The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
THE FAILURE OF THE KID
GLOVE IDEA.
Biblical Recorder.

Biblical Recorder.
The North Carolina College of Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts has been
drifting for several years; from the day
it left its mOorings it has sailed out of
its course. Conceived as an institution
for farmers and mechanics, technical
school, an institution for the learning of
trades and the Improvement of work
manshp, those who have controlled it
have steadily aimed to make it Litera-
ry institution of low grade, with enough
of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at
tached to draw the funds set apart for
colleges conducted in that name. As Il
result, the situation of the college is
most serious. and about it now there
are many doctors with many schemes
for its relief--a condition of some of
them being that the doctors be perman-
emily employed!
Conducted upon the plan originally
intended there is great need and Il
great future for this institutions; con-
Quoted as it has been so far it can never
amount to Il great deal. The only hope
is ''to begin all over again." profiting by
the experience of the last few years.
Even then, being dependent upon poll
tical influence for support, it must needs
have political changes and political
greed to contend with; but as trades
school. a technical institution, IL college
of practical instruction. it will find great
relief.
There is. no need for it and no future
for it as Literary Institution. To en-
deavor to make one of it is to argue
that the University of the State has
failed and that the denominational col
leges are inadequate. To make litera-
ry institution of it can benefit no one
save the professors who conduct its de-
partments.
But as a technical school, whether
rightfully or wrongfully we are not here
discussing, it can fill place untitled i'll
North Carolina and serve more young
men than any other one institution. 1t
has Il spendid income, more income by
appropriation than any other institution
in the State, more income per student
than amy other. 1t could reach out
into North Carolina and take up five
hundred boys Il year and teach them to
build houses. lay brick. make machinery
and run it, conduct farms and orchards,
raise stock, and develop mines and full
fill thus great mission. There is many
Il boy now who drives ten miles to Il
depot for Il bag of guano who could be
taught to make fertilizer ut home. And.
if we mistake not the mission of TINS
institution was conceived to be to such
boys. But the kid-glove idea has pre-
vailed. The institution does not reach,
does not try to reach this class, does not
pretend to do this work. The people
have no confidence in it, no hope for it.:
1t is on the rocks.
Better begin over again.
Get Il teacher of Horticulture who
will teach that department, attend to
his own business-withOut writing sour
rilous articles anonymously for the
press. without recommending Potash"
for everything under heaven at so much
per line. without assuming to run the
Board of Trustees. without trying to
run two other professors infinitely his
superiors out of the faculty, without try
ing to get one OF their houses to live in:
Do this for one thing, and there will be
hope.
And in place of the fawning fellows
who infest the halls of legislation. when
they ought to be teaching, and lobby not
OHly Iof appropriations, puI Aoi - u"
tees whom they can control, get real
teachers. Then, at any rate, the alumni
of the institution can have some conSld-
Grafton in the selection of trustees.
There is hope for the North Carolina
College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts, if its Trustees will resist the ia
Guilty clique who are running it and max
ing life burden for their fellow teach
ers: there is hope if the trustees will
make of the institution somewhat of
that which it's founders desired. But
there is no hope unless they begin all
over again.
4 splendid plant. an excellent location,
; magnificent income, large field Of use
fuIness; but all so far to no purpose.
The kid-glove idea has failed; the peo-