New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-18
LAND GRANTS FOR COLLEGES
A BILL. PENDING IN CONGRESS IN AID OF
EDUCATION.
ESPECIALLY INTENDED 10 SWELL THE RE-
SOURCES OF TIE SOUTH AND WEST
STATE UNIVERSITY PREsI-
DENTS ASK FOR 1T.

STATE UNIVERSITY PREs1-
DENTS ASK FOR 1T.
Washington. May II CspeciaD.-A bill Is pending In
Congress which has attracted little attention. put
which is of much interest to number OF educa-
tiora institutions of the country. The measure was
introduced In the Senate some time ago oy MI
Wathali Its advantages are pointed out in me-
| morial which has been submitted TO the senate
signed by Robert b. Fulton. chancellor OF the Uni
yersiy OF Mississippi W. o. Thompson. president OF
Miami University: r. II. Jesse. president OF the
! University OF Missouri A. s. Draper. president OF
the University OF Illinois. and James Is. AngeH.
president Of the University of Michigan consutut-
ing a committee OF he National Association OF
State Universities The sigrers say that they SUD-
mt II with prayer for such action on the part or
Congress for increase Of educational facilities IN
tho States as may be equitable and in accord with
the policy heretofore followed by Congress
Tho Walthall bill! provides In brlef. that there
shall be granted TO the several States an amount
of public land TO be apportioned TO each state
quantity equal 10000 acres for each Senator and
Representative in Congress to which the States are
entitled under the census OF 1890. From the NUMBER
of acres which would thus be granted TO States that
have heretofore received grants for seminaries or
universities there Is 10 be deducted an amount
which has been conveyed by Congress under what IS
commonly known the seminary or university
grants These States to receive under the Dill
the difference between what they would receive
under its provisions and the acreage already grant
Cd to them Afte, being surveyed. the land granted
by tho bill Ia to be apportoned TO the seVera o'a'cS
in sections or subdivisions Of sections. not less than
one-quarer OF a section. and the Secretary OF the
Interior IS authorized TO issue each State OF the
Union land scrip for the amount In acres 10 whicn
It may be entitled under the bill The scrip or
the proceeds thereof is TO be applied 10 the uses
prescribed in the bill.
All moneys derived from the sale Of land scrip
are 10 be deposited in the treasures OF the several
States which are 10 Issue therefor certificate OF
Indebtedness bearing interest perpeualy at rate OF
no: less than 5 per contum per annum ard mo
nroceeds Of the scrip are 10 constitute permanent
fund the capital OF which IS TO remain forever un-
diminished. and the interest of which Is TO be IN
violab,y appropriated by each State to tho endow-
mont maintaining and support OF the state UNI
yersty therein or OF such other seminary or semi
naries Of learning within the State as have been
founded upon or maintained by the grant OF land
made by Congress In other States. 20 which no
grant for sonnaries universities has heretofore
been made this lntercs, be appropriated to the
endowment maintenance and support OF some ihsti-
tuition Of higher learning within the State to be des-
isnatcd by the Legislature thereof. and the money
or interest aforesaid Is to be used for other pur
poses than those indicated.
In the memorial referred to II IS pointed out that
the history OF education In the United States shows
that the first colonsts within tho border OF the
the fathers OF the KepuDHc ana al later
statesmen who have been leaders In National or
State Affairs have recognized the imperative ne
cess!ty OF general and thorough education OF the
people for the preservation and perpetuation OF
American Institutions; and that from the very be-
ginning Of the life % the Nation II has been ac
ceptod as oac OF the proper and most benehcent
functions of the Government 10 aid and encourage
schools and all means OF education and dissemina-
ton OF knowledge. In the New England and other
colonies this Governmental aid and fostering care
la!l the foundation for the common schools and
higher institutions OF learning which constitute tho
machinery FOR general education in the Eastern and
older States In every State OF the Union Is now
maintained a system OF public education whose form
and extent have been determined by the past ex-
por!ence and the present resources OF each State.
Tho States In which tho Federal Government did
not coutrol the public domain have each delevoped
a system Of common schools supported by the
State partly from the proceeds OF lands set apart
for this purpose 10y tho states at early period.
and partly from funds raised by taxation In some
OF those States IN which the Federal Government
Ola not control the public domain. universities or
institutions Of higher learning also maintained
This IL truo In Virginia. North Carolina. South
Carolina. Georgia ard Texas. In the Eastern and
Middle States tho States have aided but do not con-
troll colleges or universities In twenty-nlne OF the
newer States. including those lying west OF the
Allegheny Mounta'ns excepting West Virginia |
Tennessee. Kentucky and Texas a definite form
the provisions made by Congress for the foundation
OF those states This legislation. the memorial |
says. was the logical result OF the sentiment which
had prevailed !n the colonies from the beginning |
and whlch found definite and forcble expression in |
10" clause o. the ordinance Of July g. I1s7. which
declares that Religion. morality and knowledge |
being necessary 20 good government and the happi-
ness Of mankind schools and the means OF edg- |
cation shall forever be encouraged
Following the spirit OF this policy Congress began !
the cours, of granting to the States formed out OF
the public domain portions OF he public lands for |
common schools and Tor sernlnaries OF learning or
State universities Thu earliest acts OF Congress in
reference to these grants Indicate some uncer-
Il nty as TO the amount OF lands that would be |
granted 10 each State for the purpose In some |
S,ies. such % Indiana ana Illinois in the Ter !
rliOrla period one township reserved from sale
to be granted u the state upon It's admission into
tn Enion for a seminary OF learning: TO Ohio |
three townships were granted nnd upon the adj
1T least were granted. In come states four town
ships were granted. These grants were made to
nguiehcG from other educational institutions the
total amount for the purpose being lslso $50 acres
ming in the &c, q July lssS donating public lands
provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and
tn" mechanic arts. This act granted to States an
pnny aa TO to De neGes oS 20 eaeh
Senator and Representative in Congress to which
Of 1861 Gmder ' this act anS. have beeS s
70 G ia ws e n nh the Of rn aG
Is uncertain. the total grants including 100000
acres The act OF August 80. 1890. makes a further
grant to each OF tie State and Territories out OF
funds arising from the sale Of public lands OF
sum which now amounts 10 $4,000 per annum to
each state and Territory. and which may be IN
creased to $4,000 per Year. The apportionment
under the act OF 1862 was upon the basis OF popu-
latlon. as determnci approximately by representa-
tion In Congress. The apportonmeut under the act
OF 1880 was upon the basis OF an equal sum every
State and Territory.
Having reviewed the subject above. the memo
railsts say that. believing 1t 10 have been the pur-
pose OF Congress to bestow this aid to meet tho
needs OF all forms OF education In all the States
they earnestly ask attention TO the special needs OF
higher education as represented by the seminarieu
or universities. particularly in the West and South
In those states the chief the work