Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-26
The STATE University.

\ matter on which the Legislature will
be called to act this session is the request
Of the state University for additional
funds. The matter is urgent. and does
not admit Of pOstpOnement. The Trus-
tees Of the University, who have the
reputation Of being capable men, have
studied the situation carefully, and ma
that with their present means IL Is impos-
sible 10 maintain the University and the
branch colleges. What is to be donef
Either the branch colleges must be
abandoned or the resources OF the Univer-
sitv must be increased. There is only one
source. the Legislature, from which there
is anv hope Of obtaining additional funds.
Ii is admitted that if it were not for the
drain Of the branches, the University
would not need aid at this time. The
question which will present itself TO the
Legislature when the request for an APP
preparation is presented Is, whether the
branch colleges have accomplished any
thing which justifies their continuance.
1t i stated that they detract from
the Importance Of the University
because a diploma from branch college
Is regarded with almost as much favor as
one from the parent institution. II there
were no branch colleges a larger number
Of students would attend the University.
II was thought when the branch colleges
were established that they would act as
feeders 10 the University. This has not
proven TO be the case to the extent that
was expected. Tersely stated, the
branches have hurt rather than helped
the University. 1t Is not denied however,
that the branches have accomplished
good work. They have afforded hundreds
Of young men an opportunity
to obtain fair education who
were without the means to avail them
selves ofthe advantages ofthe University.
What they have done cQmmends them to
the people Of the entire State, anddeserves
the careful consideration of the Legisla-
ture before their claims are passed upon.
They have been a drawback rather than
an advantage to the University, because
they have drawn from the University
more than the University was able to give
them. For want Of means the University
has not grown and prospered as its
friends would like TO see it prosper. Its
buildings are ont of repair. Its professors
are poorly paid. Ii lacks a hundred
things that are considered necessary
in a first-claSs educational Institution.
In its struggle TO reach the rank it ought
TO occupy it has found itself always en-
barrassed 10y economical considerations.
II its resources were ample it could and
would make itself so much superior TO
what il is now that it would have all the
students it could accommodate. There
would be no ground for complaint that
the branch colleges hindered its growth.
The situation which presents itself is
this: If this Legislature does not make
liberal appropriation for the University
the branch colleges must be aban-
doned. The funds Of the University are
50 reduced that it can no longer support
them. We want these branch colleges
maintained, and We believe the people of
the State are willing 10 be taxed To
maintain them. The Legislature cannot
afford to permit them to be closed. \ wise
policy would be 10 give the University
what il asks-enOugh to put the branches
on a firm basis. and 70 give the University
itself such an impetus that it would soon
acquire a reputation at home and abroad
that would nil its halls with students and
leave no room for the complaint that the
branches injure il.