The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-20
NONRESIDENT STUDENTS THE
"OTHERS'' OF THE LAW.

IL ID W NC IcSICIGOu CIltL IuO SONCl-
nor has manifested this disposition
to interfere with the naturalization of |
university students from other states. |
1t is said that one of the young men |
now here from another state, wrote to |
Ex-Governor Roberts before he came,
asking the conditions upon which he
might be admitted TO the school of
law, and the ex-governor, professor
elect in the law school, replied to him
that tuition was absolutely free, and
that it would be so extended to him.
There is no man in Texas who has
taken a deeper interest in the or
ganization of the university
than Ex-Governor Roberts. The
university had its origin in his
administration, and, as governor, for
four years, he watched with the deep
est solicitude every move towards
its establishment and Inauguration.
Every law passed in regard to the uni
Yersity was adopted under his advice.
and often by his direction were meas
ureS incorporated in the university
laws. He understands, therefore, the
full spirit and intent of all these laws,
and of subsequent regencyr egula-
lions and from such standpoint he
has said uneQuivocally to non-resi-
dent: "Come to Texas; our university
is now free to the world" Every
step taken supports the learned
law professor in his opinion.
The legislature was directed by
the constitution to Immediately es-
tablish ga university of the first class"
The law providing for the establish
ment of the university says: "The
government of the university shall
| be vested in a board of regents, to
consist of eight members, selected
from different portions of the state,
who shall be nominated by the gov
ernor, and be appointed by and with
the advice and consent Of the
senate" The law fixes the ten
ure of Office of these regents,
and it futher denies their powers. 1t
says: "They shall establish the de-
partments Of first-class university,
determine the officers and professor
ships, appoint the professors (who
shall constitute the faculty, with
authority to elect their own chairman)
and other officers, fix their respective
salaries, and enact such bylaws, rules
and regulations as may be necessary
for the successful management and
government of the university" The
law gives the regency the power "to
regulate the courses of instruc-
tion," to remove professors and
it is constituted, so to
speak, the. university legislature.
Of course, it derives all its powers
from the legislature of the state, and
it has no power except that granted
by the legislature. AS to fees of
students, the law says: "The fee of
admission to the university shall
never exceed $50, and it shall be open
to all persons in the state who may
wish to avail themselves of its adj
vantages, and to male and female on
equal terms, without charge for tuition,
under the regulations prescribed by the
regents, and all others under such
regulations as the board of regents
may prescribe" A strict gramma-
rian would have put a to- betw cen
the last "and" and call Others" but
the meaning is very plain. The pur-
pose of the law is to admit all persons
of the state, as limited by the statute,
/ 70 oil ~ hor GS11ya II orc
lations as the board of regents
may prescribe The regency
displayed wisdom in not dis
eliminating against "others." The
legislature never dreamed of
so narrow minded a policy as to eX-
clude students from other states. 1t
was assumed that almost every young
man or woman who attended the uni
versity of Texas would become a
| citizen Of the state. The STATES
MAN wishes there were a hundred
young people here from other states.
asking admission. The regency has
sole management Of the university,
the members being manned" by the
| SOfOlAOl, OuU dpPOlA1Cu ny OuC
senate. He has no power
to remove a regent, and to substi-
tute another, and the regents are the
sole rulers and legislators for the uni
versity. They have not fixed special
regulations as to the acceptance of
the "others" referred to. We do not
hold that the regents have the power
to so consider such cases, but having
left all matriculants for this session
on the same footing, they will not,
after the session begins, be prevailed
upon to regulate matter, already
fixed in the opinion of all, by silence.
1t was the purpose of the regents, for
this session at least, to make no dis
elimination. All alike pay the fixed
naturalization fee, and what the re-
gency does cannot be undone, except
by a legislature. The nonresident
students may feel at ease.