The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-02-13

the discussion Mt tho time it was made.
First, what was the State College ex-
pected to be Or inten dsd to be? A great
State University? Let us cite some tes-
timony on that point. In 1864 when the
matter was pending Secretary Goodale
of the State Board CT Agriculture dis
cussed the question in his annual report.
Let us quote from that report Speaking
Of the superintendent Mr.. Goodale says:
He will requiIo all the students to
wGrE on tbs farm or in the gardens some
Tires hours daily, TO become acquainted
with all the details of practinal husband
ry, to use the various tools with their
| own hands, and perform all kinds of
WORK required in the Enanageme Mt of the
farm n nd stock. He will teach them to
dig, to plow, to plant, to hoe to drain,
&c. in she best manner, while thefprofes-
sors of the college will enable them to
understand exactly why each is to be
done, or the reasons for the operations, so
that labor may be applied TO the best
possible advantage.
= = *
The annual revenue derived from the
national bounty will pay the salaries
of all the professors needed to instruct
the several clasaes. 1t will also secure
from the most eminent soientitiS Tnen OF
the country, not connected with the col
lege, Indeed, if economically expended,
it will Qefray all the expenses except
those incurred for the erection of the
buildings For these the state must
provide, assisted, perhaps, ny private
benefactions. 1t is asked to expend a few
thousand dollars with d certainty OF
realizing millions in the increased IN
telli2enoe and consequent advancement
of agricultural and all kindred indus
trial pursuits. ."
Further on the report discussing the
question whether the college then pro-
posed should be connected with some
and independents one, the Secretary says:
But doubts do exists in the minds of
some. whether it is practicable for an
independent agricultural college TO be
suitably maintained upon the income
OF the fund to be derived from the slae
Of land scrip which falls to our share as
q state-and an unwillingness exists
with rome, either to rely upon the vol
untary benefactions Of the friends OF
agricultural education or ask aid from
the state. Che amount which may be
realized for an endowment from the
prooee of sale is worry uncertain. Pos
sibly any fear of it's insutficieucy may
prove gEoundless, or suitable efforts may
elicit private donations hereafter to an
extent sufficient to make good any pos
sible deficiency; in either of which cases
an independent existence is practicable
without state aid.
sMr. Goodale was speaking for the
farmers, for whose particular benefit this
institution was created. His ideas were
their ideas. Can anybody find in his
language trace of the modern idea
that the State College was intended to
be ''great state university supported
the people? Can anybody discover in
it trnca of the idea thut the state en-
tered into contract, or was expected to
enter into a contract with the United
States to support this college? There is
suggestion that state aid might be
asked, but not as right under con-
tract, but as voluntary gift. The ideas
expressed in this rapport 10th as regards
the character of the institution and
it's relation to the state are entirely at
variance with those that the champions
of this institution are setting up today.
Then the students were to be taught
| to root, and pIow and plant. Now the
roofing and Flowing is done chiefly by
the trustees in the legislative halls at
the Capital. The 'great state universe
ty'' idea has supplRnted the modest
ideas of its founders, and the reluctance
which they betrayed to call upon the
state for a. small appropriation has been
,1op fv mr.
poses to go to the extent of burdening
the state with permanent general mill
tax for it's special benefit. Bowdoin,
Colby, and Bates carry on their work
with out q cent of aid from the state.
The State College originally received
100000 acres Of land from the general
government; then under the agricultural
experiment bill SIS, 900 was added to the
annual income; then under the Morrill,
act of 1890, S21. 000 year was added
which will be increased to S25, con. 1t
has received from the state up to the
present time more than 1858, 600 and
still it is crying for more. Isn't it high
time that halt was called? Isn't it
time to stop now that the President has
announced his purpose Of adding to our
already sufficient numerous colleges
great state university supported by
taxation? Can We afford TO build up
great state universities by general tax
alton while the average pay of the
woman teacher in the country school is
but S. a week and the average length of
the summer term of school but eleven
weeks: Isn't the states first duty to the
common schools, the schools of the peo-
pie, and until they are brought some
where near to a reasonable eff cheney had
we not better try to get along without
"great state upiversity?"
The proyerbial longevity of the Society
kc fIlllzz EoSta hli