THE
BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
FOURTEENTH VOLUME.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
Purdue University Appropriation.---Debate in Continuation.
IN SENATE.
TUESDAY, February 4, 1873.[CONTINUED FROM PAGE 120, TOP OP SECOND COLUMN.]
The consideration of Mr. Taylor's bill, [S. 170,] making an appropriation for the completion of Purdue University, which was pending at the noon adjournment, was resumed; the question being on Mr. Bunyan's amendment to the amendment proposed by the committee, reducing the appropriation to fifty thousand dollars.
Mr. DITTEMORE spoke against the bill. He said: Until the farming class come and ask for it, I am not willing to vote to appropriate this large amount of money. What caused this institution to be called the "Purdue University?" Why was not it called the "Indiana Agricultural College?" Simply because we were led to believe that munificent grants would be given by the man whose name the institution was to bear. The inducements were, the State would not be called upon for a single dollar. One of the largest inducements held out for the location of the University in Tippecanoe county, and the giving of its present name, was the assurance that it should never become a charge upon the State. I have before me a resolution offered by the gentleman from Monroe, [Mr. Buskirk] in the House of Representatives at the time this College was located, to strike out Purdue University and insert Indiana Agricultural College in lieu. [It is on page 168 of the BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS, volume XI.] Mr. Buskirk said: "I have not had the opportunity of discussing the amendment which I proposed, and for that reason, if for no other, I should vote "No" on this motion. I would like to have tested the sincerity of these gentlemen who stand up here in favor of this location in Tippecanoe county, to see if they meant what they said when they told the people of the State if they got this location, this College should never cost the State a dollar."
Other counties were represented, and county boards were sending up propositions to secure the location, but all these were overshadowed by the liberal proposition of Mr. Purdue. We have made experiments of this kind in favor of educational institutions over at Terre Haute, but do not want them built up at the expense of the State for the purpose of advancing real estate in certain localities. While I am willing to build up such institutions, I am not willing to advance the price of property in the various counties of the State at the expense of the tax-payers. I would cheerfully vote for liberal appropriations to have the educational interests of the State concentrated. The institution at Terre Haute has been an experimental very dear one to the people of Indiana. I have been unable to learn where any practical results have grown out of that institution except in so far as it is a beautiful edifice. This institution in Tippecanoe county smacks a great deal page: 415[View Page 415] in similarity with the institution at Terre Haute inasmuch as it is for the purpose of enhancing property in that part of the State. We have not advanced any money to Purdue university hitherto, and I am opposed to it now.
Mr. BOONE said large amounts had been appropriated to develope the mineral resources of the State. It began with small sums and had been increased from time to time until large sums were demanded and confidently expected to be appropriated to Geological Surveys. The results had been gratifying to every one whether farmer, manufacturer or capitalist. It had developed in a practical way, large coal fields and other mineral wealth in the south and southwestern portions of the State. It invited the investment of capital and stimulated indirectly manufacturers. These matters were now on a permanent basis and under the influences of capital would never go back, but would continue to expand. It was not for an hour nor a day only, but for all time to come. The addition to the wealth of the State from these sources was immense and the opening and working of the mines and quarries furnished employment for labor of all grades, from mere brute force to the very perfection of science and art.
These appropriations were becoming local and individual rather than general over the State. The general limits of the coal fields of the State had been known for years and the business now was to show where and how individuals should operate with certainty.
So with other quarries of valuable stone which were being tested and specimens placed before the capitalist, the artisan and the builder.
There was no where that specimens of soils of Indiana could be found with analysis of their adaptibility to the production of the cereals or the grasses. This is still left to individual effort and individual taste.
The State University has its Scientific, Law and Medical departments. Much of the instruction given is applicable to any profession or business. But there are also specialties in professional life, and the tendency is to lead young men into these, often against their inclinations because they are taught here, and others are purging that course.
There is the learned Professor of the Law, who explains that abstruse science and by moot courts demonstrates the theory and the practice of that profession. The student is instructed and practiced in all the rules of our courts, pleading and practice so that he goes at once to business with professional skill that cannot fail of appreciation by the courts and tho bar.
