Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-07

/
gree elect one or another Of the sci
ences. This is all the difference there
] is. So if you abolish the B. A. degree
you only remove two studies. Latin
and Greek. Now that is the whole SUN
and substance of the proposition to re-
| move the Il. A. degree. / found that
| there are 81 professors in all engaged
| in the liberal arts department. "a or
whom are engaged in other depart
| ments, some in two, some in three 9TH
| er departments. That means that In
taking account of the expense Of the
| courses rs made by the gentleman
from Island Falls (Mr. Milliken) he has
given the expense of taking the course
at that institution from one depart
ment only and ignored three Of the 9TH
er elements that enter into expenses
three at least.
Now, our duties here are not limit
ed to what we do for the University of
Maine. The horizon Of this matter Is
not limited to the State of Maine. ]
hold in my hand kilograms and letters
received from all parts of this country
on this very matter showing that the
interest is not merely local here but
that many people have taken the pains
all over the country 10 telegraph their
sylnrathies or their regrets that any
such action as this should be contem-
plated. l have telegram from f. Ben
jamin Andrews, formerly president of
Brown University and now president
of the University Of Nebraska, in
which lie says: Hope University of
Maine won't be forced 10 take back
water or side step I have many such
kilograms from prominent educators all
over The country. ] submit that the
obligations of the state of Maine to the
University is not fulfilled when it COM
plies VITA the minimum requirements
of the Morrill, Act, that it is not full
filled when the university has given al
education i'll agriculture and the me-
chanic arts. that We have a larger out
look than that.
Mr.. Spe aker, merely wish to say this
in closing my work on this subject that
feel the question was one in which
the matter of expense was properly no
legitimate question for argument, that
the matter of whether the other COL
legeS were benefited was no legitimate
matter for argument. but so far as the
University of Maine was concerned
that was the situation we had in view,
that was the thing we We're discussing,
and whether or not the duty of the
State of Maine 10 the university con-
cerned anything else, that was not
within our view; and so far as other
coSlleges are concerned I believe they
have just exactly the same chances. the
same opportunities and broader field
than they had before. For the time
has not yet come where there is to be
a check on educational work here. and
if those other colleges are not able to
keep up it is up to them to take their
own steps forward and not try to hold
some other institution back. (Arnlause)
Mr.. MARTIN of Baugor-"Nr. Speaker:
1t IS not my desire to waste any Of the
valuable time of this House in the dis
cussion of this question. and yet should
go from this hall with the consciousness
of duty violated should not have upon
the records of this House now and for all
time my protest against the injustice |
which some few members would have the
State perpetuate upon her university.
eve should not forget to keep fairly |
in mind that the question which we are
about to face is not whether the State |
shall grant to the University of Maine
the right to give the courses in liberal
arts and confer the degree of b. A. upon |
graduates entitled to it, that right she |
already las; that right Is hers. 1t be- |
came hers 10 years ago by virtue of Il |
compact entered into between the State |
and the university by which It was
agreed. at least implied on the part of |
the State, that she should grant to the |
university the right to give these courses |
for 1nn-aas nd
of the university that she would accept |
the grant and assume these responsible |
tiles that the acceptance of it involved
This grant by the State 10 the univer- |
sity was unconditional and unlimited. 1t |
was not for a certain term of years. 1t |
was understood to b., for all time and !
upon that understanding it was accepted
Relying upon this grant, the university |
at once entered upon the performance |
and discharge of the important duties |
and obligations that the acceptance Ct |
the grant imposed. 1t established the |
courses. 1t procured the necessary APP
paratus. 1t sought for and secured the |
services Of eminent professors and COM |
petent instructors. 1t fully equipped it |
self for the new work and when it was |
completed, when it was ready, still rely
ing upon the grant and the perpetual |
continuance of it, the university swung |
upen its doors and sent forth the procla- |
nation that it was prepared 20 give
courses in liberal arts and confer the |
proper degree.
This message received welcome in the |
home of many poor boy on everr hill |
and in every vale in this State and in |
fact, all over the land, and voting men
fun OF ambition, enthusiasm and hope |
relying upon the permanency of this par |
tcular department, came from all over |
the state and all over the country ana |
paid their money and selected courses |