Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-06-25

the university total eight hundred and
elghty-nine dollars. Thus our en-
dowment fund is growing gradually year
by year. We should have in addition to
State support, a productive supporting
endowment of at least two million dol
lars All state universities are seeking
private gifts to supplement state appro-
priatons and we are justified in following
precedent.
The chief problem OF the present ad-
ministration thus far has been to study
our institutional origin, 70 defend our
inherited rights as state institution
and to establish our status beyond ques-
ton so that We shall be free to grow
and serve the State as we can not do
while facing uncertainty. The State
| Universities Of America are the chief
| conservators of true democracy The
late President Buckham was not given
to hasty conclusions and he believed
and declared that the University of
| Vermont was the ward of tho State. We
should lose all the splendid results Of
! his patriotic life work for Vermont II
we did not make it our first duty to
| urge general anu Hflal acceptance OF
his conclusions. 1t would be unstatos-
manlke to neglect matter SO vital
to our state in order to solicit private
benefactions for buildings and endow-
ments. After our relations have been
clearly established we may press our
campaigns for university support with
the assurance of the success that can
come only as the consequence of the
confidence that permanency merits.
Friends Of the University of Vermont
and state Agricultural College have been
somewhat disturbed by the report of the
Carnegie Foundation for the advance
ment of teaching to the Vermont educa-
tional commission made last December.
While there are some features of the
report presented by the survey experts
with which we may properly take issue,
there can be no question but that taken
all In all It will ultimately prove of
great advantage to the cause of elemen-
tary, secondary and higher education In
| Vermont
| The investigators representing the
foundation have reached some conclu-
sions that seem to be unwarranted by
the facts. Many of their recommenda-
for honest motives should be cordially
given TO those in charge of this study.
Undoubtedly the investigation will result
In improved educational conditions
throughout the state.
It is particularly gratifying to know
that the Investigators have given such
high commentator to our College If
Arts and Science and also % our Col
lege OF Engineering The College of Ag-
rfculture has never been in as good
condition as it is to-day to meet the
ever increasing demands made upon it.
The revision Of its curriculum now In
progress should lead to yet more accept
able service, once the status OF the col
lego is definitely established as a re-
suit of the work of the Vermont educa-
tional commission.
The University of Vermont College OF
Medicine Is certainly greatly needed by
the State. It's standards are high and
some of the adverse opinions advanced
by the Investigators concerning this col
lege we are bound to believe are due to
misleading reports, inadequate informa-
ton and hasty observation.
The Vermont educational commission
has not yet presented its report. The
members of this commission are judcially
minded men and as patriotic citizens
We believe they will recognize the need
of a State university to provide the
young men and young women of Vermont
with opportunities that would be abso-
lutely denied them If they We're COM
PEELED to seek educational advantages
from the bounty of adjoining States.
! The University OF Vermont stands as a
constant challenge to the poor boy and
girl TO prepare for the larger life and
to equip themselves for efficient citizen
ship. The city of Burlington with Its
Libraries and other institutions and with
the opportunities which can be guaran-
teed only by a city of this size, with a
university more than a century old found
ed and maintained by the State. naturcl-
ly, affords educational opportunities to
young Vermonters that could not be Of
fered anywhere else within the State
1t would be impossible for the institutions
outside Vermont without knowledge OF
our resources and needs to give oul
promising youth these advantages.
The State university as part of the
public school system should offer free
tuition to every student in Vermont II
the vicious system of scholarships car
be abolished in exchange for this free
instruction the "one university for the
State founded by the fathers will
continue in added measure with every
year, to give to Vermont the high type
of manhood and womanhood that Will
arouse feelings Of justihabe pride In the
breasts of all loyal citizens of this splen-
did commonwealth.