The news & observer., 1897-06-16

Massachusetts Missouri, Nebraska, Ne
vada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ok
lahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Vir-
ginia, Washington and Wyoming, is
the president of the college, also the
head of the station or even a member of
the station staff. All of these fourteen
eases, with the exception of Massachu-
sets, are second or third rate stations,
not especially noted for practical results.
1t is a pity that Mr. Massey cannot
find time from his multifarious writings
to instruct the foolish agricultural scien-
fists, who, at the Denver convention in
1895, adopted the following resolutions:
Il. That all the appropria tons received
under the Hatch Act should be applied
in good faith to agricultural research and
experimentation and dissemination of the
results among the people; that any diver
sion of funds for the use of colleges
would be a direct violation OF the spirit
Of the law.
''2. That the experiment stations should
be so far separate and distinct from the
colleges that at any moment
it may be able to show that all funds
= under Hatch Act have been ex
pended solely for purposes of agricultural
experimentation. ~
''3. That every department 49, de-
sienated as an agricultural experiment
station should be distinctly organized
with its duties and control clearly defined
and with a recognized official head whose
time shall be chiefly devoted to this
department and whose compensa-
ton shall recognize the fact that the
Ju+;ac nf Tho roc;tion nrn,1pv ayarv month
in the year.
81. The publication of the stations
shall be entirely separate from those
colleges" **
The committee who prepared the
above rules was composed Of Messrs.
Dabney, Chamberlain, Alvord, Lee and
Willits-names whose authority on mat
ters of this sort Mr.. Massey will not
dispute.
The North Carolina Experiment Sta
ton, under the uninterrupted director
ship of DR.. III. B. Battle since 1887, has
taken a stand far up in the front rank
and its work and influence has been for
long time the admiration and envy
Of neighboring stations. To its director,
more than any other man, this rank is
due, but in truth, he has, during my
nearly ten years of service, been sus-
lrained by board of educated, far-seeing,
unselfish and patriotic men, including
Isucn names as Primrose, Green, Brough-
ton, Capehart and others. | do not know
the politics of these men, but | do know
that they faithfully, and without dis
ttinction between Tyrian and Trojan, per-
formed their duties, and that no appli-
cant for station aid was ever asked his
politics. Ali honor to these meni
In ten-years' intimate official con-
nection with Director Battle, | have
never found him other than a hard-work
ing, sweet tempered, upright gentleman,
scholar and scientist, always ready and
eager to introduce new ideas or improve
ments from whatsoever source. His loss
to the agriculture of North Carolina at
this time will, without doubt, prove mora
disastrous than flood or famine, for his
native ability and long service, has given
him possession of and easy control of
lines, knowledge and local adaptations
that his successor, however endowed, will
be long in equalling.
For myself, | must be pardoned if |
say that the ten years Of my service have
been a labor of love. / am willing to be
judged by my accomplished work taken
in connection with the opportunities af-
forded me. The stipend | have drawn
has not made me rich, and when my
term expires shall quit the State older,
wiser and probably poorer than | came
My term has not expired, nor has my
contract with the board been knowingly
violated in any way by me. l shall ap-
peal to the honor and seGSe OF justice
of North Carolinians to enforce the terms
of this contract, or the State courts to
grant me sustained and exemplary dam
ages for its reputation.
Very respectfully,
GERALD MCCARTHY.
Botanist and En4omologist n G. Ex-
pertinent Station
June IA, 1897.