Mexico weekly ledger., 1910-11-03
THE STATEUNIVERSITY
An Unusually Representative Body
of Citizens Give Strong Reasons
Why the Amendment Providing
for Its Support Shouldb be Adopted

Recognizing the Importance Of our state University 10 our
Public School System and the importance OF placing It's support
upau a more permanent and dependable basis the undersigned re-
gardlesS Of differing political opinions Join In this appeal 70 the
voters to adopt the proposed Amendment to the Constitution pro-
yiding for the support Of the University, the Oolegeo Agriculture
and the School o: Mines.
The University Is practically a free school, lts a poor boys
school. A large majority OF the students are from families OF mod
crate means and about 40 per cent are dependent upon tnelr own
work 20 pay their expenses
The attendance OF students has increased within the past ten
a years 157 per cent more than % times the rate Of increase IN pOpn-
s. Aton In the State. The present number OF students rs sppsoAr
g maely 5000 and there is no room for more. The buildings are
= oyercrowded and the students are now being turned away. we
q Submit that Missouri should make adequate provision Tor tue eau
Y cation Of its youth, and Missouri boys and Girls should not nave 70
q go outside Of this State TO secure the host education that they may
&desra
The University is doing great service In all its departments.
- Several departments, however, are deserving OF special mention.
The Teachers College has trained more than 1000 teachers during
y the past six years who are now doing efficient service as teachers
LIN the Public School OF the State. The Agricultural College bya
= system OF scientific experimentation has Increased the yield OF
g wheat, c0rp, grasses. vegetables and fruits 10 many sections OF the
Estate. The value Of this department 10 its experimental work
%cannot be estimated In dollars and cents In the discoveryo Of
Aserum for the prevention of hog cholera, the College has saved the
Farmers of the S;ats a bal; million dollars during the last year
8 which is more than the Agricultural College has cost since 1t was
4 established and more than the University has cost the people OF
1.-THE State during any one year
The graduates of the School of Mines have effectively assisted
in the development of the mineral resources Of the State and
Aathough Missouri produces mere lead and zinc than all the rest OF
1.-The States combined and more than any country In the world, 1t
- still has vast stores OF mineral wealth to be developed under the
= direction OF the graduates n this department Inc commercial
value OF the University as an investment cannot be questioned.
- We believe that the present proposed Amendment should be
r. adopted because 1t would provide a certain income for all depart
meuts Of the University because 1t would take the University out
OF The competition with the normal schools and the eeemosynsry
institutions, all OF which have to be provided for out of the general
revenue of the State because 1t will mean the abandonment of the
collateral inheritance tax as the means of support for the Uni
versty.
The Universities OF most OF the States have such a permanent
basis OF support. as for example Nebraska levies a separate tax OF
10 cents on the hundred dollars for the support OF their State Uni
yersitY, more than three times the amount provided for the
Amendment No. IL and, Colorado levies 6 cents on the hundred
IL The per capita cost OF the State University OF Nebraska is SO
cents of Kansas is 81 cents; OF Iowa is 81 cents; of Illinois is IS
cents, while it is only 20 cents in Missouri.
The University of Missouri cannot hope to keep the best and
most efficient teachers and officers unless III S placed upon such a
permanent basis as will enable 1t IT, compete with the Institutions
OF %neghboring Commonwealths. The income Of the University
under the proposed Amendment could not be greater than iti is at
present from The Biennial Legislature appropriation, but 1T would
be fixed and certain, and definite plans based upon a definite knowl-
edge OF the resources could be made for the conduct and improve
ment Of the Institution.
We call attention to the fact that both the political parties
have planks In their platforms urging the adoption OF this provision
for permanent support OF the University, and we believe that this
Amendment deserves the support of all citizens. We appeal there.
fore, to every voter to vote Yes and scratch No on Amendment
Number IL the last Amendment upon the ballot,
Respectfully submitted.
Herbert S Hadley VIM S Cowherd
A M Dockery Cyrus P Walbrfdge
VIM a Warner VIM ] Stone,
Walter S Dickey r B Oliver
Frank W McArister John H Boutwell,
e L McJimsey EN Sterhens.