The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-10-29
Senator Morrill's Speech.

came mere eDblTtly unpTbDdItu w dN-
dress so large an audience az this or even
any audience, On this subject; but am very
willing and ready to give out the words that
bespealk the faith that is in me in relation to
what is ordinarily called the agricultural
colleges | may say that the matchmaker
of the Congressional Globe in 1862 gave them
that title and it has seemed to stick ever
since. The colleges were emphatically land
grant colleges.
| suppose that there can be no one per-
hans, in the United States who feels more
profound interest in the success of these col
leges than myself. | have been somewhat
familiar with the operations of all of them,
for they nearly all send me their reports,
and | may say that ont OF forty-eight of
those colleges, certainly forty-fOur of them
have proved a success, and are satisfactory
to the people where they are located.
The object of the introduction of the bill
in 1862 was to give a chance to the industrial
classes of the country to obtain liberal
education, something more than that was
bestowed by our universities and colleges
in general, which seemed to be more based
upon the English plan Of giving an educa-
ton only TO what might be called the
professional classes IL law, medicine and
theology.
Since the establishment of these land
! grant colleges it is true that most of
| the universities and colleges in this coun-
try have modified their curriculum, so
far as to admit of much larger attention
! TO the prdCtlCdl sciences, anu giving II
chance for Other practical sludies-that is,
dispensing with some of what are called
! the classics Latin and Greek, for French
and German. and other scientific studies.
The success of these institutions through
out our country has been so broad that
some are even claiming that they will be
the foundation ultimately of an American
system of colleges in this country.
| found, however, that the land grants
! did not supply asutfcient amount OF funds
H.. .,.,1I
own state, for such purpose. Such states
| as New York, of course, with their Cornell
University, could maintain all the professor
ships and give all instruction in technical
as well as practical matters rela ing to az
| riculture and the mechanic arts. But it is
very expensive, perhaps the most expen-
sive system of education of any in the whole
world, this system of practical sciences so
as to give a broader field for the industrial
classes.
II now turns out that the students of these
colleges, almost as soon as they graduate,
are asked for in all parts of the country
Some of them are so bright as to be asked
for before they graduate, and suppose that
"a very large number of them have been en-
ployed as professors in other colleges; in
fact, know that there have been more than
fifty of them employed as professors.
Now it seems that under the late act CIV
in further endowment to these colleges, it
is proposed to establish something that will
amount to nothing more IMAM an dgrlcul-
tural school for our state. l should regard
that as a revolution and suppression of the
whole idea of the land grant act of 1862,
which was of much broader kind. 1t in
cluded, to be sure, the idea that agriculture
and the mechanic arts were to have a lead
ing or first position, but it also included
much more: it was for the industrial classes,
to promote their instruction generally, and
il was not to exclude even the classics.
Therefore | should regard any change from
the original act as a diversion of the fund
and revolution of the whole practical
idea.
| suppose in our state, as in some other
states, they are establishing what they call
farmers leagues" which must inevitably,
if not so intended, become political com
petitor OF the republican party; it is to SUI
persede it, practically, in the end or it
amounts to nothing. | take it that is the
real object of some OF the gentlemen en-
gagged in it, perhaps not all, in establishing
these farmers leagues IN our state.
| may say that so far as concerns myself
| was brought up on farm until | was tif-
teen, and know something about how tC
plant corn to pull flax and to dig potatoes
l do not think the education of boys should
be hampered with these practical labors al
, the time they are Obtaining their education
| know it was great disadvantage to INT
that | could not go TO school, for | never
have been to school since was fifteen years
of age To obtain the little education
have, il has cost me many evenings, Sun
DAYS after church and scraps of time tina
could be devoted to it, involving far more
, labor than it would have neceSsltated if
could have been sent to proper institutions
of learning to have acquired liberal edu
cation
Now, Mr.. Chairman, in relation to thi
subsequent act that was Fp-ssed to give In,
col eges established under tn" act of 1856.
the additional sum of S1J,0W each for the
4 first year, increasing 1t by 5000 annually
until it reaches the sum Of 40 900, l wiSl
to say it was proposed by "A distinguished
9 senator to put into that act provision By
; which proportion might be diverted Il
new colleges in various states | ohjecte,
$ to it, and told him my idea was to reinforce
those already established, and that it Wouli
t be very diSagreeable TO me for him to pre-
: sent any amendment of that kind even Il
| allow it to be done, and he therefore con
g scented to withdraw it, and the amendmen
e putting in provision to allow "A state II
n change from the colleges established i'll 1862
: was not presented in the senate, and di,
j. not get in any other position.
:, 1t has been supposed that such priv
c lege was covered by and warranted by, TIL
e following words in the recent act: Tha
i the appropriation to each state and terri
$ tory for the more complete e dowment an,
Il maintenance of colleges for the benefit Of,
Il etc, etc. "now established or may be here
g after established"
e That Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, wa
II intended to cover merely the new territorie
If and states which might be admitted here
3, after, and was not intended for anythin
u more. Then, there is provision for the es
l. tablishment of colleges for colored student
l. in states where they had a college estal
e lished under the act OF 1862, tn L they Nigh
D. establish a culOred institution in addition
s. and that the funds should he equitably d
4 vded. But | do not wish to discuss tina
o point of the question further, merely de
e sire to say that surprising it was rigf
n and just or legal Tor the legislature To TAX
D. away the appropriation from the Universit
Is of Vermont and State Agricultural Colleg,
N my own Judgment is that we can not hay
e. an institution that will give anything lik
y the amount OF valuable instruction for I'll
1T farmers and mechanics and the industrii
d classes that is afforded by the Universit
is OF Vermont and State Agricultural Colleg
ID with the additional means that that institl
N ton has, to provide further and better il
0, struction than has ever been given hitherto
Id even by that institution. If il was all plai
., sailing so that the cost was entirely clear
10 that it would be right and just aud prope
B. in my judgment it would he a very grei
le mistake; and we could not have ii