The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-20

another which affects favorably the minds of
visitors to any commonwealth, it is the attitude
which that commonwealth assumes to educa-
tlonal and charitable interests. Respecting the
State University, 1T is no longer question of
situation That institution will live or die where
she now stands. All her interests, her tradi-
items, center about that spot, and she could
never root herself anew. That institution is
child of the State, but thus far has seemed more
like an outcast than something to be nourished
For years she mas been compelled to stand at the
door OF the Legislature more ia the attitude
of beggar with favors to ask than as an insti-
tuition whose service to the State makes her in
d1spensible. And only unUil recently have her
accommodating sons and daughters been able to
compel by argument and by facts, an act look
ing to an adequate foundation in the coming
years. There is no diguising the fact that very
considerable part of the opposition manifested
heretofore has sprung from local jealousy But op-
position that springs from this cause is founded
in narrowness and prejudice Who does not
know that the prosperity of one institution when
achieved honorabiy means added prosperity to
the rest. No true alumuus of the State Univer
sity would for moment begrudge the good
fortune OF DePauw. No true friend of Indiana
feel other than thrill of pleasure when that
gentleman announces his most princely gift
Such acts are part of the noble heritage of the
just And whether it be Buffers. or Hanovers,
or Wabashs or Earlhams good fortune; whether
1T be private munifcence or pablo bequests
when properly viewed it all mergeS into one
an2SnlHcenI CROWN. MOI q Dr1ck was LAID In the
walls of Bloomington's college buildings which
did not tell for good upon every institution,
far or near. Men ask for adequate re-
turns When the record of the alumni of this
institution is written it will be enough, to say
nothing of the multitudes who have been touched
by her influence and elevated They say the in
stitution is unknown. How will they expect it
to vie with Ann Arbor, or Harvard. or Johns Hop
kins. when in these institutions salaries from
S3. 900 to $40 600 are not esteemed too much, and
that without any uncertainty of tenure, IT so
much is needed to call and hold competent men.
These institutions, which make famous their
States and cities, and are as household words In
the mouth of every aspiring youth in this Nation,
command resources which multiply buildings,
and stock them with the best material
for training. and call to their pro-
ional reputation. But this State-a State
which assumes to be leader in educational pro
gress, with a policy of State support for State
neutrality-suspicious. to raise dwarf Rather
does it seem a matter of wonder that our legis-
lators, instead of seeking to render useless their
appropriation, by its inadeQuaey, did not double
it. do not believe that the people Of this State
desire any such policy / believe they want
Indiana put In the vanguard OF the States in
every particular. And / believe that, if the
State, recognizing as completely the measure of
her responsibility to her young men as she does
to her little children, should build up her State
institutions of learning until they shall be
known as Harvard is known, she will find this
the surest and most effective way of cementing
the foundations of her greatness. At all events,
every sensible man will surely concur with you
in your conclusion that if the State proposes to
continue as an agent in affor6ing higher instruc-
ton let it be done as becomes State of her mag
nitude and Importance or let her resign this work
entirely into private hands. ALUMNUs.