In the Medical department every facility is offered to the medical student. The theory and the practice are taught by men learned in the science of the profession. Surgical operations of great skill are performed in their presence, and by their own hands, under the direction of scientific men. Commercial men, bankers, merchants, engineers &c., are all provided with schools, and apparatus to demonstrate the complicated practice of their several professions. This is all well enough, except that we hear it said that in practice these professions and businesses are over crowded. There are too many young men quitting the farm and going into these professions.
Why is this? Possibly because the State encourages it by appropriations and honors which lure them to the professions. The professions of the farmer and the mechanic ought to be learned. It is lauded by politicians before the elections, but is seldom heard of afterwards, except in derision or downright insult by the offer of a reward for fox-scalps or that their homes, their farms, and their stock are not to be protected.
The offering of small premiums for their products through the State Board of Agriculture is mere surface work and does not go to the science of the profession. What they want is how and the where to operate, and the scientific demonstration of what the soil and elements of a particular locality will most successfully produce. As in the other professions, provide a place where both the theory and the practice of the art are demonstrated to the young mind and the novice in the practical way. Will this University furnish this want? The United States has made a liberal donation for the endowment of the institution. The State has already located it at a point where the donations have been large and liberal. It is in a fine agricultural region - among the finest in the State; and from the magnificent donations would seem to be surrounded by its friends. Let the experiment be tried as in the other great educational enterprises. The committee have reported the smallest amount which in their judgement will secure to this institution the magnificent endowments offered it and put it upon a self-sustaining basis. Then let the judgement of the committee be carried out.It is urged that people are not interested in this University; that they are not here asking the appropriation. The men who are to be benefited by this institution of learning and who are looking with pride ufon its permanent establishment, are not lobbyists; they are not talkers and lecturers but the every day workers in the developement of the substantial wealth of the country and of the State. It is not true that there is no desire among farmers and mechanics for the establishment of the University, There page: 416[View Page 416] are hundreds of young men now in the State who are desirous to receive the instruction in theory and in practice of the arts.
The State is not favorably situated to reckon a per centage of the products of other States as her profits. Cheap freights are a long way in the future to her products. She should therefore not send abroad her gross material, but manufactured articles. Then let us educate the heads and the hands that are to produce these results within our own State. Agriculture is no longer a success without science and this institution, with the proper means, will furnish facilities for the education of farmer's sons. It is not all of farming to follow the plow, and the science cannot be completed in a day. What is wanted is to know the where and the how, and leave the result to the skill and the taste of the individual, as in other professions. The farming interests is of the utmost importance to the State and we cannot longer depend upon the accidents of crops. Teach the art of using our soil and climate so as to produce the best results thorough culture, home adornments, home comforts and prosperity will follow.
Mr. CARNAHAN. I think there was not a pledge made that Tippecanoe county never would ask the State for any appropriation. I am sure there was no such promise made. I held a seat in the other end of the Capitol at that time and I went for locating that institution at Bloomington, knowing that we had one there already, but thinking that by uniting the two, they would be more likely to make an institution of character. I remember distinctly that several counties put in their claims. Putnam and various other counties offered liberal donations providing the institution was located within their limits. I remember very well the proposition made by Tippecanoe county and I believe the promise on the part of that county has been fulfilled to the letter. If she had failed to do anything she had promised and if Mr. Purdue had failed to fulfill his promise, I would feel disposed to censure them, but I contend that both Tippecanoe county and Mr. Purdue have done all they agreed to. Now, Sir, I am decidedly opposed to this motion to cut down the appropriation proposed by the committee. I would prefer to increase it. I would be perfectly willing to vote one hundred thousand dollars to aid that institution in getting a start. A large donation has been made by Congress and by Mr. Purdue