The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-06
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THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
| Two years ago the General Assembly of In
diana gave to the State University what it
struggle for existence-the basis Of perma-
nent endowment. It's friends then believed
| that it had begun an era of growth in which
it might keep pace with the growth of the
State. In the summer of 1883 it lost by fire
its scientific building, valued at $40, 900. In
this building were the library, valued at $780,,
600; the museum, valued at $27, ,OOO and the
laboratories of chemistry and physics, worth
some $40, 900. Nothing was left to the insti-
tuition except single building and its income,
amounting, from all sources, to about $780, 900
per year, sum barely sufficient for its run
ming expenses. In this juncture the county
of Monroe gave to the State for the erection
of new buildings the sum of $4,000. With
this sum, and some $4,000 of insurance mon
| ey, two carefully planned fire-proof buildings
have been erected, one for chemistry and
physics the other for natural history. These
have been finished at no cost to the State; but
there are no funds left available for their
equipment. The first need in any college is
the faculty, and in the matter of professors
| and their salaries the university cannot re-
trench. A backward step in this regard is
fatal.
A bill is now before the General Assembly
aprropriating $5OOO to meet the wants of the
university. This sum is to be applied to the
furnishing and heating Of the new buildings,
and to the restoration of the libraries, mu-
seums and laboratories. This sum will not
replace all the losses we understand of
them are irreparable-but it will place the in
stitution once more in a growing condition.
The State cannot afford to do less than this.
Either the State University should be properly
supported, or its doors should be closed.
1t seems to us too late to raise the question
of the desirability of State support to the
higher schools. Every State in the Union
is now committed to the policy, and Indiana
will not be the first to abandon It, The
journal has looked not unfavorably on the
idea Of the consolidation of our three State
institutions in one university. We must
recognize the fact, however, that the wisdom
of such consolidation is questioned by prob
ably majority Of those whose experience in
technical education gives them right to be
heard. 1t seems also quite certain that con-
soldation will not be accomplished, and agi-
tation of this subject now, therefore, simply
Injuries the existing institutions.
It is certainly true, as has been urged that
were the State now selecting seat for the
State University, Bloomington would not be
chosen. 1t would probably be given to the
highest bidder and many richer towns could
outbid Bloomington. Bloomington is small,
slowly growing, old fashioned town, Of no
political importance and rather difficult of ac
cess 1t is, however, healthy location, with
attractive surroundings, and its population
has the old fashioned virtues of hospitality
and sobriety. The average expense of stu
dent at the State University is said to be less
than 5000 year We know of no other col
lege town offering equal advantages for cul-
ture where good board is so cheap With
scarcely an exception the students of the
university are from families in moderate cir
cumstances. 1t is the poor mans college, and
the best students in this OF any other State
are to be found among those who have to
struggle for an education. If the institution
were removed to city, this class would be
cut off from attendance, and the tone of the
institution would be correspondingly weak
| ened.
When the State of Indiana is ready to fur
nish the money necessary to bring the best
minds of this and neighboring States to
Bloomington, the disadvantages of location
will disappear, and the State University will
become credit to the State. An income of
| $3.50, 900 judcously expended will build up
an Ann Arbor anywhere.
-@2A@Mu.M~eN-
KHARTOITM is in the hands of the Mahdi