The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-01-13

satisfactory. Prot lnman l.. Page, The
principal OF the faculty, is q most accom-
plished teacher, and is in every way pecu-
liarly fitted for the work of educating bis
race. TIE State has hitherto shown a lib
erai spirit 10 dealing with this school, and,
in the light of that liberaliiy, can fear
Dothiug for the future. The appropria-
tons for it should be commensurate With
its wants. The following extract from
letter from Prof. Page to myself is worthy
of consideration:
STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE.
Session of I5S
Session OF las
Session OF IL 2-S5.-.-. -.-..- 700
Session OF Isl
From prestu: indications we shall have
at the close of this session nearly 200 We
have graduated thirty-three students, of
whom twenty-four are now engaged in the
profession of teaching, and, so far as / have
been able to learn, are giving satisfaction.
OF The whole number Of graduates only one
has brought reproach upon the school by
immoral conduct.
The most pressing. need of the institute
at present is an appropriation sufficiently
large to pay our teachers as good salaries
as are paid at similar Institutions else
where. II is becoming difficult TO keep our
best teachers, because better inducements
have been offered them. You know how
much the prosperity of an institution of
learning depends upon the retention year
after year of the most successful teachers.
think you will agree with me that the In
stitute should have as large an sppropria-
ton fer maintenance as any other normal
school in the state.
THE UNIVERSITY.
The University moves steadily onward in
its career of great usefulness and prosperity.
The catalogue of the year ending in June,
1884, shows 573 students and 90 gradus-
tions. Up to the present time OF the cur
rent year, which will end June, 1885, nearly
500 students have entered. 1t is worthy of
public notice as marking The ripe intelli-
gence and progressive character of the pres
ent management Of the university, that the
last catalogue announced modification of
the academic course which is now in pro-
gress of successful realiz alton, and which,
to quote the language of the catalogue, page
100: "Had Ia view the realization of our
m in idea, viz that Of giving greater
prominence than hitherto to the physical
sciences in the academic work of the uni
versity. This is accomplished In two ways:
First, by bringing the science to the front,
In the early part of the course, and as
sociating them with the language work for
elementary disciplinary purposes: second,b
organizing the science work in the success
siye stages of the cJurses, SO as to provide for
progressive advancement 10 higher attain
ments therein than is otherwise practicable
Public attention is also asked to a distin
gushing feature OF the university found in
in the agricultural department. The agri-
cultural and mechanical college has organ
lied a strictly industrial and professional
course of studies. The completion of this
farmers course is attested by the degree
and diploma of bachelor of agriculture Its
central purpose is to educate the farmer
rather than the citizen, to give a special
rather than general education Standing
in the same relation to the art and vocation
or farming that the medical college does TO
the medical profession that the law
school does to our legal profession; or
that school of engineering does to our
internal improvements; or normal course
to the work of teaching. 1t must be borne
in mind, however, that the complete course
of the agricultural college is not only pro-
fessional but academic. 1t aims not
merely at special, but also at general cul-
ture. The academic part of the work is
assigned into four courses, with the CORES
ponding degrees and diplomas, on complet
ing the same, of bachelor of arts, bachelor
of science, bachelor of letters and bachelor
of domestic arts, for young women. Wom-
an is not overlooked in this comprehensive
curriculum. The student, however, may
enter at once on the professional business
course in agriculture, and after that is COM
pieted take the academic course, if his
means permit, and his taste impel him to
do so. BY this plan the farmer is made
first and the general scholar and citizen af-
forwards, and more a manly result is reas-
onably anticipated and surely attained.
Students aiming at other colleges 60 to
work at once on their professional studies
as soon as they are in possession of the nee
essary elements of doing so. 1t may be
said that this method is at issue with, and
inyerts the practices of agricultural col
leges. This is not true, but it is of no con-
sequence If il be, as it is, In fact, in har-
mony with the sound educational princi-
ciples, which the experiences of this prsc-
tical age has sanctioned. Our youth gain
both time and strength by this method,
and they pursue the after course of culture,
provided In the agricultural college of the
university, with more sest and profit than
they do by wearisomely wading through as
preparatory to their agricultural studies for
-lsok Il e, <1- L. II $500