Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-01-02
OF Tho State University Again.

DEMOCRAT W tcprdt bi9
that the state university is ian insti-
tuition OF which we should all be
proud etc.
In his article Mr.. Latin raises no
new argument to meet, and scarcely
touches the objection that the uni
versity, as at present managed and
supported, works inequity upon the
tax payers Of the state. He does not
deny the proposition that the young
man or woman of scanty means, to
obtain ali education at the university,
| must do so despite an environment
and domination of class distinction
based on wealth. But he assures US
that there Is less of this class dis
tinction at Madison than at other
large educational institutions. This
apology is better than none-perhaps.
A distinguishing and most infiuen-
tial feature Of offensive aristocratic
development in the university, which
all recognize and but few attempt to
condone. is the Greek letter frater-
nifty fad. With an extract from the
private letter of friend at Madison,
who IL an enthusiast for the uni
versity, this branch of the subject
may be dismissed. He says:
II received your paper today, and
read carefully your structures on the
university. ] am sorry to say that
there is too much foundation for
them.
THE octopus of the fraternities has
its clutch upon the very best inter-
ests of the university, and is weigh
ing 1t down and hurting il terribly.
The fraternity societies are the bane
Of its life.
II am not afraid OF honest criti-
cism, tof the university 1t will do
1t good. Therefore be not intimi-
dated by the dudes who are in the
majority in its management at the
present time
In attempting to refute the charge
that general taxation throughout the
state for support OF the university,
a. at present managed, is inequitable
and unjust, Mr.. Latin conspicuously
exhibits the weakness Of his cause.
He says: aThe same is true OF hospi-
tails, insane asylums, public charities
courts Of justice and every other pub
lie institution; for persons directly
benefited are but a small proportion
of the number taxed for their sup
port" Can it be that Mr. Latin ex-
poets intelligent people to accept
this as good defence Of his position,
or does he not see how ridiculously
inapt and weak it is? The public
institutions mentioned, and the many
others Of kindred character, are
bullded and maintained, not that the
privileged few may enjoy special adj
vantages ut the expense OF the many
but that the unavoidable burden oil
the care and control of few unfor-
Inmates and criminals may bear
evenly upon the many shoulders.
Further, the peopling of these insti-
buttons Ii regulated by radically diff
ferent laws and rules from those gov
erning admission to the university
For our insane hospitals, asylums
reform schools, etc, each county
paws in ratio to the number of its cit
| liens therein, and relatives Of unfor-
tunates, when financially able, are re-
ouired to pay for their maintenance
10 make these institutions and the
university PARALLEL, the laws and
regulations governing it must be
changed 50 that attendance at the
university will be from the several
counties in proportion to population
and the tax for its support levied in
each county based on the per capita
of students. Under such system the
ineauty of taxation for the uniyer-
sity would be largely overcome
Dane county would get her quota in
the institution at the same rate pen
lpau llluI lhMA IpdiAS Pds . tAEhN1 N'
of at one-tenth the rate as now. If the
university can be placed IN like attl-
tude 70 the whole people Of the state
to that occupied by insane hospitals
we should be inclined to favor Its
maintenance at even increased public
cost. But that is probably not feas-
ible, or, more vital, is not desirable
to the powerful elementnaw shaping
the destinies Of that institutions; for
| if il were filled by selection from the
most promising youth " the several
counties, the people deciding the
personnel OF students as well as pay
ing the bills, ii might lose it, char
acter as an institution agreeable to
the sons and daughters of our wealth
Ter citizens, and they might again be
sent elsewhere for education.
What has been said in this dis
cussion might leave an impression
that the sum 81 about $4,000 raised
by tax this year for support of the
university is all the cost Of its annual