The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-02-06
Florida Mirror, Feb. 81
The Agricultural College Fund

The Agricultural College Fund
The trustees Of this fund have had recently
meeting al Tallahassee, and have decided not 70
make any present use Of the fund, but allow the
interest to go on increasing the principal.
They have also delegated one Of their number
to visit several towns in East Florida with q
view to receiving proposals for the location and
erection of an agricultural college building.
We suppose this action proceeds from view
entertained by the trustees that by the law passed
by the Legislature of the State, approved Feb
ruary IS, 1870. they are restricted in their action
to carry out the provisions of that act.
THE ACT OF CONGRESS
The act Of Congress, in pursuance Of which
this act establishing an agricultural college was
passed. seems to be construed by the trustees, or
at least by trustee Tucker, as imperatively re-
quiriBg the agricultural fund to be devoted to
the establishment of an agricultural college per
CONSTRUCTION on THE ACT.
That this was not the intent of Congress, nor
the plain intendment of the law, is clear from
the language Of that act of Congress
The interest shall be inviolably apportioned
TO the maintenance Of at least one college where
the leading object shall be, without excluding
other scientific and classical studies, and ipclud
ing military tactics. to teach such branches of
learning as are related to agriculture and the
mechanic arts in such manner as the Legislature
OF the States may respectively prescribe, in or
der TO promote the liberal and practical educa-
iioa OF the industrial classes In the several pur-
suits and professions of life"
ITS TRUE MEANING.
1t will be seen that the provision made is sole
ly that the interest shall be "apportioned to the
maintenance of at least one college, where the
leading object shall be, without excluding other
scientific and classical studies and including
military tactics, to teach such branches Of learn
ing as are related to agriculture" etc
1t was evidently had in view that in some of
the States 1t might be deemed best that the in
terest should be "apportioned to one or more
colleges then existing, provided that in such COL
leges the purpose of the grant was adhered to
in teaching such branches of learning as are re-
lated to agriculture and the mechanic arts" ETC.
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN 1870.
At the time 1910) when the act establishing an
agricultural college was passed. the two semina-
ries established by law in our State had attained
no prominence, and were, in fact, limited local
schools.
Ii is also 10 be noted that the requirement OF
establishing agricultural colleges had not then
been tried to any extent in any of the States,
and our Legislature had not the benefit of the
experience OF other States TO guide them in the
disposition of the fund.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
For reasons not now necessary to be gone in
to- there was disposition to established the col
lege, and Eau Callie, in the sparsely inhabited
Atlantic coast region Of Brevard county, was
selected. Beyond the erection of an insignif-
cant building in the wilderness nothing has ever
been done, the location being confessedly i'm
proper, and authorized to be changed in 1877 by
actof the Legislature
HOW THEN STANDS THE CASE NOW?
The experiment of separate and distinct agri-
cultural colleges in other States has proved a
failure. 10 most Of the States the interest of the
fund has been given to existing State institu-
tons, with the provision that the branches pro-
This is the case in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky
etc. Why cannot the same course be followed
in Florida
THE SEMINARY ACT.
The act of the Legislature approved January
"a 1857, section 1, provides that " two Semina-
res of learning shall be established, one upon the
east and the other upon the west side of the Su-
wannee river, the first purpose Of which shall be
the instruction Of persons, both male and female,
in the art teaching all the various branches that
pertain 10 good common school education; and
next, TO give instruction in the mechanic arts in
hus5andry and agricultural chemistry, in the fun
and duties of citizens"
Now here we have the same teaching pro-
vided for as that contained in the act of Congress
and in the second section Of the Agricultural
College act.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Why then have two institutions for the same
purpose? Why not make use of the existing or
ganization of the State Scminaries, AMI supple
ment their Seminary Fund with the interest of
this Agricultural Fund and build up strong,
vigorous and valuable State school? The only
answer is, that the existing law of 1870 estab-
fishes an Agricultural College. Then let the
Legislature promptly repeal so much of that law
as looks to a separate Agricultural College, and
provide for the use of the interest in aid of exist
ing Summaries. 1t cannot be questioned that
the Legislature have full power to repeal what
they have enacted, to change its provisions, and
TO harmonic the laws relative both to the Semi
nary and the Agricultural College. If there is
any doubt on the subject, let the opinion of the
Attorney General or the Supreme Court be in
vokcd.
STRICTLY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE OF NO
VALUE.
IL We are 10 have an Agricultural College
per 81, il might we'll remain al Eau Gallie as
elsewhere, as it will accomplish no better results
at one place than another. II may be as success
fnl as the Maryland Agricultural College, which
had splendid building 10 sight of the dome of
the National Capitol. aud had six professors and
niue students.
PROMPT LEGISLATION REQUIRED.
The present Legislature should act promptly
in the matter, and unite the hands of the Trus-
tees and allow the interest of the Fund to be de-
voted where it will 10 the most good
The New Senator from Colorado.
The New York San has this criticism on Col.
OfadOs net In. e1acted Ganator.