The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-08-05
LlTTLEToNAND THE UNIVERSITY

tackled the University of Tonnes
see he did a thing that we. were
satisfied wonld not be endorsed,by
the better element Of his party.
However, we did not expect to see
the only Republican daily newspa-
per in the State attack him openly,
and charge him with misrepresent-
ing the facts in the case. Yester-
days issue of the Knoxville Journ-
al and Tribune contained the fol-
lowing editorial article:
In his Otherwise forceful and in most
respects admirable speech made at Rut-
ledge Monday, Mr.. Littleton was most
UNFORTUNATE in his statements concerning
the University of Tennessee. We have
no idea where I've got his information, up
on which statements made were based,
but What he said was wide Of the facts.
He assumes that the National govern
ment isdonating $50 O00to the education
OF farmers in the State OF Tennessee, and
| assumes that the money is being spent
for the purpose of teaching the classics.
| The amount is,over- stated by more than
$50 900, and not adollar Of it used or can
be for other purposes than are specified
| by law.
The treasury of the University IS Mr..
James Maynard, as careful business
man as thepe IS III the State. He. keeps
an account and makes reports to the ag-
ricultaral department at Washington, in
which are set forth all the expenditures
in the minutest detail item by item, and
this must be approved by the Secretary
of Agriculture. MY. Edward 7. Sanford
is the chairman of the finance Committee,
and before the budget, containing the
semi-annual appropriation is acted upon
I by the board OF trustees, It is carehly
gone over by Mr.. Sanford. and the COM
mHtee,, the greatest care being exercised
to keep down expenses and make the APP
preparations in their proper sphere.
| Mr.. Littleton also stated that the legis-
| lature Of the State has regularly and
often appropriated out. OF our own State
treasury thousands OF dollars FOR the use
and benefit OF this great agricultural
school," This is far from fact the leg
islature up to the last session, when it
appropriated 3d. COO for the purchase of
additional lands for the experiment staa
ton, had not appropriated a single cent
to the institution in fifty years; in fact it
never made an appropriation.
He also speaks OF a farm having been
bought for,the. university by the Federal
government, which farm has been sold
by the trustees for 100000. The Fed
eral government never purchased foot
of land for the institution. What land it
had it purchased before receiving the ag-
ricultural college fund, one OF the condi-
| tons upon which it was received being
that it should have farm. 1t has solda
part of the land it owned, q portion Of a
detached tract, and used the money in
the erection Of science hall. Where
Mr.. Littleton got his information we are.
not prepared to say, but Ills statements
concerning the University OF Tennessee
are as erroneous as they can be.
The truth is, only Q small part OF the
expenses. Of the university is chargeable
to the teaching Of the classics. AS already
stated, an account giving the smallest de-
tails Of expenditures must be given and
approved by the Secretary,of Agriculture
at Washington before any money can be
had from that source. Il the money is
Incorporated or nisappfied, if it is
used in any way contrary to law, which
it is not, then the National authorities
are as much to blame for it as the trustees
Of the university.
Mr.. Littleton speaks sReeringly OF the
experimental station in connection with
the university. LII reply to this we will
say it has been visited by Secretary Will
son, and by subordinates in his depart
ment, and by distinguished agrieHlturists
from over the land, and it has.the repu-
tation of being one OF the most carefully
and efficiently managed institutions of its
kind south ofsthe Chic River and is the
equal in many respects fanny in the Whole
country.
We regret that Mr.. Littleton did not
seek information where accurate inform
alton coald be had before making state
ments thatare so directly in conflict with
tie facta, IF he sees TT to pursue the
matter, tits hoped that he will first OBJ
tain trustworthy information.