and by the county of Tippecanoe, and I cannot see how we, in the face of all this, can say that the State of Indiana shall appropriate nothing. The argument of the Senator from Owen, [Mr. Dittemore], is that farmer boys need nothing of that kind to aid them. I am satisfied that it is as equally essential that the farmers should be instructed how to manage the different soils as it is for the lawyer to be instructed how to advocate his case before a court. There have been large donations made to institutions of learning all over the State. At Bloomington we educate Lawyers, Doctors and Preachers, but they do not educate farmers there. This institution at LaFayette is the only one that will teach the farmer how to make the soil pay, yet we are so pernurious that we will not appropriate money to it. I am satisfied it is esential that a farmer should be instructed in these matters; and that the institution will do great good, I have no doubt. I remember when this matter was pending over in the House. When we discovered that we could not succeed in getting the location at Bloomington, Mr. Buskirk proposed to me that he should get up a resolution declaring that there should not be any money appropriated by the State to that institution and he told me afterwards that he could not find in the hotel one member that would support such a resolution. He then abandoned that idea and took up what we find in the BREVIER REPORTS as read by the Senator from Owen, [Mr. Dittemore.] That shows that the State was unwilling to bind herself that she would not give anything. I am inclined to think that Tippecanoe county is not bound for a cent beyond what she promised, and no Senator has attempted to show that Mr. Purdue or the county has not done what they agreed to. It is as much the duty of the State to educate her farmers as her lawyers and preachers, and it is as necessary that they should be educated. I would rather increase the appropriation to one hundred thousand dollars than reduce it to fifty thousand dollars. I hope the motion to reduce the appropriation will fail.
Mr. FULLER. I do not say that there was a promise made that the State would not be called upon for anything, but I do do say, that the time the bill was passed and the University located it was understood that the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars subscribed by Mr. Purdue and the fifty thousand dollars subscribed by Tippecanoe county would be sufficient. It was said and brought out in the discussion - when suggested in debate, that if the fifteen thousand dollars per year from the former and the ten thousand a year from the latter would not be sufficient, it was stated by members that Mr. Purdue had said if the amount was not sufficient he would pay in the money as fast as it was wanted. I can show that by the BREVIER REPORTS. It was brought up in that discussion, also, that this money was to be used for building purposes. When Mr. Buskirk put the question to the gentleman page: 417[View Page 417] from Tippecanoe county whether any of this money would be used for building purposes, he replied that it was understood that it would be used for buying real estate. With that understanding the College was located. I am satisfied with the location but I am not willing to accept the doctrine, that because we withold a condition to this College we are opposed to education. It is not true.
Mr. BROWN. It is a matter of some mortification that a measure like this should meet with opposition. A sense of gratitude as well as a sense of justice and a desire to advance the educational interest of the State should move all to make prompt appropriation in behalf of this institution. It was due to the generosity ofCongress and to the generosity of Mr. Purdue and Tippecanoe county who have donated liberally to the enterprise. It is well known to us that Congress donated land script to the State of Indiana, the proceeds arising from the sale of which to be considered an endowment fund to establish an Agricultural College. This endowment fund, large as it seemed to be in the first instance, has increased from two hundred and twelve to fourteen thousand dollars. This is the last ascertained amount of the fund, and to that we may add interest from January last. This fund cannot be diverted to any other use than that of an endowment fund. It cannot be used for the purpose of investing in realty, in buildings, in improving the site or any other purpose that is calculated to add to the property of the College. Congress made some limitation - that within a certain length of time the College must be put in working condition. The time has expired and the generosity of Congress has extended the time. If the people do justice this fund may be continued to the State and become a vast source of profit. Of course it was necessary to have buildings there and they are in process of construction, but without the means to complete them, they necessarily fall to the ground. All that is asked now is that the State come to the rescue and lend a helping hand in order that this great school of learning may be put into operation.
Mr. THOMPSON, (interposing.) What became of the fund given by the great Purdue?
