Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-04
= - ~, = y e&i.'t B7tetfhs
GREAT GIFTS TO EDUCATION.


Mr.. Rockefeller's contribution of
$32, ,O0O, 900 in one sum to the work OF
education is the subject Of comment in
the press Of all countries. There Is
general inquiry as to the conditions.
1t is specified that the gift shall be ad-
ministered by the general education
board, which has Offices in New York
city. Its charter is of great scope.
Mr. Rockefeller's gifts to the board be-
gan some time ago. The first Install
ment was 100000, to be used fcr
the study and promotion of education
in the southern states. Later, the
board receives $10,000,O00 from the
same source to further high educa-
ton" The gift of $32.000,00O just
announced car. be applied by the board
to any OF its corporate purposes, and
these permit it to aid any Institution
from a kindergarten to postgraduate
school, to assist scientific investiga-
ton, or anything in educational work
except the teaching of theology, which
is excluded from the boards charter.
Mr.. Rockefeller and his son reserve
the right to direct the disposal of two
thirds of the sum, but the board Is
given more latitude than in any pre-
vious gift.
BY April / the securities, the nature
of which has not been stated, will be
turned over to the board, and 1t can
proceed to arrange its plans accord
ingly. The first gift of s1,00O,O00 las
been applied to agricultural education
| in the south and with marked sue
Guess in all the farming schools estab
lished. No doubt this line of teaching
will be much extended in the SAME
| section, where climate and soil are in
viting, but methods and improvement!
are backward. Southern Legislatures
are taking a vigorous interest in agri
cultural colleges and stations. Th'
south has an excellent opportunity t.
| present its claims to the board in con
nection with the latest immense gift
Though that section has Jagged il
some respects 1t has immense natura
advantages and resources. One of 1t
best possessions is the finest remaining
hardwood forests, and its minerals ar
of great range and value. No doub
the southwest will come in for 1t
share If 1t makes the proper effort
But no part Of the country need stan'
back under the circumstances.
Within the next ten years the boar,
thinks it will raise s250,O00,OO0 TO
educational purposes in the Unite
States. Experience shows that pr
vate gift to school, made conditiona
on raising larger amount, almost in
variably leads to success. A year ag
the board awarded $25,000 to a co
lege at Spartanburg, S. c., with tn
proviso that the institution shoul
raise 100000 more. The college at
thorities report that they have oil
tanned $l11,000. Howard college sin
ilarly raised $4,000 and also largel
increased the number of its pupils. !
considerable gift excites local interes
and induces every friends of colleg
to rally to its support. A Fascinating
branch of this subject is forecast O
the endowment and standing of Amer
lean schools and colleges fifty year
hence. In the first six weeks of 1870
about s40,000,00O has been bestowe
by individuals on the cause of educs
tlon in this country. In the last dec
ade the amount thus given approache
$5OO,OOO,O00. But 1t is vain to go int
conjectures with such movemm
and such figures to deal with.-Glob
Democrat.