The Grenada gazette., 1889-03-14
GEN. s. D. LEES PAPERS.
AGRICULTURAL AND MECRANI.
CAL COLLEGES.
The Federal Law Providing for Agri.
cultural CoiIeges-Land Donated
BY Congress- How Expended.
Interesting Facts.
ARTICLE NO. II.

cation, and attempted to show that the
practical workings of those institutions
inclined them to favor the professions;
and in the changes which they had in
troduced to meet the want of the pres
ent day, they still were partial to the
better educated and wealthier classes
of society. That though half Of the
population Of the United States were
engaged IN agriculture, the basis of all
arts and wealth, they made no provision
for teaching agriculture, either as an
art or Us science. That in consequence
OF this partiality one-half of our popu-
lation-not farmers-were accumulat-
ing wealth to an abnormal degree.
causing great depression among the
farming classes. This l showed BY
statistics. showed also that in the
common schools little disposition was
shown to teach the elements of agricul-
ture, although new studies were being
constantly added. That the drift and
tendency was for population to move
and live in cities, instead of building up
wealth in the country. That new con-
dtions were affecting the farmer which
made it absolutely necessary for him to
b. educated in order to compete with
the better educated classes.
Congress saw this, and saw also how
difficult it would be to change suddenly
the entire theory of education, and by
the Act of 1862 provided by endow-
ment for the establishment of new col
leges. having for their leading oDjecL
'ihe benefit OF agriculture and The me-
chanical arts" so rs to reach and ben
eft the very large class engaged in the
pursuit of agriculture Gone half of rop.
ulation), and also those engaged in me-
chan;cal pursuits; also to increase the
number of educated persons. recruiting
them from the classes not attracted to,
Or attending the then existing colleges
and universities. These Agricultural
and Mechanical Colleges are not in.
tended TO snppant The UldUr tsta blished
colleges they could not be di>pensed
witty but to provide additional educa-
tional facilities more practical and on q
difleren! theory. TO provide edu a.
tional facilities for the large number
not artial to classical instruction, bnt
who attach equal Importance to modern
classics; for the large class who believe
that modern sc ences which deal with
modern industries, are more utilitarian
in value. and present shorter road to
; enable one to provide for support than
the ancient classics TO meet the wants
OF this large class. Congress passed the
law of 1862, sta@ng in the caption o.
the Act that t was ito benefit agricul-
ture and The mechanic arts" and 40
promote the liberal and practical edu-
cation of the indus trial classes IN the
several pursuits and professions of lie "
These e quotations show that Congress,
although intending to create bias in
favor of agriculture and mechanical
arts. did not intend to make an iron.
clad rule, and contine young men who
attended these colleges to these two
pursuits, but TO allow them the same
latitude in selecting their callings, as
were allowed young men attending any
other colleges. for the law says "the
several pursuits and professions OF life
The law of Congress (ls62) was ian
act doua,ing public lands to the several
States and Territories which may pro-
vide colleges for the benefit of agrlcul-
tural and mechanical arts 1t gave to
each State and Territory at the rate of
$4,000 acres OF public lands, or "scrip"
representing it, for each Senator and
Representative in Congress. The land,
or money obtained by sale was to con-
stitute perpetual endowment fund and
only the interest to be used for the en-
dowment, support and maintenance of
at least one college, where the leading
object shall be (wIthout excluding other
scientific and classical studies and in
cluding military tacticsl to teach such
branches of learning rs are related to
agriculture and the mechanical arts.
and in such manner as the Legislatures
of the States may prescribe, in order to
promote the beral and practical edu-
cation of the industrial classes in the =!
several pursuits and professions of lifc."
The different sections OF the act bring
out the conditions of the gift, and its
acceptance, viz: How the fund shall
be invested; how If any portion Of the
fund or interest Is lost ''by any act or
contingency it shall be replaced
by the State to which it belongs. en-
cepting only 'that sum not exceeding |
10 per cent. Of the amount received
/" may be expended for the purchase Of
lands for sites Of experimental farms
mo portion Of said fund or the in
terest thereon shall be appropriated
directly or indirectly, under any pre-
tense whatever. to the purchase, erec-
ton, preservation or repair Of any build
ing or buildings. How anv State ac-
coping lhe gift, shall provide In five
years at least one oollege. wIere the
leading object shall be to teach such
branches OF learning as are related to
agriculture and the mechanic arts" o
the gran, shall be void. and the State
shall return the money. It appears
that Congress, knowing how these gifts
had been previously lost especially |
gthlrdsd 'xgahfs tlils odNso fssmigt, !