Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-23
The District and the Morrill, Acts


last it left unfinished a number of local
legislative projects. but none Of more i'm
portance to the District than the meas
to the Morrill, acts. This amendment was
passed by unanimous vote in the Senate
on the Sd of March, too late to be called
up in the House before the close of the
session. 1t has been already reintroduced,
and a serious effort is to be made to Sc
cure It's passage at the session about to
open. Yesterday committee was organ
ICED at a meeting held at the District
this legislation.
The Gallinger amendment extends to
the District specifically a right which it
should have enjoyed for many years. the
right Of participation In the educational
grants made in behalf of the states and
territories for the advancement of educa-
ton in agriculture and mechanic arts.
The Morrill, act of 1862 was designed Ito
promote the liberal and practical educa-
ton of the industrial classes in the sew
eral pursuits and professions of life"
Under this and subsequent acts Of Con-
gress lands were granted and incomes
were guaranteed to one inst luton In
each state and territory. an accident
the District of Columbia was omitted
from the original Morrill, act. 1t did not
occur to the trainers of that legislation
that the people Of the District would re-
quire the forms of education provided for
by 1t, and furthermore, there was no one
In the District to raise the question, for
no beginning had then been made in
education in the mechanic arts of a col
legiate grade.
But for the change Of government in
the District of Columbia in 1874, where
by the District lost it's status as quasi
territory, the District might automatically
have received the benefit of federal edu-
cational bounty upon the organization Of
a college of mechanic arts and upon a
report of the fact to the Secretary Of the
Interior. About two years ago this oc-
CURED in the case of Porto Rico, where
upon it was added. together with the ter
ritory Of Hawaii, to the list Of the states
and territories then entitled to receive the
benefit Of the acts. But the District Dc
ing now neither state nor territory when
benefits are conferred and being viewed
as such only when burdens are imposed.
ii is necessary specifically to amend the
acts which have been the means of edu-
cational endowments throughout the
country with this single exception, to
give the federal district the benefit of a
much needed assistance in the practical
education of the people along practical
lines.
In view of the action taken by the
Senate last March it is easy to believe
that as q result of q we'll organised er-
fort on the part of the local citizens
this tardy measure of justice to the Dis
trict can at last be gained from Congress.
For forty-seven years the seat Of govern
ment has been denied assistance that has
been freely granted to other communities.
Washington Is now an educational center
Of national Importance. 1t possesses an
institution which fully meets the re-
auirements of the Morrill, acts, and which.
aided by the congressional grant, will
unQuestionably do work OF great value
not only to the immediate community. but
to all parts Of the country through the
preparation here of workers and of teach
ers carrying to wider fields the fruits of
their training.