The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-02-13

resentatives and servants Of the people, cannot
go too far in enacting laws for the encourage
ment of education, and especially the extern
sion and perfection OF our public school system.
1t is significant that in the counties in which
the schools are most literally sustained, better
prosperity obtains and the people are happier
and better or and in view OF the fact that the
law as it now exists leaves to the counties the
determination of the amount Of tax that shall
be levied for this purpose, it would perhaps
lead to more liberal provisions being made if
your honorable bodies should, by resolution or
otherwise, counsel the County Courts to greater
liberality in those counties that seem not to be
in pace with the advanced educational thought
and effort that is obtaining all over the land.
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.
The most wonderful and gratifying resusci-
tation that ever came within my knowledge is
the rehabilitation of the University of Tennes-
see. Four years ago found 1t almost literally
in ruins, with buildings decaying1 its work
languishing and almost ready to succumb
Immediately DR.. Charles w. Dabney, Jr., was
called to its management, and within this short
period, by means of most superior tact and en-
ergy, with ability and a knowledge of mod
ern educational eXpedient rarely equalled, he
has brought order from chaos, and by resort to
excellent financial strategem, has builded and
added and enlarged until he has made it model
modern institution, inferior to none in the
South-an institution that should be the pride
of every Tennessean, worthy of unlimited
patronage and July aDie 70 confer Iue HISnesG
order of educational benefit. DIR. Dabney has
been ably sustained and assisted by splendid
faculty and an eminently wide awake Board
of Trustees. who, while sharing with him the
labors that have accomplished the miraculous
results and entitled to proportionate honors,
yield to him the superior credit of being the
master hand in the great work.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
This department has undergone revolution
in its methods and purposes within the past
four years. When 1 came into office found
that there a disposition to abolish it alto
gether, but the present commissioner, Hon. B.
NJ. Hord, Immediately set about making it an
instrument of benefit to the farming classes,
and so abundant have been these benefits that
il now commends itself as an indispensable ad-
junct of State Government. l am of the opin-
ion. however, that the time has arrived when
this department can more probably turn its
attention and divide its effort toward the ac-
complishment of immi grafton, and to that end
a more liberal appropriation should be allowed
it for the purpose of printing and disseminating
maps and statistics and such matter of the
kind as will attract immigration and invest
ment. There should be better matured plans
more rigidly prosecuted, and the results am
persuaded will more than requite the expendi-
ture and effort. The department has been eX-
ceHently and honorably managed and much
good has resulted, but its scope may be profta-
bly, widened and its benefits multiplied if your
honorable bodies take the view Of it here sug
gested and provide the means and direct its ac-
complishment.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
In view of the great interest the immense re-
sources of the State have assumed, and the
great and pressing demand for information
relative TO them, l desire to call your attention
to the Importance of ging and charging
the work of the Geological Survey of the State,
and especially to the Importance Of having the
reports and results Of each work published and
presented in proper form to the people of the
State and of the world, 1t is anomalous that
while work has been done and reports in due
time presented, the Legislature has neglected
to make any provision for their publication.
No report has been printed since the appear
ance of Dr. Safford's "Geology of Tennessee"
in 1862 Since that this has been the great
authority as to our mineral resources and geo
logical formations in their phases. But now,
unfortunately, the book, while greatly in de-
mand. is wholly out of print and cannot be OBJ
tanned. 1t would appear that the time has
come for new edition of this work, an edition
which shall embrace in a simple, practical
and digested form not only the matter of the
original W ork but all the mass Of new facts and
material which has been gathered and has ac-
eumulated from year to year since 1863. The
matter IS recommended to you for your fayOra-
Bile consideration.
THE MILITARY.
The report Of the Adjutant- General shows
a decrease in the number of volunteers in the