Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-12-30
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE.
+ Written for the ELLSWORTH AMERICAN by J
NJ HutChins.

{
More han thirty years age, when his
! nation WIS rocking amid the throes OF a
gigantic rebelion-a war for the preserva-
+ ton OF I he Union " hch wac the result OF
ignorance and wickeduess= the statesmen
/ OF that day, than W hich no other period
in our natlons history presents q more
brilliant array OF public men distin-
guished fer their eminent abilities their
patriotism and their bread statesman
ship, looking forward With soiicitude to
the future OF this republic. conceived the
idea OF more practical education for the
masses the conseryer Of national
strength and greatness IN the times OF
peace and its strongest bulwark in the
time OF war.
Out OF the inspiration and genius of
that trying period sprang forth his col
lege More han half million OF lives
had been sacrificed. and TWO billions Of
dollars had been sunk IN a seR Of blood,
but this nation did no; feel too poor To
launch out With LIBERAL land grant for a
higher public education, nor did this
state feel too poor TO accept this dona-
ton in the same generous spirit and
broad s,atesmans ship in which it was ten
dered and pledge her support in the es-
tsbIls hment and maintenance Of col
Iege which would lit the industrial
classes 10 higher opportunities, and ele-
vate he character OF American manhood.
After the lapse Of more than thirty
years, when the wealth OF the nation has
been trebled and our state has shared in
no small degree the general prosperity,
with brighter prospects for the future. We
have been asked by the prejudiced
critics OF his college TO 60 back on our
record, to take R retrogressiye step in the
course of public ducation. But the
Maine legislature, at is last session, did
not feel willing TO publish 10 the world
that Maine mad vioist ed the spirit II
not the obligation in " Inch this college
was founded, and no longer opened its
doors free TO her sons and daughters.
They gave il ten years lease OF life, or
release from he worry and agitation and
humiliation OF coming to the legislature
every two years, through its officers, and
begging for means to prolong its exis-
tence. They thought II wise to give it a
chance to plan somew hat for the future,
with some hope that its plans could be
carried out.
The report OF the trustees shows that
new buildings iare absolutely needed to
relieve the crsmped condition OF the coll
lege-to give sufficient room for recits-
ton, for drill and for the mechanical and
engineering departments but / he friends
of the college were willing to wait and to
sacritice.a while longer until the financial
prosperity OF the state should begin to
rise. Why they need larger appropris-
tion than formerly was set forth in
sentence in the report OF the trustees :
''The facilities that were ample three
| years ago for 1879 students, are entirely
1 inadequate tor 3l6 o-dsy."
No one who knows the character OF the
+ trustees-men OF eminent business abialty
and integrity, broad minded, OF large
public spirit, at heart devoted to the IN
terests OF the college and State alike, who
+ receive but paltry sum for their services
can listen To the story OF the financial
management of this college without COM
/ ing to the conclusion that not single
dollar has been wasted or unwisely used.
/ This college has been put on trial, and
what are The sccusat ions that confront il?
We are told that it does not turn out
/ farmers enough. Neither the State nor
national act eompels it to turn out a sin
/ gle farmer or mechanic. In the language
of the original act of Congress It was 10
instruct in the sciences that relate to ag-
ticulture and the mechanic arts, and it
WAS in no sense held legally responsible
for the outcome of It's instructions.
When it had provided ample courses and
facilities for scientific and practical in
struetion in these, ana had given the BEN