Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-18
FRIDAY EVENING, NAY Is, 1883
The university Of Tennessee.

The University Of Tennessee.
The MorristOwn Gazette, in an ar
ticle which appears elsewhere, makes
an appeal on behalf of the University
of Tennessee, at Knoxville, which
should be read all over the State, and
receive special attention at the hands
of Representatives and Senator'S who
have the authority to appoint students
to this time honored institution. The
University, in its original endowment
from the mother State of North Car
DINA, is almost if not quite IS old as
the State of Tennessee. IL is thor
oughly equipped and delightfully."- sit
uated at a point overlooking
the city Of Knoxville and
the winding Tennessee river,
and 10 full view Of grand ranges of
mountains. Healthfulness of climate,
good moral influences, refined society,
accessibility to churches of all denom-
nations, a semi military yet paternal
discipline, we'll stocked hOrticultuN
raj hall and museum, and well sup
plieda scientific departments, with a
large and able faculty, are some of the
advantages of the University. 1t is
State institution, allied with and in
Guiding an Agricultural College sus-
tanned by the Federal government.
Members Of the Legislature seem not
to have worked as they might have
done, or even to have taken pains to
let it be known that they had appoint
ments at their disposal. The great
majority utterly neglect to fill their
quota of free scholarships.
There is by State law an organic con.
nection between the University and
public schools, and SO with the Coun-
ty Superintendent of those schools.
Yet the competitive examinations of
public school pupils for free scholar
ship in the University are not held as
provided by law, except in a few in
stances. This may be because so few
pupils are prepared to enter the col
Iegiate course. Shelby county is en-
titled to four Senatorial scholarships
and fifteen Representative scholar
ship-totai. nineteen. Ten appoint
ments have been made, leaving nine
vacancies. Over and above this
Shelby, Fayette and Hardeman coun-
q ties united have five more vacancies,
which, added to Shelby's nine, makes
a total Of fourteen. But this is not
all yet. By an order Of the Board Of
Trustees last winter each County
Superintendent Of public schools
may appoint, tuition free, two.
students, add six for Shell
BY, Fayette and Hardeman coun-
ties to the above ID and there are 20
cadets who may be appointed from
them to the University. And yet the
last report of t1e State Superintendent
Of Public Instruction shows that there
were enrolled pupils in the public
schools Of Fayette county: studying
arithmetic, $50; studying English
grammar, 389; geography, 4O7; U. s..
History, 239. Hardeman county does
not furnish similar statistics but there
were as many or more teachers, and
presumably as many pupils studying
the above named branches. In Shelby
county there were 1850 pupils study
ing arithmetic; 1870 in English gram
mar; 500 in geography, and 5O37 in U.
s. History. From such numbers it is
reasonable to suppose that some would
be glad to persue collegiate course
and to avail themselves of the
vacant free scholarships in the Uni
Versity, if they only knew Of the op.
portunity. The expenses are com
paratiVely small. About $155 will
pay for the board of State studeat
for forty weeks, for his college fees,
fuel, lights. washing and a cadets
uniform and cap. There may be some
other individual expenses, but they
are not necessarily large. The rail
road fare from Memphis to Knoxville
will be about sl2.66, and he can be
returned free il it is actually neoes-
sary. These facts are set forth on be-
half of the cause of higher education
and State institution, which has few
equals and deserves the support and
encouragement Of every citizen Of
Tennessee.
Still HarpiDg on my Daughter.
The Nashville Ranner of the 18th