The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-05-30

dllu t1tH. CoI1tluutu W new vi
leans to transact some business
during the day.
When the announcement was
made by Governor Heard that he
desired the school established, the
energetic Ruston people got to-
gether, made up a subscription
and decided to send a delegation
to Baton Rouge to urge the claims
of the Lincoln town upon the Leg
islature. Prof. Robertson and
Judge Barksdale were selected to
come and they were surprised to
find in Mr.. Millsaps a warm sup
porter of Ruston, who was willing
to appear here in her behalf.
The Ruston people say that un-
questiOnably Ruston is entitled to
the school, as between Ruston and
Baton Rouge, and they seem to
take the view that no other cities
will be seriously considered, for
the reason that it is now generally
agreed among men interested in
education III the state, that for the
present no additional new schools
should be established, but that for
some time to come all our avail
able resources should be devoted
to the development and improve
ment of the State University, the
NatchitOches Normal and the Rus
ton and Lafayette Industrial Insti-
tutions. They feel that it would
be weakness rather than a
strength to establish the textile
school as a separate institution,
and they contend that every CON
sideratiOn of economy and efficien-
cy requires that the school should
be located as a new department
either Of the State University or
the RustOn Industrial College.
Whichever institution is selected,
all else that will be necessary will
be to provide for a modest building
and its equipment and the appoint
ment Of a professor and whatever
additional professional help might
be necessary to operate the de-
partmant under the general super
vision of the faculty and admins
traitors of the institution to which
the department might be attached
The Ruston people, continuing
their argument, say, that manifest
ly the textile school should be To-
Gated in the cotton belt where the
students might gather not only
theoretical knowledge but practi-
cal knowledge at first hand. The
selection of Rnston, they say, would
respond admirably to this condi-
tion, whereas Baton Rouge, being
so far South, and really in the
sugar belt of the State, would not
offer this important natural advan-
tage.
The Ruston school was thrown
open to students in 1895, and it
has steadily grown in popularity
and Importance ever since, several
hundred students from thirty odd
parishes being in attendance. Its
friends look hopefully to it's flu
ture, and they believe that if a
textile branch is added to its popu-
larity and influence will be largely
extended. Mr.. Millsaps, who has
travelled extensively in the East
and familiarized himself with the
cotton milling industry and who
has extended relations: with manu-.
facturers, believes that with the
establishment of the school al
Ruston he will be able to secure
it's equipment with machinery at
nominal cost.
The fight between Baton Rouge
and Ruston promises to be highly
exciting and interesting. Boil
have already taken off their coats
and gone actively to work, ant
, Judge Barksdale says that Rustol
will camp at Red Stick until th'
battle is won OF lost.-States.