The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-03-05
For an Increased Appropriation.

The ADVOCATE has been consistent oppo-
nent of state aid to any educational lnstltu
tons except public schools. We have taken
the ground that the state is not even required
n furnish public schools, but thatit has been
done. and wisely, because in republican
farm of government the administration OF
affairs is good or bad as the people are intel
igent or ignorant. But here, the ADVOCATE
has always contended, the state ought to stop.
But contrary policy has been adopted, and
there is no probability of it being abandoned.
In fact the tendency is to add to the instltu-
lions receiving state aid and TO increase the
appropriations heretofore given. Appropria-
lions have been made to erect buildings at
several institutions, and propositions are
pending for other appropriations for the same
purpose. 1t is probable, too, that the pres
ent General Assembly will vote 800, 600 an
nually for two years to the Johns Hopkins
University, which has suffered losses through
the bankruptcy of the Baltimore Ohio rail
road
Since the state has pursued for many years
the policy of aiding higher institutions OF
learning, with tendency to broaden that
policy so as to include the highest institution
of learning in the state, we have no hesitancy
in endorsing the proposition pending before
the General Assembly to increase the appro-
pr;ation for Western Maryland College. This
institution should really receive first con sid
Grafton from the state, for while IT has been
receiving an animal appropriation from the
state for about twenty years. it has rendered
full service for the money it received and has
never appeared in the attitude of begSar.
No money has been asked to hquidate debts
or TO erect buildings, as has been done by
other colleges, and Western Maryland College
has reached its present high standard on its
own merits.
Western Maryland College is the only col
Iege in the state that accepts as students both
sexes. and in the awarding of scholarships
Young men who prefer to come to this inStitu-
ton are denied the privilege, because pro-
.ision must be made for girls. The college,
for the Sc, 500 it receives annually from the
state, educates twenty-six students, one from
each county and each senatorial district in
Baltimore. The course is four years and
board and tuitiol are furnished. In the past
twenty years the college has had 10 state
students. AS of whom were graduated, and
sent out into the ranks Of public school teach
ers. No other institution, receiving state
augmentation. we believe. furnishes board
and tuition, but tuition only.
The college is now asking for an increased
aporonriation of Sc, 800 annually, making
$4,000 in all. For this the institution pro-
poses to take hfty-two state students. twenty
six of each sex. 1t is not askinga gratuty,
rs some institutions have asked and received,
but proposes to render full service for the
money received. The trustees would be con-
tent to iorego the appropriation 1t receives, II
The state should decide to abandon the policy
of giving collegiate education to the bright
boys and girls who desire to prepare them
selves for teachers in public schools and win
scholarships by competitive examination. but
SO long as this policy is pursued Western
MARYLAND College desires to be on an equal
footing with other educational institutions.
As it is the only college that receives and
graduates females as well as males, the trus
ices believe they should have an approprla-
ton to educate an equal number of both sexes,
and have gone before the General Assembly
with proposition to carry out this desire.
The Senator and Delegates from Carroll
should support the bill.