The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-15

100000, the university has, by careful
calculation, since its organization
been directly or indirectly instru-
mental in keeping in the state, Sli,-
100000. The state of Virginia has
given to the university, in buildings,
apparatus and special appropriations,
the sum total of Sl,OO00O0, and the
university has returned to the state
nearly S20.O00,OO0. Consequently, as
money-making establishment, Il
university of high grade is one of the
best investments in which a state can
put its money. The career of this
same university, that has proven so
successful as financial venture. illus
trates another most important
fact of which we should take note.
The happy reaction upon the schools
of subordinate rank has infused new
life and vigor into them. The col
leges, high schools and private acade-
mics, presided over by the graduates
of that institution, are to be found in
all parts of the state of Virginia, and
many of them derive the greater
part of their support from the south
ern states. Prior to the existence of
the university, either there were no
schools or they were practically
worthless. At this very time Texas
is paying yearly at least $3o0,0OO to
other states for such advantages in
higher education as we ought to have
at home. At the present rate of in
crease in population and wealth, we
will soon be paying 81 100000. The re-
tention of this large sum will be one
of the immediate results of organic
ing our university, provided it gives
the same grade of instruction that can
be gotten elsewhere. Another imme-
diate effect will be a quick
ening of the educational pulse
in all schools subordinate to
the university. This last is no
small part of the good that will ac-
crue to the people from the proper
equipment and organization of the
university. While some are arguing
against the university, it is not lit
tie remarkable that all the nations
and petty sovereignties of the globe
have their universities of high grade.
Not one depends upon the charity of
another for higher education, any
more than it depends upon others
for bread and clothing. While lower
schools are wanting in some, at least
one university, and often several, are
found. The university seems every
where to be an indispensable part OF a
well ordered system of education; and
rightly is this so, for it is the province
of the university to educate men for
the profession of teaching. 1t should
educate them not only in regard to
what to teach, but also how to teach.
Abroad the various countries credited
with universities and their number
are; England 4, Scotland 4, Ire
land ,, Germany 20. Austria
:. Switzerland 3, Italy IL,
Spain 10, Portugal l, Netherlands 3,
Belgium 1, Denmark 1.Sweden 2, Nor
way |, Russia 8, Greece 1, Roumania
=, Servia l, Turkey l, Australia 3, New
Zealand l, Cairo l, India 3, Canada 3.
Japan, by recent legislative enactment.
has made provision for eight univer-
sites. Most of the South American
countries have universities. The Ar
gentine Republic has ,. Chilli l, Bolivia
3, Peru q, Columbia |, Venezuela |.
Costa Rica l, Nicaragua ,, San Saliva
dor l, Guatemala l. With few excep-
tons all the states of the American
Union have universities, and those
that have not will have as soon as
population and finances permit of it..
The functions of a university are so
vitality necessary in any system of
popular education. that these func-
lions can no more be delegated to uni
versities of other states and countries
than one man can resign to
another the duty of eating,
sleeping and breathing for him
Viewed in the narrowest sense of
which it is susceptible-that of a
financial venture-the question for
our law makers to decide is, "Shall we
give one million, and save many mil
lions to the state?" If we mistake
not the temper of the members of the
eighteenth legislature, they have
pretty well determined that Texas
shall no longer be a pensioner on the
bounty of other states and countries.
They will not send our university on
its career so crippled in its finances,
and so hampered in the exercise of its
legitimate functions. as to draw upon
it the ridicule and contempt of those
who would cherish it. There is too
much craftsmanship and patriotism
and intelligence in the legislature,
and in our governor, to warrant a
moments uneaSiness about the fate of
the university.