University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1909-02-16
PRAISE FOR
UNIVERSITY

souri, and the work it is doing is
expressed in the Kansas City Jour-
nal, in the following editorial:
For the next few weeks the friends
of education in Missouri will be anx-
iOusly watching the action of the leg
islature in its treatment of the univer-
sity. 1t is to be regretted that there
is not embodied in the constitution of
the state provision that certain
per cent of the general revenue should
always be applied to the support of
this great educational institution. 1t
is to be hoped that some time in the
near future some such arrangement
can be made. But until this can be
brought about, it is necessary every
two years to 90 to the legislature for
a biennial appropriation. This can
only come from the general revenue
and from the collateral inheritance tax.
The last is tax on estates where
there are no lineal heirs, and yields
a handsome fund, but it is necessary
that it should be formally appropriated
much in the same way as that part
of the support which comes out of the
general revenue of the state.
Two years ago the appropriation was
nearly one million dollars. The de-
mand on the legislature will be at
least 80 per cent greater this year.
The attendance is increasing rapidly
and now numbers more than three
thousand. Under the present excellent
management the attendance will be
more than four thousand by 1910.
New buildings and enlargements of
old ones are greatly needed The
teaching force must be largely in
creased. New departments have to be
established. The latest and most ap-
proved apparatus must be had. The
contest is sharp between Missouri and
the other states of the West in the
fierce struggle for educational su-
premacy. In Missouri's educational
edifice the university is simply the
crowning work. 1t belongs to the
whole people just as much as does the
common school system. They are both
parts of q whole.
The time was when universities were
intended for the favored few. Of the
three thousand at the university at the
present time large majority are the
sons and daughters of sturdy, plain,
honest yeOmary. As they 60 out into
the varied lines of activity their influ-
ence for the welfare of society and the
honor of the state cannot be Overesti-
mated. The few children of the
wealthy may seek the advantages of
higher education at Eastern colleges
or across the Atlantic. but equal ad-
ought to be afforded for the
youth who remain at home.
On these thousands the greatness of
the state depends.
The appropriations ought to be lib
eral. Missouri should be surpassed BY
no other state in the high standard
and splendid work of her university.
This is one place entirely free from
political influence, as We are advised.
1t is managed by board of nine cura-
tors, of whom not more than five can
be OF the same political party, and as
result teachers are employed solely
On merit without any regard to their
political affiliations. Kansas City has
'ne member of the board of curators,
J. V. c. karnes. and st. Louis has one,
Ex-Governor d. X. Francis. and CO.
umbia usually has one. and the Others
ire scattered over the state. If the
,oard asks for one and half million
iOlars for the next two years, the
'eople of the state may safely feel it
S needed and it ought to be given.