The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-09


the needs of this great institution which
means en- much to the future development
Of our resources The last General AS
sembIv nut the care of the college in
charge Of the Board of Agriculture, the
purpose being to increase the interest IN
AGRICULTURAL training. The wisdom of
their action is manifest in the increased
number of boys who are attending the
college for the purpose OF studying agri-
culture. In 1901 seventeen young men
took the agricultural course; in 1902
ninetv-two took it, Our State must for
MANY years remain largely agricultural.
Eighty-two per cent. Of our population
live in the country and the College Of
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts ought to
furnish instructions to as lerge a num-
Der as possible of young men intending
to pursue the business of farming. The
college is fairly we'll equipped for indus
trial training, but is in real need Of an
agricultural building. Whether the rev.
enues at your disposal will justify an APP
preparation for the erection of such build
ing. is a matter which must be deter
mined by you. The building is necessary
and would be Of great value.
On the twenty ninth day of Novem
Der, 1901, Watauga Hall was destroyed by
fire. 1t became necessary to reconstruct
this building, or greatly cripple If not
to close the college. About sixty stu
dents had to go home Immediately after
the fire for lack of room. Upon applca-
ton Of the Board of Trustees to the Gov
ernor and Council Of State for permission
to borrow money they were authorized
to do so in order to rebuild Watauga
Hall on the old foundations and to build
a separate building for the mess hall,
kitchen, and Assembly Hall. The cost of
these buildings and their furnishings are
set out in detail in the reports trans
mitted with this message. It is necessary
to make provision for meeting the debts
thus contracted. The income of the col
lege for running expenses is but little if
any larger than it was six years ago
when the number Of students were scarce
ly fourth of the present number. In
consequence Of the increased number of
students the running expenses for teach
ers, tools, machinery, apparatus, fuel and
service have greatly increased. On this
account there is a deficit for running
expenses and there will be a deficit each
year for running expenses unless the ap
of the college is limited. The enrolment
of the college this year is about five hun
dred and would be much larger next
year if there was room for more students.
The time has been in the State when
our institutions Of learning had to seek
pupils. We have come to that good day
when all OF our State institutions are
crowded to their utmost and the problem
be made for the accommodation of the
young men who are seeking education at
the University and at the College OF Ag
riculture and Mechanic Arts and for the
young women who desire to enter the
State Normal and Industrial College. It
is a sad thing for the State when any
boys and girls are denied admission to the
State institutions because there is no
room for them. transmit herewith a
memorial from the trustees of the Col
lege of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
asking for the erection and equipment of
a building for the promotion of the
science of agriculture.
CULLOWHEE HIGH SCHOOL
This school located in Jackson county
on Cullowhee Creek. a tributary of Tuck
work at extremely small cost. During
the past year had the pleasure of visit
ing this excellent school and inspecting
the work there being done. l know of
no investment which the State has made
i'm 1the way of education which has
brought larger results in proportion to
the amount expended. a full report of
Its condition and work will appear from
H. 4
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ME-
CHANIC ARTS FOR THE COLOR
ED RACE AT GREENSBORO.
l commend to your careful considera-
ton the strong and clear report of the
Board of Directors of this institution
This board has been confronted with
many difficulties. When they took charge
of the institution its plans were found
to include too large q literary course and
too small agricultural and industrial
courses. With a view to training the
colored population for the work which
they must needs do the literary depart
ment has been subordinated to the indus
trial and agricultural. I believe under
the wise management of the present
Board OF Directors this institution will
soon become of great service to the
State. The needs Of the institution will
fully appear in the report named.
THE OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM.
This institution managed under the
Joint control of the State and the Grand
Lodge of North Carolina A. f. and A.
NJ. is maintaining it's reputation for ex-
cellent work. 1t is doing a great ser
vice to the orphans of the State. | COM
mend it and its wants to your favorable
consideration.
THE OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM FOR
THE COLORED.
The reports from this institution show
increasing usefulness. It's needs are set
out in the accompanying documents and
deserve consideration at your hands.
DEAF DUMB AND BLIND INSTITU-
TION.
This institution for the past two years
has done most excellent work. The at
tendance has increased from two hundred
and sixty-six on December /, 1900, to
three hundred and thirty-one on Decem-
Der 1, 1902 The attendance at present
is the best ever registered in the school
hut c+i in of gphO0l