The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-11

prosper, but there Is no denying the fac
that its constantly increasing demands are
somewhat disturbing TO our people. While
Is benefits are appreciated, there is yet {
common belief that they are not equally dis
tributed. The taxes for its support are pald
under sort of mental protest. We would
be glad to see some plan adopted that would
remove so far as possible this feeling. Tn,
sentiment is not confined to the Ignorant,
but learned and thoughtful men are anxious
ly inquiring what can be done to secure the
prosperity of this great University and re-
move the objections; they are not SO many,
but they arc real and not imaginary. If
some method could be adopted that would
indicate gradual reduction in taxation for
its support, il is believed that the public
would be satisfied to meet its demands for a
season i'm order to maintain its prosperity.
Nearly or quite one-half of the students are
residents of other States. 1t seems to me
that q moderate increase of the amount re-
quired of these would inflct no wrong upon
them nor interfere with the general pros
perity of the institution. And this would
be i'm harmony with the well settled ednca-
tiOnal policy of the State. If nonresident
pupils attend II graded school they are by
Jaw and custom required to pay the expense
of tuition. We are glad that the reputation
and character of our University is such as
to attract students from other countries and
states; we are pleased to have them come to
us. And it is ,lieved that very moderate
| additional charge to each one of the nine
hundred students from abroad would not be
objected to by them. And again, it Is not
customary throughout large portion of the
country to support colleges by taxation.
Indeed the original plan of our University
did not contemplate supporting it so largely
by this means, and the method has crcpt in
through the addition of department after
| department, and u general spreading out
| beyond that originally contemplated.
Wealthy men remember other colleges in
their wills, and what is better remember
them with liberal donations while living.
If something could be done to increase its
endowment in this way, it would point TO
q relief that would be very gratifying; but
as long as all its wants are supplied by tax
alton, the men of wealth and liberality can
not realize the necessity for contributing to
its welfare. OF course this Legislature can
not interfere in the disposition made of prop
erty by individuals, but it is sincerely hoped
that in some way its endowment can be in
creased, and this will insure friendly SEN
timent that will be of permanent value 10
the institution. Thousands of its alumni
have left its classic halls and gone out
to profit by the education there received.
Cannot they be induced to do as others have
by contributing to their Alma Mater.
The estimates contemplate the cons.ruc-
ton of a new hospital, and as the campus is
now nearly all occupied, the plan is to To-
cate 1t outside of the University grounds.
And for the purchase of these grounds and
the construction of a suitable hospital it is
estimated that S75, 900 will be required. OF
zens of Ann Arbor that the city will con-
tribute $4,000. have no means of esti-
mating the necessary cost of a hospital, but
have no difficulty in arriving at conclusion
that new one is sOrely needed.
THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
This is i'm prosperous condition. The
appropriation of S15, 900 per annum by the
general government for experimental pur-
poses will enlarge its field of usefulness and
to q limited extent reduce expenditures here
tOfOrc devoted to experimental purposes
and paid by the State. All the buildings
provided for two years ago are built, and
while the estimates are not placed before
me, yet, the understanding is that no appro-
priatiOns will be asked for the construction
of new buildings. The total amount re-
quircd for the next two years is about S32,-
600. This is S41, 900 less than the appro-
priation of 1887. 1t is now fairly well
equipped in all of its departments with
buildings and facilities. Certain appropri-
atiOns are required for the payment of stu
dents labor, repairs, improvements imple-
ments, etc. But the farm department has
its experimental barns and other buildings,
with lecture room fitted up recently at an
expense of about $500. The botanical,
chemical, mechanical and other departments
are supplied with ample quarters
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
This is yet in its infancy. One has to see
it to appreciate the necessity for its estab-
lshmcnt and the work that it is doing.
have not received a full report of the Board
i'm relation TO its wants, but 1t, like some
of our other institutions, is full and running
over. Its capacity is supposed to be about
400 and il now has $50 inmates. The Board
will urge an appropriation of from $4,000
to SIS, 600 for the erection of hospital out
side of the main building. If this plan is
adopted it will give an opportunity to pro-
vide room for at least 40 where the hospital
is now located on the fourth floor. AS
rule 1t is believed that the establishment of
separate hospitals for State institutions Is