The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-09
EARNING EDUCATION.
A Communistlc College Farm on
the Prairies.
1t 10 Called tho Peoples University
students TIL the Soil.

~
tional experiment near the little town OF
st. Anne, Ills, some 30 miles south Of
Chicago, that has already attracted good
deal OF attention and Is sure to be talked
of the world over II anything like success
Is accomplished. This experiment. is
known as the Peoples university. St.
Anne Is far removed from the railroad, In
region that Is strictly rural, and the uni
vorsity owns an entire section OF land, GAO
acres.
Upon this tract stand not only tho uni
yersity buildings, but also the homes for
the time being of all the students and
teachers The land Is cultivated co-opera-
lively by all, the proceeds are sold for the
benefit of ALL and the prAoorty OF the COM
munity is kept in comsxon storehouse.
The community started with capital
of 81, 500, incested in tools, machinery and
live stock. The school has asked for no
gifts. does not expect To secure any en-
dowments and will appeal aeither to the
charity nor the beneflcence Of the public In
any way. Tho students and teachers who
are on the ground are working with their
own hands at the construction OF the build
ings and are carrying on the agricultural
work OF the school, all OF which Is done
without compensation.
Their labor h employed directly in pro-
ducing the food, clothing, tuel and shelter
necessary for their own comfortable exist
ence. When this labor has provided these
necessities, the balance Of their time Is do
voted to study.
The educational workers are building up
their own city, including houses, school
and farm. The dwellings are cottages, IL
by 8 feet on the ground, and story and
A. .t,.l~ fret al
roofs.
They have built FIVE miles of fences,
planted fruit trees and 500 grapevines,
| have set out an immense garden of about
| 10 acres, have fields containing 10000
sweet potato plants, 81 acres OF Irish
| potatoes, so acres of oats, 250 acres OF
corn, 40 acres of sorghum, 20 acres OF
millet and 90 acres of buckwheat, all OF
which are In very fine condition.
1t is the unanimous verdict OF the large
number OF visitors that no finer crop nor
better farming Is anywhere TO be found
than there.
The cottages are built in a sort OF semi
| circle following slight rise OF ground,
| which is everywhere oyergrown with blue
grass. 1t would be difficult TO find or to
produce, even with a considerable expendi-
ture of money, "a more beautiful location
for the home than this little grove has fur
nished ready made.
The form In which the buildings are
constructed Is that OF "A small village, but
there is no subdivision OF land and nc
sale of lets -The school will hold, In til
own name and for its own use, all land
houses, shops and implements OF every
kind. There Is no way in which any per
son can secure a speculative or even legiti
mate business interest in any of the worl
of this school There Is no plan for ad
mitting, for residence In this village, any
one who does not come solely for an edu
cational purpose.
The school simply provides an opportu
nifty for study for those who are willing
by their own toll, TO take advantage o
such opportunity, and the only return OF
fered for labor Is mental training. Ih'
man who does not want to study has NJ
reason for going there and will not be ad
mitted, or, il admitted by mistake, vii
not be permitted to return All who ar
not willing to labor with their own hand
at tasks necessary to comfortable existenc
are also excluded.
In fact, this unique community com
bines the elements of socialism and com
munism, and it IL TO be hoped withou
any of their evils. The aim of the student
of the Peoples university is to sink indi
vidualism and accomplish the creates
good for all
Here Is the order of the days work: Tn
rising bell rings at o'clock, breakfast
at 6, chapel at half past q, and all hand
attend this morning service In their WORK
ing clothes They go direct from thi
service to their work In the field. AT
Quarter to IL the bell rings, field call
dinner Dinner Is at 10 minutes past IL
and the classes begin at half past /. A
half past the classroom work Is over
Supper is at d.
From half past 9 to 8 the time Is spen
; In rest and play, and from to 8 In study
. after which the day Is done and all retire
Sunday afternoon is ones own for readin
and rest, and at 3 In the AFTERNOON ser,
ice of public worship is held. The Use G
tobacco, intoxicants and opiates is not pei
mitted within the university's precincts.
The work of building this communit
: Was undertaken by Walter Thomas miff'
? who, as field secretary for the organizt
ton, Is entirely responsible for its mar
agement The appointment OF teachers
securing of students, direction OF disciplin
i'm fact, the complete management OF tn
school in its industrial and classroom
work--are, for the present, In his hands.
Is an old idea of his. Mr. Mills Is know
: as a lecturer on temperance and other 81
cial and economic topics.
: The wonderful growth Of the crops {
a the little colony and the very satisfactor
returns which the immediate future prom
ises are held to Justify the expectatlo
I that, in very short time the fruits of Il
c own toll will entirely provide Tor its SUI
v port-New York Herald.
Tho First Calendar for D5.