Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-17
Poor BOYS, College.

sets, interested IN auNdIiSihS 'iie N""''S
of education in the commonwealth, are
engaged in launching a scheme Tor
nr;no;rp high grade instruction to
young men and women OF the state
along lines which are somewhat mover
though entirely commendable. Under
the bill which is pending nelore thc
LEGISLATURE of Massachusetts and which
,,,;1 doubtless he passed, the right is
given to establish five centers Oh ecu
cation; Boston, Salem, Lynn, Lawrence
and Lowell where instruction may be
given students which will lead, at the
end of four years, to the degree OF
bachelor of arts The new feature con-
sists of taking the instructors to the
students instead of compelling the STU
dents to go to the instructors, as has
heretofore been the custom. When the
nlans materialize and the college is in
full operation there are to be 80 centers
at which this state college will in
struct.
The matter was preached to the last
legislature and was referred to the
state board of education, which board
reported unanimously in favor OF the
proposition and forwarded its report 10
the present. legislature. The leglsla-
tive committee to which it was referred
for hearing unanimously recon-
mendtd it's passage and the Massachu-
sets general court will probably con-
cur in it's action Oh the matter. Inc
propcsition has the appfoNal OF II
presidents of colleges in massachusetts
ard Il majority Of the surerlhtehdeiitS
of public schools and other educators
The SPONSORS for the new colleges are:
Edmund d Goldman Barbour, George
n. Martin. treasurer of the state board
of education, William Orr, Prof. Paul
IT Hanus. head of the educational de-
nartmcnt of Harvard, Prof. Thomas A.
Iaggar Jr of Technology, Superin-
tendent Stratton d. Brooks of the Bos-
ton rublic schools, and Courtenay
Cracker, who according to the bill now
nending will become the state college
corporation,
The students at the new college
would be from the class of young peo-
nle wno would not CT could not other
wise attend a higher educational insti-
tuition. 1t is expected that many OF
these. after pursuing the three years
course of study in the state college,
will find some means to complete the
course in one of the regularly estab-
lished colleges or universities. 10 en-
courage this feature an endowment
fund is to be established to pay the
tuition for the last year.
The cost TO the student for the three
years in the state college would be Sl33,
but the fourth year would cost nothing.
The total cost of tuition to the stu
dent Who takes a full four year course
would he 1853 including entrance fee
and tuition. At the present time the
outlook is very promising; in fact the
only obstacle which the promoters eX-
pect to encounter is the raising of the
$500. 900 required before the college can
be opened. Of this sum 100000 has al
ready been promised by a single indi-
vidual, Mr.. f. d. Barbour. Several
years ago, when the matter was first
brought up, the entire financial re-
ouirement was promised and there is
hope that this interest may be revived.
1t is estimated that the money require
ment. when all centers are started,
will be $3,0O0,O00 and it is hoped to
raise this at the rate of million
year after the first year.
If such an institution develops along
the lines set forth by the promoters,
the state of Massachusetts will have a
democratic college system second to
none in the world A college education
and a degree of bachelor of arts will be
within the reach of every young man
who desires it. The matter of expense
has received careful consideration and
he purposes of keeping the cost of text
books. tuition and other expenses at
the lowest possible point. Educators
Of other states will watch the move
ment with great interest.