The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-06-02
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Prof Mcbride Graphically Sizes 1t Up
All Round.

| All Round.
From The Evening News.
The News, through no fault of the writer,
has secured copy of the letter of resigna-
ton written by Professor Mcbride, late of
the faculty of the Michigan Agricultural
College. 1t is rich enough to bear reading:
Hon. Franklin Wells, Constantine, Mich:
DEAR SIR: AS president of the state
board of agriculture, | herewith submit to
you my resignation, in compliance with the
request as per letter received from secre-
tary of board.
In leaving the college L do so with the
utmost pleasure, believing that existing con-
dtions are not conducive to the welfare of
education, and having but faint hope that
conditions will be changed in the near
future. 1t is scarcely necessary to make
any observations on the conditions of the
college to member of the board of control.
But, nevertheless as a citizen of the state
and as one having excellent opportunities to
observe, l will take the liberty of express
ing some views of the college management.
| 1t has been a matter of some surprise that
the number of students in attendance has
been so small. And, indeed, it should be,
for the state of Michigan contains something
like 100000 farms, and of those students
studying agriculture there are less than 100,
or less than one student to represent 1000
farms.
From an intimate knowledge as the son of
farmer, and from experience and informa-
ton gained otherwise, am certain that 1t is
not from lack of financial means that keeps
the sons Of farmers away from college, or
away from this college, which, other things
being equal, should appeal to them most
strongly. Your board has within its keep
ing college with resources to the extent of
81, 500, 900, and to this may be added the an
nual income derived from the national gov
eminent, under the Hatch and Morrill, sup
Elementary acts, the sum of $4,000 as
received In 1S91-whch, il capitalized,
would add to the resources another 100000,
making in round numbers sum of So, 000,-
900 as resources belonging to the college,
and this is exclusive of state aid voted by
the legislature for building and repairs,
which in the last 10 years has not averaged
less than $40, 900 per annum.
This is in brief the financial condition of
the college you are charged with and which
at the present time has less than $50 stu
dents not far from equally divided between
the mechanical and agricultural, with some
Your board can hardly point with pride to
| such an unparalleled exhibit of financial
! generosity, when you reflect that every other
| state educational institution has shown such
marked growth, while this college has, with
! its increased resources derived first from
| the general government in 1888, shown
scarcely any increase in the total enrolment
and an actual loss in the department that
gave the college Its name. The state uni
versity, normal school and mining school,
have taken a fast hold upon the people of
the state, and their influence is year by year
extending. Even the various church col
leges, supported not by the bounty of the
state but by their respective denominations,
have grown in strength and number and in
creased their enrolment.
These are observations and considerations
outside the college, and now as to conditions
inside. 1t is automatic i'm educational affairs
that those whose duty it is to manage and
instruct in college must have the respect
and confidence of their students. This in
several cases is entirely lacking. A good
disciplinarlan and executive does not point
to the number of expulsons and corrections
administered during any period, but rather
to the observance of law and order.
Evidence of this dsrespect crops out and
after time expulsion follows. But could
it be expected that respect will be found
where during the devotion of chapel, bulle-
tins are posted pointing not to idi0syncrasies
or peculiarities, but actually pointing out
what were the common talks Of students as
to the failure of scientific attainments of one
mans bulletins and the lack of industry of
another. Again, the highest respect for
truth can not be inculcated when fictitious
reasons are given for rests nations and facts
!. well known that there are other reasons. A
| strange lack Of frankness and candor Is a
, marked characteristic of conditions that such
develop. 1t is somewhat difficult to teach
lessons OF industry where 1t is not practiced
J and frankness where occultness holds sway.
My predecessor resigned in disgust and 1t
, was the suppOsition that my contract called
! for the completion of year that compelled
! a reluctant continuance, although L had
previously verbally informed the president
, that my resignation was at his disposal, in
} order that ne might act accordingly.
, cannot refrain from calling your atten-
ton to the possibility of providing normal
} course In connection with the college. A
majority OF students upon leaving college
! must teach for year or longer in order TO
get means to start in the race of life finan-
cially.
. With only little additional expense and
some additional energy and exertion on the
' part OF the authorities, such course would
be provided and much of the necessity OF
additional normal schools done away with.