Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-02-25
ANOTHER WAY TO REBUILD.
The f. & L. U. Not Opposed to the
End But to the Method-Far-
mers Think the EndOw.
ment Fund Should Be
Used i'm Part.

To the Editor of the Ledger,
Mexico, NO., Feb. 24.-As | see
there is considerable controversy
over the State University question,
| will venture a few words ON the
subject. In the first place, as that
the F. & l.. U. has been somewhat
misrepresented in the matter, |
want to express what | believe are
the sentiments of a majority of the
members of that organization in Au-
drain county. At the last meeting
of the county F. & L. u, and after
considerable discussion and some
amendments, the following resolu-
tons were adopted:
Resolved, First, That we, the Au-
drain county F. Il l.. u, in con-
vention assembled, request our rep
resentative in the State Legislature
to use all honorable means to de-
feat any appropriation for rebuild
ing the State University, but in lieu
thereof advocate the using of the
money given by the last Legislature
as an endowment fund.
Second, That they are earnestly
requested to use every effort to have
the board of curators have the man
agement of the Agricultural College
entirely separated from that of the
State University and that, if posi-
BILE, the location of the Agricultural
College be removed from Columbia.
The following was also passed:
Resolved, That the F. & L. U. of
Audrain county, Missouri, are of
the opinion that the citizens of Co.
lumbia are indirectly responsible for
the burning of the University at
Columbia by not providing the
proper means to prevent such de-
struction of property by fire, there
by entailing a great loss upon the
citizens of the State.
Now, it has been said that we are
opposed to the rebuilding of the
University and that we want the To-
cation changed. Is there anything
in the above resolutions to give rise
to such statements?
| don't believe there was a dis
senting voice on the second resolu-
ton and only one or two on the
others. We believed from the evil
dence we had hat a part of the
money given as an endowment fund
by the last Legislature could be
used in rebuilding. This and the
insurance money would rebuild. ]
believe that many of our members
are in favor of removing the Uni
versity from Columbia, principally
from what they regard as almost
criminal negligence ON the part OF
the citizens of Columbia to provide
means to prevent such a disastrous
fire, but that matter was not dis.
cussed in the meeting.
The following resolutions were
after discussion, adopted by a large
majority.
Resolved, By Audrain county F.
d l.. U. now assembled,
list. That we heartily indorse the
action of Governor D. r. Francis
in calling a special Session of the
Legislature to redistrict the State
and to rebuild the State Universe
ty.
I'd. But as heartily condemn
his action in refusing to recommend
a reduction of express charges; also,
assessors seal law.
The above, though touching upon,
another subject, shows that there wa:
no sentiment against rebuilding the
University:
But vi membership is verv
earnest upon two points.
LIST. That the Agricultural Col.
lege be completed severed from the
University property located at some
other point. 1t is necessary to give
the reasons for this. We have come
to believe that the so-ealled Agricul-
tural Department of the M. S. U.
is an elephantine farce upon the
fair name of agriculture.
End. That the citizens of Column
bia should atone IN some measure
for their past lethargy and negli-
gence by offering a bonus for re-
building the M. S. Z. there.
1t is argued that the citizens Of
Columbia have already been very
liberal in the past donations and
should not be asked to contribute
the second. time for this PURPOSE.
In answer | would say that nearly
every one of them has realized
handsome profits on their contribu-
tons and consequently the State is
under no further obligations to them.
Columbia is now very willing to
provide water-works, etc, but this
is satisfactory to the people gener-
ally and if our Legislators obey the
wishes of their constituents they
win be very careful about making
any appropriation during the pres
ent session. We want a University
and are in favor of education-the
highest and the best, and to the full
lest extent, but we can get it without
undue haste in the matter, and al
the same time, / trust, boast of two
! GRAND uafrfutfoua-a Ctafr IYniyor