Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-16

for the bill in 1870. l took the ground
then, and l believe it was right, that the
institution was not a profitable one, and
that then was the time to drop it. The
Legislature thought differently, and "a
years have elapsed. / have watched the
course of the college, and in these 20 years
have changed my mind, and for this rea'
son. The people of this State decided then
not to close the college, and since that
time have spent upon that college nearly
$500, 600 1t has been endowed by dis
tinguished citizen of the State. 1t is toe
late now to talk about giving up the
Maine State College. We accepted the
grant from the United States govern
ment and we are in honor bound to sup
port the institution. l desire to offer an
amendment to the amendment, and on
this | desire to say a few words. The
institution must be sustained, and the
only question is now how we shall best
sustain it. We find great many differ
ent opinions prevailing about this college,
even among those interested in agrlcul-
ture and for whose benefit it is supposed
to be principally maintained. One
farmer takes one view, and another farm
er takes another and entirely different
view. l think, Mr.. President, that it is
high time that that matter of the effi-
cheney and usefulness of the college
should be Observation-Disclosures the institu-
ton carries out the intention of the
United States government in making the
grant.
Now, it seems to me. Mr.. President,
II IL. fntn
satisfied as to the condition of things;
they do not know whether the conditions
of this grant are being carried out or not
and it is time that that question be de-
cided. The catalogue shows that since
1892 only 10 per cent. of its graduates
ever had anything to do with agriculture
That may be right or wrong. Let us
know about it! | desire to be liberal in
our treatment of the college | do not
desire to see the college retrograde in any
respect, but think that under the cir
cumstances we should be very careful in
making large appropriations. The SEES
sion is not ended. You have as yet done
nothing for the educational institutions
of this State. Let us size this thing up
as whole We have made a very large
for the Bangor Insane hos
pital, because it was necessary that it
should be made Now that that is out of
the way let us give all other appropria
tions fair chance.
l think that this appropriation is larger
than it need be, and that it is unwise to
carry it on for term of 10 years. l have
had enough experience in the manage
ment of schools to see where the president
of this college stands. He desires, as
most men would to do all that he thinks
is necessary for the college at once. Now,
while they may need these things for
which he asks this appropriation, yet l do
not think it is judicious for him to ex-
pend that sum of money at once.
Now, sir. I believe that it is high time
that We should have some plan by which
we can place this institution on firm
financial basis.
| say that this is matter that we
should consider, and cnd once and for
ever this constant struggle. This amend
mcnt which / now offer appropriates the
sum of Sl5, 900 for the year 1895, and the
same sum for the year 1896, and provides
that the Governor, with the advice of the
Council, shall appoint commission of
tnTGt DtTSODS, WIN SIldll Udht luuo SouSiu-
Grafton such changes in the curriculum
Of the State college as they may think
advisable, and also the necessity of placing
this college on solid financial basis;
said commissioners to serve without pay,
but to be allowed necessary expenses. i
offer this amendment as sincere friend of
this institution. We cannot get out from
under it, and we do not want to get out
from under it, 1 have great faith in the
small colleges. Harvard and Yale have
simply become manufactures for dudes.
We have got to look for our men of brains
TO the small colleges. This Maine State
College has been doing good work, and
we want to place it on right basis. !
would give them larger appropriation
for the next two years succeeding these
two provided for by this amendment, If
| thought they needed it; but hope that
the next Legislature that meets will I'M
lcrstand more thoroughly the position of
this college and make it solid for all time
to come.
Mr.. Wiggin of Aroostook: am GER
tainly unwilling to consume any more
time on this matter, but do not want to
let this thing go without putting in one
luTbHeT pea. all OppUStu W the dHIeuu-
ment offered by the senator from Wash
ngton. 1t strikes at the very root of
what we claim here. 1t destroys the
of the appropriation which
we claim. do not think that the cumu-
lative figuring which has been referred to
here is any argument II we take any
and multiply it by the
of years it has been or is to be in
force we can make up very large sums of
which look startling.
One other point wish to say word
on. 1t has been said that the farmers of
this body are not agreed on this question.
Now, in all modesty l claim that am
better judge of the work of this college
than my friend, the senator from Cum
and that because of this fact;
From the very institution of this college ]
have been intimately acquainted with it;
have visited it frequently. and | have
given it particular attention and seen its
growing and important work, and fer
that reason say that am a be, ter judge
than my friend from Cumberland, with
all due Difference to him.
One more point and ] am done, and
that is the objection made By the senator