Evening star., 1896-11-12
F ARM COLLEGES
The Convention of Agricultural
Teachers Meets Senator Morrill,.
THEQUESTION OF A NAME CONSIDERED
Efforts Toward a Uniform Curricu-
lum in Agricultural Colleges.
AT THE WHITE HOU S E

AT THE HITE HOU S E
This morning as the convention of agri-
cultural teachers and experiment station
workers were prosily discussing the name
of their association a sudden burst OF
applause interrupted proceedings. A spare,
blue-eyel old gentleman had quietly en-
tered the rear of the hall and stood alone
in the region Of empty seats looking on.
1t was Senator Morrill,. the author of the
legislation which called the agricultural
colleges of the United States into being
and placed them on a firm endowment by
what Is known as the land grant college
law. The eye of a delegate in the rear OF
the assemblage caught sight of the Sena-
tor and he at once announced his presence
to the convention, and asked suspension
of business. In an instant every delegate
in the house was on his feet cheering their
distinguished visitor. President Buckham
of the University of Vermont escorted Sena-
tor Morrill, to the front, where President
Johnson presented him to the convention.
AS the Senator took seat there the on
ventfon once more resumed The routine
business, their guest evidently taking mitch
interest In the proceedings.
The most important business transacted
was the final adoption of the Murkland
report after it's e,countering many viciSs!-
tudes in the parliamentary gauntlet of a
meeting where everybody knows all about
CALCIUM carbonate, protein, food rations,
eXoxmose and all that sort of thing, and
almost nothing of the rules of order in a
public assemblage- 1t was supposed yes
terday that this report. which provides
for uniform entrance requirements, courses
of study and degrees in all the colleges, was
to be referred TO the executive committee to
report for consideration year hence. But
1t was found that mere was mistake
about the postponement for a year, and
this morning the executive committee
brought the matter up again with q faVora-
BILE report on the measure. With no sub
stsntial opposition the report was adopted.
College Studies.
The report urges that all the colleges in
the association be parsimonious in giving
degrees and that only the degree Of bach
elor of science be conferred for a four
years technical course The statement in
the diploma that the degree is conferred for
the accomplishment Of the course in agri-
culture, engineering, chemistry, &C., it is
thought would afford differentiation enough
to distinguish the several varieties of the
degree. For this degree the colleges are to
require a least the following studies, what
ever additional studies in agricultural sci
ences may be pursued Mathematics at
least through algebra, geometry and trigo-
nometry; physics and chemistry, with lab
oratory work in each; English language
and literature. at least two years work ::
other languages (one at least, modern)
four years; mental science, and logic or
moral science one year; constitutional law !;
social political or economic science, one
year.
The standard of entrance requirements to
be adopted as soon as possible includes the
following studies: Physical geography
United States history, arithmetic, including
fO 6raf
English grammar and composition, together
with the English requirements of the New
England Association, plane geometry one
foreia0 language, one of the natural sci
ence, ancient, general or English history.
Changing the Name.
The much-mooted idea of changing the
name of the association was brought up by
Chancellor MacLean of the University of
Nebraska, chairman of the committee ap-
pointed yesterday to report on that subject.
The committee decided that the name
should be descriptive. and suggested that
it be The Association of Colleges of Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts and Experiment
Stations" Major Alvord made point of
order that the cons stitution could not be
amended unless the proposed amendment
lie over one year after being proposed to
the association in convention. This view of
the matter was about to be acquiesced in
when Prof. Scovell of the Kentucky ex-
pertinent station called attention to the
fact that the subject had been before the
order to vote on the amended name as re-
ported by the committee. Then somebody
said the vote~must be.on roll call by states.
At this point DR.. Smart of Indiana insisted
that an amendmeHti'0f the constitute on
should be definitely framed, lie over one
year. and then be adopted or rejected by
a yes no vote without change in the
amendment as accepted at the previous
meeting. --r-r
Senator Morrill, Speaks.
AS the convention was desirous of hear
ing few words from Senator Morrill, the
name question was then postponed for con-
sideration at the evening session. Senator
Morrill,, when called On for speech, was
received with another enthusiastic out
burst of cheers. He said he had no speech
to make and was there simply to see the
ested with him thirty years ago in secur-
ing legislation to establish the land grant
colleges. He was happy to say that the
measure had met with success and the
colleges were established and prospering.
Beyond this ne had no observations to
make.
Prof Hunt of Ohio presented a resolution
requesting the Secretary of Agriculture to
have a revised edition of the hand book
of experiment stations published, together
with an index Of department publications.
DR.. Smart, chairman of the committee on
nominations of officers for the ensuing
year, presented the following names: For
president, George T. Fairchild of Kansas
for vice presidents, NJ. H. Buckham, Yer
mont; James Wilson, Iowa; James Nc
Bryde, Virginia; Alfred Kingsbury, N. H.
]. E. Stubbs, Nevada for secretary and
reasurer. ]. A. Washburn, Rhode Island;
for executive committee. H. H. Goodell,
Massachusetts; H. c. White, Georgia;
Alexis Cope, Ohio; T. ]. Burrill, Illinois;
for photographer, A. c. True. The report
was adopted and the gentlemen nominated
elected without dissent.
The executive committee reported on the
| resolution offered by MIR. Hamilton OF
Pennsylvania, requesting the Secretary of
Agriculture to consider the need of practi-
cal books agriculture, and recommend
ed the appointment Of a standing COM
| mittee the subject.
A molten to adjourn was made by Presi-
dent Atherton of Pennsylvania who, ir, a
| happy speech, suggested that the delegates
as they retired from The nall greet Senator
Morrill,, the father Of the agricultural col
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