The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-04-25
Portage Lake News
For he Benefit of the
Various Mining
Schools.
Committee Visits the Capitol.
Democratic County Convention select
Delegates 60 the STATE Convtn-
ion-Other News.

snort time ago the question OF gov
eminent aid to the Michigan Mining
School was brought forcibly to the at
tention of those Interested in that insti-
tuition, by the introduction in the house
oil representatives by a western member
named Wilson OF a bill providing that
the proceeds OF the sale of public mineral
land be partly devoted to the establish
ment OF mining schools in certain western
States, and for their aid afterward.
The principle OF aid to the highest ecu
cational institutions by the government
OF the United States has been fully esteb b.
lished by means OF the Morrell and Hatch
bills, apprOpriating part OF the proceeds
OF the sale OF public lands to aid colleges
of agriculture and mechanic arts. In this
way provision was mode to aid most OF
the industries based on our animal aud
vegetable productions, and all our manu-
features by aiding in educating young
men to take part in developing such re-
sources; but no support has been given in
this WY to the vast mining industries,
upon which so great an area of the COM
try is dependent. The Wilson bill was
move in this direction. but it was sec,
tional in character and looked rather to
establishing new schools OF mines than to
aiding the excellent ones that are estab-
lished. Therefore concerted action look.
ing To this latter end was taken last win
ter by various schools engaged in mining
education, resulting ia the recent visit TO
Washington and congress Of selected
committee, for the purpose OF interesting
the national legislators in the matter.
This committee was made up OF the
following: A. A. Johnson, president OF
the University OF Wyoming, chairman;
W. II. Seamon. director OF the New Mex
leo State School OF Mines, secretary:
VI. L Wadsworth, director of the Michi-
gan Mining S-hoo; w. NJ. Thornton,
chairman Of the University OF Virginia,
and NJ. G. Ihlaang dean OF the mining de-
partment, Pennsylvania State College
Before this committee went to Wash
iugton, it was not expected that it would
| be able to do more than to interest some
of the members OF congress, block some
pernicious legislation already under way,
| (the Wilson bili), secure some favorable
reports, and put matters in shape for
subsequent action.
DR.. Wadsworth told the NEWS OF the
Washington visit and appeared very
hopeful of the final happy outcome OF the
committees object The committee was
favorably received by Speaker Reed and
by the various senators. representatives,
and committees it desired to meet. Spe-
cia assistance was giSenit by Represent
atives Stephenson and Aitken, OF this
State
The present house was found in a pecu-
har situation. 1t was determined long
ago by the leaders that no bill should
pass carrying appropriations, excepting
those providing for the actual necessary
expenses OF the government. Owing to
this the most that could be done was to
nut the Mondell bill, that favored by the
visiting committee in shape to pass al
! the next or short session OF congress
One of the great stumbling blocks wa
the Wilson bill, referred to above, aiding
mining schools in nine States. The com
mittee finally succeeded IN getting Mr.
Wilson 20 agree to withdraw his bill an'
to move the passage at the next session
of the Mondeil bill. This was the mos
important thing accomplished by th
visitors, and they are naturally night,
pleased
DIR. Wadsworth remarked that one YER
gratifying thing TO the people oil Mich
uau was his finding that the work AM
standard OF the Mining Schoolwas locke
upon amongst educators and Others a
over the country as being OF the bighes
order, a leader and pioneer in engineerin
education, aud a guide that is being raj
\ idly followed. proof OF this is the lac
that about one-third OF the students a
tending the Mining School are from GU
side OF the State OF Michigan. lt is eve
\ probable that the work OF our instit'
tion ~ better and more favorably know
ontside of Michigan than in the Stat
II GA nronhet etc