The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-09-04
The State University.

1
THE STATESMAN has been the con-
istent friend of the University of
Texas. 1t labored zealously in behalf
If its location at Austin, in faver of
Is land and money endowmehts, has
appealed to its trustees to protect it
IN all its rights, to utilize its property
to the best advantage, and to hold IL
tie to it for the security of its future
greatness as an educational institu-
ton. 1t has watched its painful strug
giles with the deepest solieitude, has |
been at one time elated with it |
promised glories. and then |
at its misfortunes.
One year ago the university started
with brilliant prospects; its corps of
professors embraced some Of the most
men in the country, and
its curriculum was made of a stan
dard rejecting credit upon the instr
tuition. While everything possible
was done by its trustees and
faculty to make it "uni-
versity of the first-class,' as
set forth in constitutional provi-
sions for its establishment and main
tenance, the cold hand Of the state
government fell upon it. and while it
should have grown vigorously it was
chilled and failed to develop, as it
should have done, in the springtime
Of its existence. The frigid influences
that weighed heavily upon the insti-
tuition created dissatisfaction in the
minds of the faculty, and at enc time
it seemed as though all its ablest pro-
fessors would be lost. Men who
have devoted their lives to
the cause of education, who
have labored hard, as professors, to
mount the ladder of fame, and who
have thus won distinction II the edu-
cationaI and scientific world, can i'll
afford to immune themselves in even a
state university's walls, into which
the power of governors penetrate
with chilling effect. While such
powerful influences detrimentally af-
fleet the success Of an institution,
science and learning grow cold, and
those who are thus devotees yearn
for congenial influences, where re-
search may be free and regulations
become enlarged. 1t is needless to re
peat a story here told so often and by
so many, that probably the two most
distinguished professors of the univer-
sity severed their connection with it
because of the influences above re-
tered to. They dared not stake their
regulations with an institution over
which influence operated to degrade
its intended character in the educa-
| tional world. Political ends sought
which have now been attained, may
have relieved the chief administration
of the state from what, it may be
hoped, was only pretended opposition
to the university, and it is hoped, as
well, that the power which has here.
tofore exercised strong influence in
opposition to the constitutional re-
quirements of the university, may
be turned in its favor, and
that the ground lost in its
organization and conduct may be re-
gained. Every element in the state
should conspire to make this state uni
versity what the constitution makers
said it should be, university of the
first class. This means first-class
buildings, appliances and operati; it
means first-class professors and tutors
and first-class management. Whether
the worth of the university has
been affected by the loss OF
two most eminent professors is use.
less to discuss. The men called to fill
their places may maintain the charac
ter of schools as frst-class; they
may even surround their departments
with greater brilliancy, and more
rapidly assist in building up univer.
sity such as public endowments call
for. Surely every professor, and
every attache of the institution, it's
trustees as far as they know how to
manage a university, will do all in
their several powers to build up and
maintain this institution, for which re
gardless of the doctrines of political
demagogues, every citizen of Texas is
destined soon to entertain the most
profound interest. In few days the
second annual session of the univer
sity begins. Some misgivings are ex.
pressed as to the success of this second
opening, but THE STATESMAN
expresses the earnest hope that it will
surpass the expectations of the most
sanguine friends Of the institution.
Tuition in this university IS abso-
lutely free, free as the air we breathe.
1t is a fountain of learning, wher G
any boy or girl may come and drink
copiously and without price. 1t is
the head of a great educational sys-
tenn, prospectively inferior to no other
upon the broad globe.