The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-14
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
Eighth Annual Convention of the Ma
flonal Aax0cinfiOn.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-The growth ana
work of the scores of agricultural colleges
and experiment stations in the United
States was discussed to-day at the initial
session of the eighth annual convention OF
the Association of American Agricultural
Colleges and Experiment Stations Vice
President G. E. Morrow, Of Champaign. H.,
presided in the absence Of Gen. stephen
d. Lee, of Mississippi, the president. The
report of the executive committee suggested
a conference on military matters between
the Secretary of War and the association
and intimated discrimination on the part
of the War Department against land grant
colleges. 1t was shown that the assocla-
tion was free from debt. -,
The second general session of the con-
vention was held tonight The principal
feature of the evening was the annual ad-
dress of the president of the association.
delivered by Acting President Morrow, in
the absence of General Lee. The agri-
cultural situation of the country was
sketched as presenting great problems Tor
Morrow referred to the saying that the test
of national welfare is the intelligence and
prosperity of the farmer and explained
that the advancement of the national well
fare is the object of the existence or the
institutions represented at the convention.
The Institutions, he continued, are 10
accomplish the work by increasing the in
telligence and prosperity of the industrial
classes, especially of the farmers. While
recognizing that there is some disappoint-
ment at the results of the labors in some
lines, the great good accomplished, directly
and indirectly. is deserving OF commenda-
ton. For both the colleges and stations
two classes of work are to be urged on the
most thorough and scientific principle. and
plain, practical, elementary principles.
AS chief aids to the higher success OF the
there
should be more division of labor and men
employed to teach special branches OF agri-
culture. MCcn attention should be paid to
the arrangement and the systemizing of
methods OF agricultural teaching and to the
planning and preparation of apparatus for
Short and special courses as an adjunct
to the full courses were advocated, and the
need of investigations as to possible new
uses for agricultural products was in
stanced as especially important. Action to
make the results of previous investigations
more widely dc & available ny temptations % tio Tor
workers, was also urged, and the relations
of college and station officers to the public
1t was urged that the colleges and sta
tions should be closely associated, and for
the highest successes of both the States
ment. Following the address section meet
ings were held. at which the special work
of colleges of agriculture, and botany and
entomology were discussed.
No Work on the Nicaragua Canal.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-The Maritime
Nicaragua Canal Company, of New York,
has made it's annual report to the Secre-
tary of the Interior. The report refers to
the depression that has prevailed during
the year, which. it says, has prevented 1t
from doing any work or making any prog
ress in the construction of the canal. The
affairs of the Nicaragua Canal Construc-
ton Company, organization within the
maritime company, is reviewed. This COM
pany failed last year. 1t had the contracts
TO build portions of the canal and it was
owing to it's failure that the maritime COM
pany was unable TO do any work. The con-
struction company is now reported to be re-
organized and the report says that it is in
a fair way to become substantial. The COM
pany expresses the hone that more favor
able financial times will see the construc-
tion company ready to proceed with the
work and progress made in building the
canal.
Porto RicO's Business Depression.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13-In report to
the State Department upon the present de-
preston and unsettled condition in Porto
Rico, United States Consul Hall at San
Juan ascribes the causes partly to the abb
rogation of the reciprocity agreement with
the United States. but more largely to the
demoralized condition Of the island and un-
certainty as to what Spain will do with
the Mexican silver now current there. The
agitation of the question has produced great
uncertainty and stopped importation. The
planters would prefer Mexican silver with
restrictions on Importation removed, as a
fifty-cent dollar governed by the markets
of the world while bad in itself is at least
preferable to an unknown and worse cur
rency, like the paper issue inflicted upon
Cuba some years ago.