The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-05-08
or Course Cornell Want, More.

OF Course Cornell Wants More.
We are informed that for some time
past the officers OF Cornell University at
Ithaca have been bringing influence to
bear on delegates to the Constitutional
Convention to induce them to provide for
making that college State institution
which shall receive large appropriation OF
public money annually. Their efforts have
been Industrious and persistent, though
quiet and carefully concealed from the
public knowledge.
Such q movement is not remarkable. It
is logical consequence OF the spirit OF de-
pendence on the State generated by the
method OF the establishment OF this uni
versty. When. In 1862, Congress granted
to the States areas OF public land proper
tionate to their representation. for the BEN
eft OF colleges. the income OF the share thus
allotted to New York. or 100000 acres. was
turned over to Cornell University. which
was chartered three years later. with a
further foundation Of $500, 900. the gift Of
the late EZRA CORNELL. Thus the
college started out with public aid.
and. as Is usually the case. the beneficiary
was but stimulated by such favor re-
ceived to ask for more OF the same kind.
Cornell looks on itself as ward Of the
State. from which. accordingly, 1t expects
continuing stream OF benefits whenever It
desires them: and as no enterprising col
lege ever has money enough to carry out
its laudable ambitions. however great its
endowment. the Ithaca institution is now
hoping that the State will give II additional
and permanent assistance from the public
treasury. We do not doubt that II IL
could get the charity. the money would
be expended with careful regard to
the benefit Of the college as an In
stitution Of learning: but the same
is true OF all the other colleges OF the State.
each one OF which Is as much entitled as
Cornell to draw on the public treasury for
the money it wants. They would all be glad
Of big annual appropriation from the
State II they could get 1t; and IL Cornell
should succeed with the Constitutional Con-
vention. precedent would be established
which would justify demand that the en-
tire collegiate system OF the State should
be- supported by the State. II Cornell Is
made State university. maintained by
public funds. why should not Columbia.
Rochester. Fordham. and all Of the other
colleges Of New York receive the same
ADOPTION ana SuStenance
Besides its magnificent public endowment.
Cornell has received great gifts from indi-
viduals, with the consequence that already
its income Is equalled by that OF very few
OF the colleges in the Union. 1t Is doing
exceedingly we'll now. 1t has been very
fortunate. and. to its praise. 1t has made
good use OF It's enviable. opportunities.
More especially In its schools OF engineer
ing and mechanics 1t deserves much dis
tinction. and Its sturdy students have won
laurels on the field OF athletic competition.
But having had taste OF public pap. hav-
ing begun as beggar. it wants more. and
IL 1t should get the more for which 1t now
asks. 1t would want still more hereafter.
II it should succeed In inducing the Consti-
tutional Convention to adopt 1t as public
charge. and II the voters should confirm
the adoption. 1t would gain the point OF
making the State responsible for the cost
of its development.
or course. the State will never assume
any such responsibility. pecuniary and
otherwise. Even il the Constitutional Con-
yention should yield to the social and polit-
ical pressure exerted at Albany by certain
friends OF Cornell University. the people
would not ratify the bargain. The propo-
sition Is only one among many devices in
vented for using the Convention TO bolster
up private schemes. The people OF the
State will not divert the public money to
any such purpose. They will not pick out
a single college among many for their
special protection and support. but will
leave them to struggle together for the
distinction OF being the university that re-
fleets most honor on the State. as q school
OF learning.
1t is true that Cornell. in return for the
land grant received by 1t. is required by its
charter to give free tuition to one student
selected by competitive examination from
among the public-school pupils OF each Of
the Assembly districts OF the State; but
that is bargain which any New York
college would DO glad TO take OF its hands.
They all want students only less than they
want money. BY the land grant the State
simply purchased scholarships in Cornell.
and on the same terms 1t could have pur-
chased them in any OF the other colleges.
The application OF Cornell. therefore.
| should receive no attention from the Con-
stitutional Convention. 1t does not deserve
serious discussion In that body.