The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-24
THE REORGANIZATION OF
THE DEPkR fMENT or AGRICULTURE AND
THE A. & N. College.
Why They Were Separated Two Years Ago.
The Reasons for the Union Of
the Two Now.

the Two Now.
70 the Editor: The Democratic party
is pledged to purge, renoyate and reor-
ganize the various State institutions.
The abve-named institutions need their
full quota of investigation and re1or-
nation at the hands OF the Democrats.
For examine. in the workings of the
college board, two Democratic members,
of notably high character throughout
North Carolina, Withdrew from the first
business meeting of the board: giving
as their reason for 50 doing. that things
were getting too rotten for them to
stand it.
4 prominent Republican member of
the board, after vainly protesting in one
meeting, rendered to the Governor his
written resignation, remarking that he
could stay on the board no longer
where such damnable work was go
ing on.
Then again, there was certainly
something wrong when board members
created places. and worked for, and
were elected to places under their juris-
diction.
After eight Democrats had been re-
moved at one fell swoop, and an effort
was being made to have one of them
reinstated, prominent Republican
member of the board stated that he
would not go back to the college; nor
any other damned Democrat, if he had
any influence.
Another, as publicly stated, that the
whole business would have been cleaned
out if the Republicans had had suitable
material with which to fill the places.
This board gave as their excuse for
some Of the removals that they wanted
to reduce expenses, while in fact they
created new places for themselves and
friends, and then increased by several
hundred dollars the item of salaries.
There is a disposition on the part of
some to retain the present board mem
bers, whose time does not expire March
9th, 1899.
It is but natural and commendable,
that people should feel grateful for IA
yors to them. but the question is, to
what extent is the Democratic party re-
sponsible for the personal debts of gra
titude due Fusionists?
The question will naturally arise, why
the College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts, and the Agricultural Department
were divided.
The prime object was to get the col
lege out of politics, especially at that try
ing time.
When the Agricultural Department
was reorganized in 1897, and board APP
pointed, it was the unanimous opinion
of the college faculty, of which | was
then a member, that the college might
fare better under another board.
This, l for one, still believe to be true
of the board as then constituted.
But that is now no argument why the
consolidation of the college and Depart
ment of Agriculture under good broad
minded Democratic board would not
greatly increase the usefulness of both.
The board should re appointed by the
Legislature and vacancies occurring in
interim should be filed RS the boaasl
The surplus in the Agricultural De
partment can be used for the benefit of
the college, as legitimately as for pur-
poses to which it has been devoted form
erIy
1t is just ms consistent to devote this
money direct to the use of the college
as to lend it, secured by negotiable
notes, with the tacit understanding that
it is never to be returned.
The State Agricultural Department
was organized to regulate and inspect
fertilizers sold in the State, and to los
ter agricultural development.
The college, though State institution.
has its origin, and draws it's principal
support from the United States Govern
ment. It's object is TO develop and dis
seminate industrial and technical
knowledge, chief of which is that Of ag-
riculturc.
Now, is it not more reasonable 80 al
low, or even compel the college to De--
form for the State all work formerly
done by the Department of Agricul-
ture, except policing of fertilizers, fos-
tering immigration, and doing work of
the Pure Food Commission that must
be done by some department. or else Il
new department will have to be created.
The last three works even can be done
just as well under the board having the
college in charge as under IL separate
board.
The placing of these two institutions
under one board instead of two, would
be the means of saving several hundred
dollars annually, in mileage, per diem,
etc.
This can be easily done with no fric-
ton, as has been demonstrated in Mis-
sissippi and other States, to the salts
faction of all concerned; the fertilizer
manufacturers not excepted.
The question naturally arises, shall the
college and Department of Agriculture
duplicate each others work, or shall
they work in harmony and each do its
legitimate work?
The college is not Il part of the De-
partment of Agriculture; nor is the Ag-
ricultural Department part of the col
lege; but each can very properly be made
a part of great State Department of
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, as has
already happily been suggested. This is
a critical moment with the college, and
it is to be hoped the friends of the
college and especially the old students
will not be slow in expressing their
opinions.
Much more can be said in favor of
combining and reorganizing, but hint
TO the wise is sufficient.
Respectfully,
Il. IRBY.
Former Professor of Agriculture in the
North Carolina College of Agriculture
ArfG