The advocate., 1897-09-01

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their assistants, have done the work
which has enabled the station to main
tain It's standing at Washington, others
with their assistants have satisfied
themselves primarily with drawing
their salaries-One department having
published nothing to show for its work
and receipts since it's separate estab-
lishment in September, 1894; and its
head having done apparently almost
nothing in the way Of experimental
work and publication since 1890, If not
since 1888.
Z. In addition to the preceding there
exist certain differences mot pOliticaD
between the board and the retiring adj
ministratiOn--dif regarding the
degree of freedom which should be ac-
corded to students in the choice Of
studies; in the expression Of opinion,
as through the college paper; and in
the opportunity to become In meas
ure acquainted with the college world.
We differ in part from the outgoing
administration on questions OF the ad-
ministratiOn of discipline; the board
believing that in certain well-defined
cases students have been provoked by
professors into acts of insubOrdination,
and then punished; said professors es-
Gaping uncensured, save by public
opinion.
We differ fundamentally, moreover,
with respect to certain aspects Of the
work Of an agricultural college.
Hitherto the attempt has been made
in this college to impart to students
the rudiments of a general education,
to supplement this with a measure Of
instruction of college grade, to train
the hands in industrial work, and to
prepare the students for the function
of Wealth-producers All Of this, gen.
orally speaking, and so far as it goes,
we indorse. We hold, however, that
the time has come when such an edu-
cation no longer sufices for the wants
either Of the student or of the indus
trial and agricultural classes. The wide
diffusion of popular education has
practically destroyed the scholars
monopoly, and the college graduate is
found in the ranks of the unemployed.
Further, to seek to advance the inter
ests of the producing classes by teach
ing them simply to produce more abun-
dainty no longer meets their require
ments; for, by common consent, they
are already overprOducing the staples
and, in large part, the luxuries Of life;
such oVerproductiOn, accompanied by
corresponding undercOnsumption on
the part of majority of the popula-
tion, resulting in ruinOusly low prices,
and in gluts and industrial stagnatiOn.
We believe the time has fully come
when the producing classes must grap-
pie scientifically and intelligently with
the principles governing distribution
and exchange. This necessity, how
ever the retiring administration would
not concede Attempts made in the
past to enlarge the facilities for such
instruction, not on partisan, but on
scientific, lines, have been steadily and
vigorously opposed both by the Presi-
dent and by an overwhelming majority
of the faculty. With the issue thus
clearly defined, it became inevitable
that either the board or the President
and faculty must give way.
In view of the foregoing facts, this
board resolved at it's April meeting to
take action. Such action, however,
was not hasty. One member Of its ma
jority is an old resident of Manhattan
and patron of the institution; two
others have served each a full three
year term on a previous board, and
have long been convinced of the need
for thorough reorganization of the
college. The board began by remOv-
ing five professors and superintend-
ents, while the President and two pro-
fessors resigned, one resignation being
independent of the reorganization. At
the first June meeting, three other