The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-15
A PIKsT-CLAss UNIVERSITY.
DALLAS Feb. 6. ISS:

4
To the Editor Of The Statesman;
| have read with unusual interest
the report of the university regents,
and their eloquent appeal 10 the iegis-
lature for such an endowment fund
rs will make the univ ersity what both
the constitution and the law declare
il shall he. - university of the first
class"
Neither the constitution nor the
law tells what a first class university
Is. The constitution has left much
latitude TO the legislature. and 1t in
turn has left much to the regents.
The regents. at much personal
trouble and inconvenience, have
sought TO inform themselves fully in
regard to their duties. In their report
TO the legislature, they declare their
inability to do what they are by law
required TO do, because of the insult
cheney of the funds placed at their dis
posal.
The case. H. | understand it, seems
to he this: The constitution requires
the establishment of first class uni
versity, whatever that may mean; and
the legislature is commanded TO
carry this command into eXecu-
ton. In the discharge of this spe
citic duty il authorizes the governor
To appoint a number of gentlemen
! termed regents, who are charged with
the duty OF organizing the university.
They find that to carry out their in
Structions according to the spirit and
letter of the law. they must have a
greater Understanding fund. What
| do they do in the premises? Why,
| quite naturally they go back to he
very body that created them, and by
whom they We're commanded to make
! this university. and tell them that the
university fund is deplorably INSULT
cient to accomplish what they are
hidden to do. This may be unpalata-
| bic information, but there is no Ques-
| ton of its correctness. The legiNla-
| ture cannot legitimately exercise the
I option of disseminating the work be-
cause of its expense. The Constitu-
! ton says: Go on. Create the uni
! versty and make it first class in ali
/ particulars. You are hereby express
/ " enioined to set apart such "a fund
* Will give an ample annual revenue
| for defrdying the expenses incident to
! the institution"
The legislature, it occurs 10 ME, has
/ a very simple duty to perform: a
/ plain constitutional requirement to
carry ont. l don't see how they can
/ fail to make suitable provision to
meet the expenses of the university.
unless they have the constitution
amended, or else " antonly disregard
/ its most positive iniunctions. As a
/ matter of course. they will do neither
[ in the present case. | have always
! thought that the opinion of individual
! members as to the necessity or desir-
! ability of the university has nothing
| in the world to do with their duty in
/ the matter. The constitution is the
| master, and they are on oath to obey
that master If they fail to render
implicit obedience, they would he
guilty of perjury. The servant vir-
| tually Surrenders the exercise of his
| Judgment in all those cases where the
commands are explicit. Such con-
ceive to he the case in regard to the
| university.
The people in this section believe
that the legislature will defer to the
Judgment of the regents, and act ac-
cordingly. No question or matter
| likely to come before that body eXcites
a keener interest among the intelli-
| gent classes than its probable action
III respect to the university. It's sue
cessful inauguration will mark new
era in the educational interests of the
state. Now, Mr.. Editor, pray do not
understand me as saying anything re-
flecting on the legislature, or as I'M
dertaking to advise it in regard to its
duties. Nothing of the sort. | have
spoken of the university and the leg
iSlature from a purely abstract stand
point. So far as this section is con-
cerned, | have heard many express
sions Of opinion in regard to the legis-
lature and its work, and they are uni
formiy favorable. Here, were enter
tain no doubt that it will do its full
duty in respect to the university and
other matters requiring legislative
] action. AGRICOLA.