The Portland daily press., 1897-03-17

aisons agreeu with senator Savage.
So did Senator Engel who addressed the
Senate at length on the desirab;,itv of
getting all the amendments in now.
Senator Clason amended by inserting
the figures $4,000. The amendmant
also authorized the trustees tu charge
tuition. Senator Savage amended BY
striking out the words ''ten" and adding
the word ''two' in line four of tho re.
solve.
Senator Clason then opened his sneeoh
against the appropriation of $25, 600.
| Hostility is not measured by dollars
and cents. / am warm friend OF that
| institution. The demands of the collece
are excessive. We demand fair discus
sion. 1t is fair to the state to know
what the future policy towards this
school shall be. We want to make TO-
days vote decisive. When will this de-
mand endP They will want new build
ings. AS soon as they get more students
they will want more money. In the next
ten years they will ask between $500. 900
and $1,000, 600. They are grating it into
the common schools.
| 81 am not in favor of this appropria-
ton. The state is generous; it cannot
afford to be lavish
Senator Clason took up the statement
of Prof. Wood that Maine had been "nia-
gardly' and used the deadly parallel of
the professors chart against him.
"These charts have been used for cleo.
pioneering purposes. Those naures need
explaining. They are not fair"
Senator Clason contrasted the grade
of education taught in New England
with that given in South Carolina.
The southern colleges are not to BIZ COM
pared with ours. They are lower, much
lower.
Bowdoin, Colby. Bates and Maine state
colleges are infinitely superior to
anything South Carolina can offer.
Proceeding from South Carolina, Mr..
Clason took up Louisiana and New Jer-
sey, showing how Maine has the advan-
tage More than 200 Maine students are
now in Massachusetts colleges. They are
credited to Massachusetts when they
could be credited to Maine.
Senator Clason then took up the his
tory Of Maine State college from the
time the United States grant was ac-
oepted until now, claiming it was the in
tention of Maine to make the college self
supporting after the buildings were erect
ed.
"The demands were growing too rapid
ly. Thers seems to be no end. Give
them SIS, 900 a year and let them charge
tuition. The charging of tuition will
not keep students away. 1t does not do
so in other schools.
Mr.. Clason cited state schools whore
tuition was charged.
Senator Parsons of Piscataquis began
his speech at 11.50.
"We are here to legislate for all Maine
have no kindred in the Maine State
College and no friends there. l believe
in Maine. in the college for the people,
and III Inequality Of all men,"
Senator Parson reviewed the story of
the resolve and it's diminishing size.
care we safe to stand aere and OPP
pose the college? The college is not
carrying out the provisions of the act.
That is the fault they find with it. She
is doing too much. The boys take
the studies that will pay them the best.
"The State College does not discourag &c
farming. 1t fosters this calling and
honors those who follow it. President
Harris is working hard to elevate la
Dor, doing more than any other man
in Maine
Senator Parsons turned Mr.. Cason' 8
parallel argument against him by show
ing the educational results IN Illinois.
"The West is ahead Of us far more than
we ara ahead of the South
i Referring to tuition, Senator Parsons
said there should be one school in Maine
where the poor boy could complete his
education without cost. The Senator told
of several instances of self-denial by
Orono students.
"Of the 40 odd colleges that were es-
tablished under this act, 81 ara free. I
am satisfied that anything less than
$25, 900 will seriously cripple the college.
Make it $25, goo and give ii for ten
years.
Judge Stearns of Aroostook was glad
the whole college controversy was to be
considered now. He hoped none Of the
amendments would prevail. The college
needed the money. Whence can it come
From the state of Maine. The obligation
Of the state to provide for the college
cannot be denied. 1t was implied when
the grant was accepted, not only implied,
but distinctly understood.
"The college Ia carrying out the very
design of it's founders. The school is
surviving the very purpose intended.
This TGchool is no rival Of other colleges.
1t is needed for itself, to educate the
poor boy, to lift to 1t and to elevate
manhood. Tuition will yield a reve-
nue.. 1t is true. but the charging of tu-