Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-03-09
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY


A controversy over the question as to
whether the Agricultural college at Lo-
gan and the University Of Utah should
be united IN one institution or contln-
ued as separate establishments, dupll-
eating to considerable extent the
studies conducted In each, has agitat-
Cd the Legislature at this session, as 1t
has at previous sessions. The rivalry
between the two educational establish
ments IS well known, and each side Of
the dispute presents some apparently
good reasons for the position It as
sumes.
Governor John G. Cutler drew atten-
tlon Of the Legislature to this question
in communication addressed TO both
houses, and suggested that a Joint COM
mltiee be appointed to canvass the sit
uatlon thoroughly and formulate rec
concentrations concerning IT, This was
acted upon favorahly,and the reports Of
the two divisions OF the committee have
been made and their text viii be found
IN another part Of this paper.
The subject has occasioned spirited
debate, and we do not propose at pres
ent to take up the cudgels on the merits
of the case as It affects either OF the
institutions mentioned but we do de-
sire TO express the opinion that, as pro-
posed by ono half OF the Joint com
mittee the matter OF making II posi-
bic for the union OF the two institutions
may be safely submitted to a vote Of
the people OF this state at the general
election In 1906, Under the Constitution
OF the state Of Utah the University and
the Agricultural College. as separate
establishments with their existing To-
cations. are confirmed and perpetuated
No change therefore IN these respects
can be made except by constitutional
amendment This requires, In the first
place, vote Of two-thirds OF all the
members elected to the Legislature,
and IN the second place the submission
OF the amendment to the voters Of the
State, o majority Of whom can deter
mine the question OF It's adoption, In
the event OF lta Acceptance by the peo-
pie, It would then have to be legsated
upon and provisions be made, regulat-
Ing the conduct Of the consolidated In
stitutlon
The grant from the Federal govern
ment for the maintenance OF the Agrl-
cultural College would not be lnterfered
with 10 i became a department Of the
State University and the experiment
station could stil be maintained AT
Logan, while the duplication OF
studies and Of expenses connected
Herewith would be avoided, ana the
friction between the two institutions
would be abated There are many
reasons why this proposed union
should at some time be effected. It
seems to an unbiased investigator
that the time has arrived when the
dispute should be settled The adop-
ton OF the amendment by the Legsla-
ture would not mean It's acceptance by
the people Ample time would be az
forded for a cloar explanation OF the
matter from all sides before the elec-
tion, so that the vote which would de-
termine the adoption or rejection Of the
amendment could be based on clear
understanding Of an the points IN the
controversy, which could be set forth
from every atundvNtnt
II appears TO Us that this is the prop
err solution OF the problem that has en-
gagged the attention Of the Legislature
almost ever since statehood has been
acquired Local interests and feelings
have naturally entered into the con-
troversy ana would probably be active
I'm the determination OF the constitu-
tlonal question. They should receive
consideration according to their mer-
IT'S But after AN, the interest Of the
people Of the whole state should be
paramount, and the financial MS well
as the educational aspects OF the case
should be thoroughly viewed, and
Therefore the report Of the committee
recommending the constitutional
amendment commends Itself TO the
public mind
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