Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-03-15
AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL.
A Quasi-system Of Higher Education
Which is Higher Only in the
Price Asked for It.
An Institution Which Will Have to Gut
Of the "Btceteras' or 60 Into
Complete Bankruptcy,

AUSTIN, TEX, March IL In his de-
tense of the university MANAGEMENT,
publ shed in THE GAZETTE of the 9Th
inst, Mr.. Simpkins, regent, assumes
that, as THE GAzETrE's Austin cor
respondent Ia VERY young man, who
never attended college or univer.
sity", therefore he can know nothing
about the affairs Of such an institution.
This is doubtless very delicate hint
to the 100000 tsx-psyers in Texas,
who, like THE GAzETTE's young man,
lack the erudition conferred by univer-
sity training, that in the presence OF
regental authority they should politely
that's off," With respect to himself,
TIE GAZETTE correspond
ent desires to state that Regent Simp-
kins commits very serious and mex
cusable blunder. Not only was he
one Of those immortal 2l9 to whom
reference Is made with such pardon
able pride rs now enjoying the
practical results of regental wisdom,
but he barely escaped becoming an
effigy-burning kid by resignation a few
days prior TO the introduction Of that
branch OF political science into the cur
riculum. In this connection, at the
risk OF appearing impertinent, the
question is put TO Regent Simpkins as
to whether or not IL ~ true, as claimed
by the "vandalsr that of eight regents
only one or two have tasted the sweets
OF university education. In justiiica-
ton, however, of the superior wisdom
assumed in the communication refer
red to, 1t is but just TO Col. Simpkins
to state that he IL included In the bill
of exceptions.
1t may be, perhaps II is, ignorance,
and yet great many people cannot
see what this has to do with the ques-
ton at issue, whether or not the
regents have mismanaged their trust.
1t Is very common argument here
with the defenders CT the regents TO
charge ignorance and stupidity upon
the part of those who question any
feature of their actions. As one OF
these, THE GAzETrE's young man
pleads guilty TO the indictment; hav-
Ing acquired a little log-cabin aIithme.
tic, he is unable by any system OF
mathematics, known 10 that
outskirt OF education, to solve
the financial problem sug.
gested in the present condition of the
university, but which such careful
pains are taken to conceal. 1t Is this
With an annual expenditure Of about
$50 900 and an annual income OF
S45 goo, how can the university he
long maintained without the official
decapitatlon Of few regents whose
names IL would perhaps be imp0lite Il
mention here, or the bouncing OF sew
eral professors III university educa
ton has demonstrated that individ
uals or even public institution
can spend $1,000 a year be
yond their income and retail
their financial integrity, 1t is indeed |
blessing which should be widely dis
seminated. Unfortunately for the re
gents, the statistics show that, Will
starting out with 5000 900, of which
they spent not quite 100000 on tn
building and equipments, the availabl
balance is now only SOS, 900, giving
deficiency of $50, 600 In little over on
and one-half session. The regents en
deavor to shield themselves behind tn
university, and damn all VIII
criticise them as vandals ", enc
mics OF higher education an
doodle-bug economists yet
is q TACT, which they canno
ignore, that unless some change
speedily accomplished, within thre
years the university must go int
complete and hopeless bankruptcy
The collapse draws nearer every day
and the regents themselves realize II
as has been developed by some OF thel
proceedings, yet they go on increasini
Expenditures with n recklessness un
paralieled on Wall street. The ma
circulation last year was 2l9, this yea
IL Is only 203 (Mr. Simpkins got til
figures nixed) and yet with an actna
decrease In attendance the regents add
ed five professors, giving facult
OF thirteen to teach an average attend
snce of about 100. Does anyone woi
der at the growth OF vandalism?
A great parade is made of the sal,
ries paid by foreign universities. /
one instance at least, they have bee
stated incorrectly. The university
Virginia only pays one professor $500
and that is DIR. Mallett, who is neitb'
In Philadelphia nor London Ak Is int
mated by Regent Slmpkins but is holt
ing his old position, from which b
was called to Texas. But without II
vestigatIng further the accurac
of the figures presented,
is better TO go direct
to the salient point; what are our ow
professors worth? Mind, you, Tn
Question OF salaries was never rAist
by THE GAZETTE correspondent.
was the number and not the salaries
, professors to which he objected, b
| since the issue Is pressed he Will n
dodge II. Can Regent Slmpkins nan
a single member OF the faculty. wit
Z one exception. who ever received ov
: $500 per Rnnum before coming her
Is it not a fact that the
Z cupants Of two important chai
!, never held position !
fore IN any university, or
lesst filled subordinate positions?
: the entire faculty OF thirteen, ca1 X
gent Simpkins name three that ha'
held similar positions la other univer
!. ties. Without mincing words, all u
!. talk about Johns Hopkins, Yale, HIS
ward and Vanderbilt Is mere ''gobber
gosh," and originated with "a We
A.. -.