Mr. TAYLOR. As far as the donation of Judge Purdue is concerned he has fully paid up all that was coming from him, and no more would be required of him under the law until 1874. He has paid all the installments that are due up to that time - some sixty thousand dollars. Twenty-four thousand dollars has been invested in land and the remainder in buildings and materials with which to build. His donation was fifteen thousand dollars annually for ten years, making a total of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Mr. BROWN. Thus it appears, Mr. President, everything promised by the General Government, by Tippecanoe county and Mr. Purdue has been complied with. Indiana will do herself credit and profit her citizens by taking hold and completing the work. The farmers have never been backward in voting the means to educate professional men, and now, for the first time put in a plea in behalf of their own class. The justice of this claim needs no argument. It speaks for itself. It seems to me that any professional man who would refuse to aid it would exhibit a species of ingratitude unknown to the Hoosier character. Not having an opportunity to take advantage of these institutions of learning, yet as an humble member of one of the most distinguished branches of a professional character known to the country I feel that I would be doing injustice to my profession and dishonor to my character did I not stand by the Sons of Toil who produce the means of subsistance that you and I feed on, and contribute to the existance of that institution which will make their business profitable.
Mr. STEELE called attention to the fact that before the meeting of the next General Assembly, the limit of time fixed by Congress in which the endowment fund may be availed of will have expired, consequently the question is presented now to the Legislature whether they will do anything or the grant thus lapsing all that has been done heretofore will be lost.I hope the Senate will vote the amount proposed in the bill. The funds have been placed partially under the control of the State Agricultural Society.
Mr. TAYLOR. The State Board of Agriculture is represented by three members on the board of trustees. It nominates three members and they are appointed by the Governor.
Mr. CHAPMAN. Has there been any report made so far?
Mr. TAYLOR. I understand it is embodied in the State Agricultural Report.
Mr. GOODING moved the previous question which was seconded by the Senate and the main question ordered.
The amendment of Mr. Bunyan reducing the appropriation to fifty thousand dollars was rejected - yeas 15, nays 27. Pending the roll-call -
Mr. ORR, in explanation of his vote, said: Gentlemen say that Tippecanoe county promised that no call would be made for money from the State and others say she did not. How can I ascertain who is right?
Mr. STEELE (and other Senators). Go to the record.
Mr. ORR, (continuing.) Our State is covered with Agricultural Colleges teach27 page: 418[View Page 418] ing us farmers how to farm. I am a farmer myself, I vote "Aye."
The result of the vote was then announced as above recorded.
The report of the majority of the committee was then concurred in - yeas 28, nays 14.
Pending the roll-call -
Mr. FULLER in explanation of his vote, said he had no confidence that this Agricultural College would be a success.
Mr. HALL in explanation of his vote, when his name was called, said he was obliged reluctantly to vote against the bill for we are frittering away our money on two or three institutions in different parts of the State when they should be nearer together.
Mr. O'BRIEN in explanation of his vote, when his name was called, said : I vote for this appropriation cheerfully, but I want it distinctly understood in doing so, I have not changed my notion. I think the State has been in error in legislation heretofore and agree, to some extent with the gentleman from Floyd, [Mr. Hall.] I hope to be able to vote for a measure remedying this evil to some extent, but I am willing to vote this appropriation in order to avail ourselves of the means within our reach.
Mr. SLATER, when his name was called, in explanation of his vote, said : This appears to me to be an experiment and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars given by Mr. Furdue and fifty thousand given by the county of Tippecanoe and two hundred and twenty-eight thousand by the general government is a sufficient amount of money to try as an experiment a thing that all foreign countries have decided to be a failure. I therefore vote "No."
Mr. THOMPSON in explanation of his vote, when his name was called said: In the present depleted condition of our treasury I was in hopes that we could have agreed upon a less sum for Purdue University. I remember great promises were made in the Senate Chamber, with regard to this University. I think the Board of Trustees have not done all they ought to have done. I think the building ought to be up by this time.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. BROWN moved that the order of business be suspended, and the bill read the second time.
This motion was agreed to and the bill was then read the second time.
Mr. SLATER moved to amend by inserting a section making an appropriation of ten thousand dollars to Franklin College, as an endowment fund.
Mr. BROWN moved to lay the amendment upon the table for the reason that each institution asking an appropriation should stand upon its own merits.
The yeas and nays being demanded this motion was agreed to - yeas 35, nays 7.
Mr. DITTEMORE moved to amend by striking out sixty thousand dollars and inserting fifty-five thousand dollars.
Mr. TAYLOR moved to lay the amendment on the table.
The yeas and nays being demanded the motion was agreed to - yeas 27, nays 14.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed.
