Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-11-07

| III tic luSiltutlOn 0eTeDy Created, SuC0
instruction, in the various branches OF
learning, as is contemplated in the several
charters of each of the institutions here
Dy united; and more particularly includ-
ing four years course of study, similar
to such as are taught in other colleges,
and not inferior to that recently taught
IN the university of Vermont, and in ad-
dition to that which is usually taught in
other colleges, the instruction shall in
clude such enlarged facilities and extend
ed scope and variety in the study of those
branches which relate to military tactics,
agriculture and the mechanic arts as
shall render the whole instruction in con-
fornlty with said act of Congress, as
well as with the several charters afore-
said.
Under this charter the combined insti-
tuition started on its career. And what
has it accomplished toward promoting
"the liberal and practical education of
the industrial classes Practically
nothing. 1t began with charter, the
spirit of which was at variance with the
spirit of the act of Congress, and it has
proceeded on that line. Its charter pro-
vided "more particularly" for a regular
college course, and the general public
has had scarcely any reason up to date
for supposing that the charter provided
for anything else. The university got
the better of the bargain out of that as
tute legislature of 1868; and what is the
result? The St. Johnsbury Republican,
whose editor was brought up in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Free Press,
gives it in these words:
1t seems to us that the university has
not been dazzling success as an agri-
cultural school, but is it the university's
fault? In our humble opinion the trouble
chiefly lies with the farmers and the
farmers boys, who cannot be persuaded
to avail themselves of the advantages Of
fered by the university. The president
and faculty have piped very melOdiously,
but the farmers have refused to dance.
And why have the farmers boys re-
fused to dance? Solely for the reason
that the university has not played the
right tune. The farmers know good
thing when they see it, and they know
what they don't want, too. The trouble
is that the cart which got before the
horse in the legislature of 1865 has al
ways staid there The leading feature of
the Burlington institution has not been
what Congress contemplated, the pro-
motion of the liberal and practical educa-
tion of the industrial classes; the univer-
sity of Vermont vehicle has been in front
all these years. and the poor old agrlcul-
tural college jade has labored along be-
hind as best she could. The farmers do
not care to send their sons to an annex,
a department of the institution that is
kept in the background. They have too
much self-respect for that. They are
aware that the whole tendency of a uni
versity is away from the farm, and why
shouldn't it be? The primary purpose
of the college is to train men for the so call
ed learned professions all its surround
ings and influences lead to the ministry,
to the law, to medicine, anywhere but
to the farm. But agriculture is not
learned profession. 1t is an industry, as
much as making steam engines or run
tries, II certain degree and kind of educa-
ton is needful to those who would fol-
low it successfully. The education de-
for the farmer is, however, en-
tirely different from that required by the
professional man. Farming is eminently
a practical pursuit, and practical instruc-
ton is Just what the farmers boys need.
There are, accordingly, few points of
sympathy between the classical student
and the student of agriculture. and they
will not harmonic, especially if the de-
partment to which the latter belongs is
made secondary to the formers.
1t is, therefore, the height of folly to
expect, on this score alone, that the uni
versity will ever furnish the right sort
of music, provided it should act in good
faith with respect to the funds given it.
And here is another matter which de-
of the farmers of the State think they
are the victims of "A swindle, and for
that reason they will not send their
sons to Burlington. The whole course
Of the university has been such as to
foster that feeling. Apparently the eff
fort has been to see how little could be
lone for the benefit of the farming class.
The fund of SSl30 a year goes into the
treasury with the money derived from
other sources and is expended for the
general expenses of the university. So
Tar as benefiting the farmers is concern
ed it might as well go into the lake.
And if the additional grants were
turned into the same treasury, would the
same result follow! Presumably; for
IN institution which has accomplished
nothing tangible in twenty-five years
On Ssl30 year clearly lacks either the |
capacity or inclination to expend S4S,-
100 year to any better advantage.
The history of the university being