New-York tribune., 1903-03-09
NEEDS OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir. The president of Berea College. Kentucky.
", The Tribune of March 8. gives an interesting
r1Iopse of the college and industrial life of the
hardy mountain whites of that region In the
scroohouses poor are tney that there Is not
globe not a map, not a dictionary. often not
a blackboard. and vet the ambition OF many ot
these ncople TO get an education is striking Illus
tration of the persistence of the hardy pioneer
strain which settled these mountains
And there are like conditions at Washington
College at Limestone Tenn. and both of these
colleges should have aid. VIII not some Of our
niIIionaires who are continually giving to our
larger institutions in the East. do something for
these needy institutions in the Southwest?
THIS region deserves much. for 1t furnished no
small percentage of the population and not few
Of the men whp were chiefly instrumental in he"-
ing out the commonwealtns of the great Soulh-
west. Such names as Andrew Jackson Abrahaih
Lincoln sam Houston. Thomas II. Benton, Ad-
mIraI Farragut, ParsOn Hrownow are among
thos. which come easily 10 mind when we count
over the roll of country's honored and heroic
dead.
Washfnetna College was chartered In l19o- Cen
er,I Johu Sewer ami some of his CompatrintS were
,,.,,hars of the first board of trustees 1t has
ALWAYS been a fountain of patriotism as we'll as
of learning. The college has 10 endowment be
cause Of the utter inability of the people OF Its
mountain environment TO furnish it. Besides the
majority of the youth are unable TO meet the
exneusa of an ducation-many not even In part
Nevcrt hcless. as Il struggling institution IL hdS
aIvays been within the reach of g"ody nIInoer
and has sent forth many useful men in every
decade of its history Up to 1892 its work was
chiefly along classical lines. but necessarily lim-
tied The youth of the mountain districts, VINO
most needed training. not being reached. ana
if WAS felt that they needed different kind OF
training than could be had in the ordinary college
So in the year mentioned there was a change OF
nolicy Industrial methods were adopted with a
two-fold purpose in view: First. to give poor
students a chance to earn their way as Tar as
POSSIBLE; second to give them such training in
the industrial arts will enable them 10 be self
sustaining and of service to society.
The results have far exceeded expectations. The
attendance has never been large at present
MANY poss"ssed by a raVenous desire for an edu-
cation chearfully endure privation or undertake
any kind of work whereby this end may be at
tanned The college has a farm of $40 acres. This
is fsrmed by students under the direction OF a
romn.tent asriculturlSt They also work In the
printing office the shops and In and about the
college buildings. - ~ A..
Ths dormitoTies are full, and it Is necessary TO
turn applicants away never before. The trus-
tees and people OF the vicinity have done anc are
doing all within their power In behalf OF the IN
stitItion IL the attendance is to be Increased.
more room must be had. There is also urgent
need of funds aid needy students. ny tht!r
own EFFORTS they about hair their expenses;
SO that only a year, on an average, IL heeutu
for each Of this class. 1t is apparent that tnis