The Republican journal., 1906-08-23
Crisis in Maine University.
The Annual Appropriation From the State
Ends With This Year-Some Opposition
To Its Renewal Except on Unweclome


than ever before, because of the char
acter of the work this institution is
doing the efforts of some of some of
its critics to prevent its full develop
ment, and the place it fills in Names
industrial progress. A brief account
of it's inception and growth may not be
uninteresting to Tribune Farmer read
erS.
This institution, like many other
State Universities, is the growth of an
act of Congress approved by President
Lincoln on July 2, 1862. AS an act
fraught with good for all the people,
this was second only to the emancipa-
ton proclamation, which came soon
after, and it is a peculiar coincidence
that a similar act of Congress had
previously been vetoed by President
Buchanan. Lincoln has won the grand
and undying title of ''The Emancipa-
tor" Going along with this should
stand that of the Great Educator"
Quoting from this act of Congress,
we find that the purpose of these lnsti-
buttons was to afford opportunities for
the literal and practical education OF
the industrial classes
The Legislature of Maine accepted
the grant in 1868, and in 1865 elected
the first board Of trustees for the State
College Of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts.
At that tine there were two colleges
already il existence in the State, and
it was with much difficulty that the
college WAS established as a separate
institution. But through the efforts of
the State Board of Agriculture, led by
the heroic Ir. Ezekiel Holmes, its first
secretary -A!S WAS finally accomplished,
the institution being located at Orono,
on land generously donated by private
individuals and towns. The first class
WAS admitted III 1865, and while the
course oil the college las not at all
times been .StreWn with roses, it has
continually prospeIed.
Its prosperity and usefulness may
largely be measured by comparing the
numbers Of students and faculty at the
beginning VITA the present.
The fins tenn opened with two teach
ers and twelve students, while at the
close OF tie present college year it had
seyenty-uI- teachers and Gil students.
These students come from every cOun-
ty in The state. a sure evidence that
the INSTITUTION is serving the whole
State
The c04ee- records show 1871 differ
emit occupations OF the parents. The
graduates now living are engaged in
1870 different occupations. There are
many Others who have attended the
university, but who did not graduate,
who are 0ccUpylng positions of useful
ness i'll all sections OF the country.
BY act 0t Tie Legislature of 1897 the
name was changed to the [ University of
Maine, and since that time its growth,
particularly along agricultural lines,
has been phenomenal.
As at present organized, the university
embraces tie College of Arts and
Sciences. the College of Agriculture,
the College Of Technology, the College
of Pharmacy the Agricultural Expert
meut Station and the College of Law.
Each one Of these colleges is fully
equipped. and III charge of ali able corps
of professors and instructors.
The total number receiving lnSt1uc-
ton in tile College of Agriculture at
the university this year was seventy
five Enrolled m the reading circle and
correspondence courses, 100.
The State established in connection
with tlle college an agricultural expert
ment station. This was in existence
about two y-aIs before the Hatch act,
dPFl'l'l-" ---- 74'',''V d } tdi loi dSii-
cuitural experimental work, was pass
ed by Congress.
" Dtdy summarize briefly what the
College o. Agriculture ana. particularly
the eXpei,n- .,t station, has done for
the State ana the country somewhat as
follows; l IL agNcuitUIai instruction
has produced many specialists IL aSu-
cultural t-acA'ng and investigation,
who are |o.ulAs distinguished positions
IN other >.o.~s and ~ tile Department
OF AEE.eU.JJle az " Washington. Inc
-agrlcVlutal faculty las always done
much "oIE ID the State farmers IN
stltutes- some definite work to which
linanc3a value can be attached has
been cole Iii c5.r me OF feftlllZers, Iced
ing stutte. Uou.tIy, dai1ying and spray
ing experiments for blight IN potatoes
and apples.
In ISL HE Legislature required the
experiment station to make an lnspec-
ton OF Tie FEEDING stuffs tor sale IN
Name. II a new feeding stun Is offer
ed to any dealer IN Name the first
thing he asks IS, wv hat does the station
say about Il: mat this inspection
annually saves to the users OF feed in
Maine more than the entire revenue OF
the station IS certainly moderate
estimate.
The value OF the Bordeaux mixture
for potatoes, demonstrated by the
Maine E,YDETlneOt Station hpUan tO