Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-03-14
AGRICULTURAL AND MEcRANI-
CAL COLLEGES.
State Law ESTABLISHING the College
Conditions. sf csatra~s Made In re-
eetvtax tho Federal Gau sr
Partial Endsw ns~nt-
ARTICLE NO. III.

s9id lnSItnHOus OF iearuings anu %
comply with the conditions specified in
the law. Previous to the passage Of the
State law establishing the colleges
February ~. isss. the interest OF the
fund accepted BY the State had been
divided between the State Univers
Al Oxford. aud Alcorn University.
During the wears the state University
had the benefit Of this fund. very few
students took the agricultural course.
but most all in attendance took the
other courses prescribed or provided
for. The farmers Of the State protested
against this misuse of the fund This
protest was repeatedly made by the
Patrous Of Husbandry (GrangerS.l who
claimed that the condition Of the Fed
ersl gift made Incumbent on the State
to see that the college or colleges
which might enjoy the benefit Of the
gift. should make il leading object
to benefit agriculture and the me-
chanic arts. by teaching such
branches OF learning - are related to
agriculture and the mechanic arts-
They stated that the leading object of
the University al Oxford was to furnish
classical. literary and professional edu-
cation. and that tho State should estab-
lish new colleges separate aud distinct
from the state University To carry ou;
in good faith the eonditions-,mposed By
the Federal law. The late lamenter
Capt Put Dar,ien. Master OF the State
Grange, fought for this one object
MANY years. Il was IN compliance with
this demand Of the farmers Of the State
that the Legislature established the
Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges
The State law establishing the COL
leges. based on the Federal gift, quoted
from the law and enumerated among
the duties assigned 10 the Board %.
Trustees. the establishment and main
ten nee of . first-class institution. at
which the youth of the State may ac-
quire n common school education and n
eientiic and practical knowledge of
agriculture. horticulture and the me
chanic arts. and also the proper growth
and care OF stock. They shall
regulate the course Of study. rates of
tuitIon. mans cement OF experimental
farm. the manner of performing labor
aud the kind of labor TO be performed
by students"
These extracts from the State law
show how the Legislature understood
what was required in accepting the
''iand scrip from the United States.
Successive Legislatures (till the ones of
1887 and lSSs. have made liberal ap-
preparations to carry out the conditions
and in providing the necessary plant Of
buildings. experimental farm. grounds.
eqw oment apparatus. barns. sheds.
silos. machinery. improved implements.
etc. necessary TO making the college
wnat it was intended To be-a first-class
institution-and have provided also
for its support from year to year The
value Of the college property is now
sHl6. Ss6.35. This is a valuable State
property. and stands in same relation
rs the State House. Asvlums and other
buildings n j eksoH. a. State invest
ment IN the interest Of educating the
IA mer BOYS in the State also as the
University build ngs and outht at Ok
forCi-the leading institution and the
oldest The value VI the plant at Ok
ford is about s30u. D0o. TIE exl lcndi-
tire at the Agricultural and Mechanical
College (s-05. $50. Is not unreasonable
when we consider that our State Is an
agricultural Stale. and the farmers nv
So per cent of all the taxes; and It's es-
tabiishment and support was eondi-
ton of acceptance Of the partial endow-
ment from the United States.
The college near Starkyille IS essen
italy an agricultural college. the trus-
tees perfecting this department first.
because four-fifths of our people are en-
gagged in farming. and this is the main
industry to be lifted up first to benefit
the greater number
The college is now ready. and has so
reported 10 the last two Legislatures,
TO add tine mechanicai department
This can BE- done AT slight additional
expense. sufficient 10 erect shops for
wood and iron. and equip them with
the latest tools and machinery for work
ing wood and iron But little change
will be needed in any other direction
The same faculty will answer with the
addition of mechanical engineer,
which the United States government
stands ready TO furnish. in same wav.
as the officer is furnished from the
United States army. to administer dis
c.pline and teach military science. A
slight readjustment of studies. VARYING
the course. according as student de-
sres an agricultural or mechanical
as. is al that is necessary in the cur
riculum.
The Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege is now fully equipped. has all the
necessary buildings. plant. apparatus.
e.c. The main expense 10 the State has
n ready been met All that Is needed
r"w is support from year to year. Just
u y being done Oy the State toward