Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-25
What a COLLEGE, Would Do.

| Editor Times Republicans: We have
a city Of say 1900 inhabitants, beau
tifully situated, with no collapsed boom
in its past history, and in think, the
best condition commercially considered
since | became a resident of the city.
1t is growing beautifully and steadily
in every way as viewed from bust
ness standpoint but are there not other
considerations in determining what Is for
the best interests of our city?
A few miles to the south Of US is
a small city, named after one of Iowa's
earliest pioneers; 1t has lately far ex-
ceeded any city in Iowa in line of
endeavor that crowned with success.
as 1t has been will give 1t fame not
confined by state lines. Grinnell, a
place of about 5000 inhabitants, has
1t Is said, contributed to the great en-
dowment fund of Iowa college over
100000. Think for a moment what
this means, not only to it's grand In
stitution of learning. but in it's reflex
influence upon the people in Its city
and the donors Of this great sum Of
money, which is given to place upon
a permanent basis. the finances OF
Iowa college, with its widening
influences for good.
To the point then: While we are
holding out hospitable hands to BUSH
ness enterprises, work shops, and fac
tories of all kinds and reckoning the
per cent such and such investments
will return, would II not be well to
reflect upon the great and incalculable
benefit that an institution Of higher
learning would be In our community,
not only from a commercial standpoint
but chiefly in the impetus it would give
to the cause of education in our midst,
and as fountain from which all these
influences for self-improvement and
culture would spring forth?
The influence that body Of spec
tally trained instructors in the higher
walks Of learning. that the afumnae and
undergraduates OF such institution
have, is far reaching and always for
the highest good. These influences af
feet the habits Of the community, mold
its prevailing thought and elevate Its
citizenship.
! do not mean in any manner, to
reflect upon our system OF schools, in
Guiding the high school, which, taken
as whole / believe to be one Of the
best in the state. What ] do mean Is
that Marshalltown should have a co..
educational college, a ladies' seminary.
or some kind of higher educational In
stitution, SO that our children and the
children of the future may And at their
doors the opportunity for college edu-
cation without the necessity of leaving
their homes and departing to the edu-
cational centers Of their choice, which
they are now doing in increasing num-
bers
have lately read an article on San
Francisco, in which it was styled the
wickedest city on earth, and the begin-
ming Of its monstrous growth Of crime.
was traced directly back to the year Of
40, in which an influx OF population.
on account of the gold discoveries,
brought to its doors an unlicensed and
unrestrained liberty of action, which
found deep root, and has resulted in
conditions as they are found today.
| reckon the self-saerifice and joy in
giving, as shown by the citizens Of
Grinnell, has been the outgrowth Of
those principles planted by its early
settlers, many of whom came from New
England poor in purse. but rich In high
ideals, determined that no matter
where the next crust should be found.
their children should have with Gods
blessing, one Of the best gifts on earth,
a liberal education.
Can we not do something to turn
our children's attention away for a
time at least, from the breeding Of the
almighty dollar, to those higher and
better things which moth and rust do
not corrupt, nor thieves break thru and
steal?"
I believe such an institution as has
been referred to. to be one of the chief
of Marshalltown's needs, and am
hopeful that it may be achieved in the
future. ]. L. CARNEY.