSISSIPPI WoMAN,
The Lien Law