The Brookhaven leader., 1889-03-07
AGRICULTURAL AND MECRANI.
CAL COLLEGES.
The Federal Law Providing for Agri-
cultural Coileges-Land Donated
By Congress-How Expended.
Interesting Facts.
ARTICLE NO. III.

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 as 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-
ditions were affecting the farmer which
made it absolutely necessary for him to
be educated in order to compete with
the better educated classes.
Congress saw this, and saw also how
difficult 1t 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 object
'the benefit of agriculture and the me-
ehanical arts, so as to reach and ben
eft the very large class engaged in the
pursuit of agriculture Zone half of pop
alation), and also those engaged in me-
shanieal 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 supplant the older established
colleges (they could not be dispensed
with) but to provide additional educa-
tional facilities more practical and on a
different theory. To provide educa-
tional facilities for the large number
BOT partial to classical instruction, but
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 a 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. stating in the caption of
the Act that it was Ito benefit agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts' and ITO
promote the liberal and practical edu-
cation of the industrial classes in the
several pursuits and professions of life. "
These 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 confine 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 (1862) was IAN
act donating public lands to the several
States and Territories which may pro-
vide colleges for the benefit of agricul-
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 tactics) to teach such
branches of learning as 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 liberal and practical edu-
cation of the industrial classes in the
several pursuits and professions of life"
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 il shall be replaced
by the State to which it belongs. ex-
espting only 'that sum not exceeding
10 per cent of the amount received
may be expended for thepurchase OF
lands for sites of experimental farms"
"No portion of said fund or the in
tsrest thereon shall be appropriated
directly or indirectly. under any pre-
tense whatever. TO the purchase, srec-
tion. preservation or repair of any build
ing or buildings. How any State ac-
cepting the gift, shall provide in five
years at least one college, where the
leading object shall be ito teach such
branches of learning as are related to
agriculture aud the mechanic arts, or
the grant shall be void. and the State
shall return the money. II appears
that Congress. knowing how these gifts
had been previously lost. especially
gusnsAd against this oua 20 it Gtfgtf