Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-09
SECOND EDITION
GOV. ROSS ACCEPTS.
His Formal Acceptance of the Presi-
dency of the A. and N. College.
High Rank Of the College Among Other Kin
dred Institutions Of the COuntry-All It
Can Accomplish for the Youth.
Special TO the Gazette.

Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN, Ten. Aug. S.-The follow
ing letter to the board of directors of the
Agricultural and Mechanical college ex-
plains itself:
AUSTIN, TEX, Aug. 8, 1890.
To President Rose and Members of the Board Of
Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical
College:
GENTLEMEN-Respec acknowl-
edging the high honor l make this for
NAL declaration OF acceptance of the
presidency of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical college. l hope to meet your
reasonable expectations by assisting the
harmonious, intelligent and combined
efforts of the officers and teachers in the
several departments to make its efficiency
such as TO give it high rank among the
kindred instItu tons OF the country. That
the proper care, training and education
of the youth OF the state
is of vital importance to its welfare,
needs only TO be mentioned TO be appre-
ciated, and / have always believed their
minds, hands and hearts should be
trained in unison, and that this trinity in
unison must be recognized and applied TO
prepare them for freer, wider and more
intelligent choice of pursuits.
In order TO accomplish the wise
ends for which the institution was es-
tablishec, IL should properly equip our
boys for their future cares by the fullest
development of their powers with refer
ence TO their wants of life, and acquaint
them thoroughly, both theoretically and
practically, with the duty, the
dignity aud the nobility of labor.
There is great field opening
in our state for practical
technical employment aud q growing de-
mand for the services OF those fitted for
labor in every branch of scientific knowl-
edge, and We ere now compelled to draw
upon the skilled labor of other countries
TO fill the most lucrative, honorable and
important positions in every indus
trini enterprise. In face OF this
fact, there can be no eXaggeratiou
of ;he value of an institution which Will |
afford the direct advantages of conduct
ing the student from the simplest me-
chanical principles TO the complex order |
of artistic ingenuity by enabling him to |
combine principles, construct models |
aud call into activity his ingenuity for !
designing. While practical knowledge |
OF the use of tools can be acquired |
in one half the time necessary
under the ordinary method of obtaining
trade knowledge, US an apprentice is
kept at such work only as he proves most |
profitable to the employer. Agriculture
i'll our country is the admitted basis of |
public wealth, and we must look to it Us
the chief source of our prosperity. The
machinery of a prosperous agriculture
once put in motion brings in, its
tram vast number of other public en-
terprises, creating new demands for
skilled employment and the skillful hand
gives dignity to these pursuits and places
q higher estimate on their value. In
structons in agriculture and horticul-
ture, how to plant, tend, harvest and
store the products of farm and garden,
how 10 care for the various
kinds OF stock found on well
regulated farms, will inculcate
taste for these pursuits and induce the
young men to seek employment in the
country to the development of q self-re-
liant manhood instead OF wasting their
lives, rs is frequently the case, in the
overcrowded professional ranks in
the cities by being educated
into a fitness for such employ
ments only as require an abstract
mental training and ignoring altogether |
that which is practical. The young men
of the state cEu acquire st this institu-
ton knowledge that VIII prepare !
them to achieve the highest and
best results in any station In
addition TO this the military
feature of the college is of trausoendent
Importance, though probably not fully
appreciated. The arguments in its favor ,
lre numerous, but far in advance of ali ,
others, and what is of sufficient i'm Z
portance TO at once decide the matter,
Is its conducveness TO health. The
outdoor exercise, the erect position
and expanding chest gives the lungs
the free play so essential after the
position necessary to the school !
rooms. The pleasureahie excitement
accompanying the drill, the strictness of
attention required TO secure precision
md accuracy of movement in perform
NJ the evolutions are highly conducive q
o bodily health, grace and strength,
md perform very active part, also, i'll
he medication Of habits of promptuess, v
egularity, order, aud aid ma t
erially in preserving q proper discipline.
To you, as directors and personally, l It
IN heartily thankful for this evidence of g
our confidence, aud invoking q contin-
lance of your cooperation TO secure for c
he Institution commanding eminence I
hat will make it the pride of the state, a
am, most respectfully, your obedient s.
ervant, l.. s. Ross. p