The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-03-07
AN UNITED STATES COLLEGE.

There is a wonderful amount of obtuse
ignorance displayed in the common char
acterization of the Oregon Agricultural
College as "a state institution" Even
the Oregonian, that ought to be better
informed, terms it "state high school"
probably with that paper, though, 1t is
not ignorance. 1t is only state instltu
tion in so far that for convenience its
management is placed in the hands of the
state government. The United States IN
1862, donated certain public lands to the
state. The interest from the fund created
by the sale of these lands was to be used
in supporting state agricultural college.
The state in accepting this liberal dona-
tion agreed to provide and equip suitable
buildings. In 1887 the Hatch till went
into effect. By the provisions of this act
the institution was to receive $4,000 an
nual1y, to be used only for experimental
purposes. Three years later, or in Au-
gust, 1890, the law known as the agricul-
tural college act took effect, This law
provided certain funds for the support OF
the college proper, and for the year end
ing June 80, 1891, an appropriation was
made of $4,000. The act further pro-
vided that this amount was to be annually
increased 81, 900, until the total annual
appropriation reached SIS, 900; thus max
ing grand total, under the provisions OF
the two acts, of $4,000. This year the
college received, under the provisions of
the Hatch act, $4,000, and under the
other bill $4,000. In addition to this
sum the institution receives the interest
on the trust fund, spoken of above, which
amounted to about $1,000, making the
total amount received this year from the
federal government, about $45, ,ooo. Since
the college has been divorced from the
M. E. church, south, and its management
placed entirely under the control of the
state board, the state has appropriated
practically nothing to the institution,
except for grounds and buildings
The college building proper was erect
ed by the enterprising citizens of Cor
Wallis and Benton county, at cost of
$25,ooo. The college campus of thirty
five acres was gift from the same source,
and is also valued at $4,000. So it is
plainly seen that residents of Benton
county, most of whom are citizens of
Corvallis, have alone contributed to the
institution $4,000. Benton county only
has two free scholarships and of the 26o
students. Corvallis only furnishes 81.
This disproves the charge that it is local
school,
It would be folly for the state to refuse
the $4,000 profered by the general gov
ernment. No sane citizen will advocate
such thing. The college must be located
ty can see no reason why it should not
be located at Corvallis as we'll as else
where They certainly feel that they have
shown sufficient public spirit to merit
possession of the college. The objections
mentioned are futile, however, as the COL
1ege is a permanent institution, and the
federal appropriations are fixed ones.
The location of the school at Corvallis is
also permanent. Why can't the state
papers drop their senseless chickering's,
and aid in building up the institution by
commentator and practical suggestions,
to the glory and credit OF Oregon.
There is only one member of the board
of regents, who is citizen of Benton
county, and he is a recent apointee. The
board is composed of practical and promi-
nent men, who are endeavoring to make
the college of benefit and utility to the
entire state. Truthful complaints of any
defect in the management or workings
of the institution are not objected to,
but are, rather, courted by its friends.
But such complaints as have been lately
urged against the school have tendency
to create prejudice against it, without the
least spark of reasoning. It is no more
the province of Corvallis papers to defend
the college, than of any other state jour
nal. tits not Corvallis school. tits an
United States school, for the benefit of
the citizens of Oregon.