The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-02-28
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Two Important Measures for Its Support
Pending in the Legislature.


There are two propositions of the ut
most importance to the University of
Texas pending before the legislature
one, to give the university regents con-
troll of the University lands: the other to
grant for its support one cent out of
Whatever rate in cents may be fixed
on the 500 valuation for either
the free school fund or the states general
revenue.
The appeal of the regents in this behalf
IS not a matter of personal consideration.
since the University does not belong to
them, but it is their highest duty, as
intermediary agents for the state, equally
win the University, to persistently pre-
sent Its claims upon the state, to promote
its interests as state university, and Ms
delegated agents for the University
itself, to raise it to the highest standard
as a "hrst-class" institution of learning
ana apex to the state educational system,
In other words, it is no less their duty ia
the state than to the University, to present
ana urge every possible measure they
can suggest to make the University the
peer or any like institution in the Union
capable of affOrding the all-satisfyinr 20.
pasts OF the highest advantages of mi.
Verslty education to the ambitions hovs
and girls of Texas. IVY
Certainly since knowledge is mower {,
and one of the greatest powers of gov.
ernmenf-the state cannot pledge IFS
taith to nobler enterprise for it's politi
cal welfare than the support of the Uni
Verslty, as state school, and in fact q
great free school, in line with the Other
Tree schools, supplemented as the latter
are by the University as essentially the
inh II
entire educational system.
Every state should establish and foster
its state university so as not to DENY the
advantages of higher education to anv
ciass OF her citizens who pay taxes for
me support of the government. Such in
stltutlOhs may not exert so general Ordi-
nary benefits as the free schools. Int
they radlate a far brighter intelligence
sclhtillatlng, their effects from the highest
sources OF knowledge with q loftier and
Iuller glow and intenser heat of intelIec.
tual effulgence. They may not he 81
generally useful in the minor affairs 81
lie us the common schools, but still are
as hlghly necessary for the public good
1HivoiVlng as they do the higher instruc
t ION requisite for rounding and perfectine
t ne ordinary education of the masses al
- ~ Texas I1 has, prospectively, provided lib.
tG;r G 1or the University, as its two mil.
iiin lures must some day be very valu0.
ote, put as compared with other state in.
the immediate benefit of the JTniverS iHr
or Texas to keep step to the music 81
educational progress and the grand morch
OF TINS empire state in political imnort.
ance. The University of Texas does moi
YET aif0rd the advantages of great libra.
res, laboratories and polytechnic scbools
u me arts and science, and means for
experiments, necessary TO keen
our youth from being attracted 70 Tho
iiner endowed and more literally eouipnnd
universities of other states. The factp iS
mere are younger states than Texas with
younger and more fourisbing state
universities because of their more imme.
diately practical endowment with avaiIo.
ple resources by means of a state univer-
SHY tax, bringing them an Immediate and
Increasing revenue, in pace not only with
tne growth of the state in wealth and
PoPulallon, but also with the progress
o anu Increased requirements of higher
r ro,,It OF the whole country. AS n
nr ouit 9'4er universities are far better
IL IL I h;,i. Ior tnan the Texas University,
fn' D;ulIulllSs OF the Wisconsin University.
e ~ oH'ihS PlJU,UUU, and those
OF the University of Minnesota $50 900
AS TO liberal appropriations. the state of
missouri, by a single enactment. onnro-
priated every dollar of it's "direct tovn
money-in round numbers S636 OOONto
tne University of Missouri, in contros,
with which Texas appropriated 70 her
only some $4,000 ont of
something over $1,000,0OO received from
the federal government.
Inc advantage of a university tax is
pest demonstrated by it's results in other
states in affecting the revenues of their
respective universities. In Minnesota
tor instance, using round figures, it real,
yes annually $4,000; in Nebraska. S64-
~; in Ohio, $4,000; in California. S1i5-
Doo; in Wisconsin, $147, $50; In Mich
gan, ,SlSS,3OO. In Texas about $50. 600
would result from the proposed 1 cent tax.
AS to the University lands. they are at
!. great disadvantage in quality and loca-
non, as compared with the railroad and
alternate school sections, brought into
competition with them by railroad extern
'lons, and diligence of railroad officials
n bringing their own lands into
demand. For this reason and
n all fairness the University lands should
lot be subjected by the state to the same
erms for their disposition, whether by
ale or leases; and for the further rea-
on that the state has failed to make
hem as OrOductiva nc tbny cbo,lJ ~