GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
On motion by Mr. BELL the Senate resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole [Mr. Bell in the Chair] and resumed the consideration of the general appropriation bill [H. R. 302] the question being on the amendment proposed by the Committee on Finance to the item of $12,000 for Purdue University, submitted yesterday afternoon.
Mr. JOHNSON deprecated the action of the faculty, but spoke in favor of extending to that Institution the fostering care of the State. The $12,000 appropriation proposed in the bill is inadequate ; it makes no provision for the running expenses, nor for the expenses of the chemical department. He moved to amend the Finance Committee's amendment by increasing the appropriation from $12,000 to $20,000 and changing the proviso so as to require the faculty to rescind the rule.
Mr. CHAIRMAN-A great deal has been said on the floor of this Senate about a certain rule adopted in Purdue University and excluding the so-called Greek fraternities from that Institution. That such a rule was adopted and enforced no- body denies. The matter was carried before the Courts and even went to the Supreme Court for final adjudication, and after the decision of the Supreme Court it yet remains, go to say, in status quo, neither party being entirely satisfied with the decision. The result of this unfortunate quarrel is a great deal of bad blood and irritation, which certainly reacts upon the Institution itself. The Board of Trustees of Purdue, it is claimed, adopted the prescriptive rule against the Greek fraternities because it was afraid that the members of these fraternities would exert an injurious influence upon the spirit of an Institution which, to be true to the intentions of its organization, must forever remain an Academy for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts. The Trustees supposed, it is claimed, that classical students, such as usually compose the fraternities, would look down with a sort of contempt on the students who were employed in the mechanical workshops and on the farm connected with the Institution, and m order to avoid the presumed danger of this contact, they excluded the fraternities from the Institution. Now, Mr Chairman, I am willing to believe that the Board of Trustees and the faculty were sincere and honest in their suppositions. But I must say at the same time that, in my opinion, they made a great, fatal mistake, and to a decree injured the Institution. I can not but believe that their fears and apprehensions concerning these fraternities are without solid foundation, and are based rather on imagination and illusion than on reality and substance. I will say right here that I want the management of this Institution to be broad and liberal. Purdue University is supported by National and State appropriations, and as such its portals should be thrown open wide to all applicants and to all new comers, no matter whether they are "Greeks" or barbarians, without any discriminations whatever as to religious, political or social connections. As soon as the faculty of any public institution, supported by the money of all the taxpayers of the State, makes such a discrimination, it will place itself in antagonism with one or more classes of citizens, and alienate their sympathies and good will. On that account I think the Board of Trustees in enacting the rule committed a grave error, and Purdue University has suffered by it. And, furthermore, Mr. Chairman, I do not see that these Greek fraternities do so much injury to their members. All over the State, in the highest offices and positions, we find men who have been or are still members of these fraternities. On the floor of this Senate they are largely represented, and if I am not mistaken a "Greek" occupies the presiding officer's chair with distinction and honor. Now this speaks well for these fraternities. I am not afraid of them! Let them come to Purdue and let them show there by their examplary conduct that the fears of these Trustees are groundless and unreasonable! Let them by a strict observance of the discipline of the University refute the charges preferred against them that they are unruly and would be detrimental to good order and peace! Let no rule or pledge stand in their way. Let this rule be rescinded, Mr. President, but let it b6 done in a decent and dignified manner. We represent here the sovereignty of a great State, and our acts should partake of the dignity which our exalted position confers upon us. If we deem it our duty, in the interest of Purdue University, to demand that the objectionable rule be rescinded, let us make that demand, but in doing so let us take care that we neither insult the men upon whom we enjoin the will of the State nor injure the Institution whose interests we are here to protect. I have not the least doubt that the Board of Trustees and the faculty of Purdue will bow to the sovereignty of the State as represented on this floor, and that they will rescind the rule if admonished to do so by this Senate. And although a Senator from Tippecanoe, which prizes Purdue University as one of her richest and most precious jewels, I Will say that a majority of my people will welcome the change in the management with pleasure and satisfaction.
But now, Mr Chairman, let me also raise my voice in behalf of the noble Institution, which applies to this Senate for protection in Its growth and for support in the development of the ends for which it was created and organized. Purdue University is not classical Institution of learning, it is not a University proper. But with all respect and deference to those great classical Universities, which have done so much for mankind, and from which our entire civilization has sprung, I yet may justly claim that loan agricultural State like Indiana and to the citizens of this State, an Institution like Purdue is of much greater benefit and practical value than any University possibly can be. There we have an Institution founded for the cultivation of those special branches of education which are needed most right here in our State, in the States surrounding us, in the West. It is an Institution for the teaching of scientific and practical agriculture. It is located among us to give the sons of farmers, the sons of the people a valuable and practical education, which they can not otherwise acquire and without which most of the discoveries and conquests of modern science would be lost to them. In Purdue the young man who wishes to engage in agricultural pursuits in after life passes not only through a regular course of theoretical instruction in all those branches which are connected with and have a direct bearing on agriculture and horticulture, chemistry, botany, zoology, meteorology, entomology-but he has also an opportunity on the University farm to observe and study tho practical application of the lessons and instructions he has received in the school room.
And again, the young student who devotes himself to the mechanical or Industrial arts, passes not only through a regular course of theoretical instruction in chemistry, drawing, engineering, mathematics, dynamics and natural philosophy but from the school room he passes into the laboratory and work shops and is initiated there at once into the practical application of the principles and lessons inculcated in the school room. Now, Mr. President, it is for this Institution, so invaluable to the industrial and farming interests of our State, that I ask adequate recognition and support at the hands of this Assembly. I want this Senate to make an appropriation for Purdue University which will prove sufficient to carry out the great project for which it was organized-to maintain in our midst an Institution for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts." The Institution is there; it page: 216[View Page 216] is completely organized: it has a wide action of usefulness and influence, extending its sphere from year to year. It is located in one of the finest and wealthiest Counties of the State, in close proximity to one of the most beautiful and populous cities of the State, which has but lately added a valuable Public Library to its educational advantages; it is easy of access; it has beautiful buildings, a rich farm and all it needs in a liberal provision, both for its running expenditures and for such necessary improvements as will enhance its sphere of usefulness. The appropriation in the House bill, and retained in the amendment of the Finance Committee, is entirely inadequate to meet there demands. For the last four years, the running expenditures of Purdue University have averaged between $30,000 and $34,000, and it is thought impossible by the Board of Trustees that these expenditures can be reduced without crippling the Institution as a whole or crippling if not destroying its industrial departments. Three of these important departments-Experimental Agriculture and Horticulture, Practical Mechanics and Civil and Mechanical Engineering-have been organized during the last four years, and the proposed appropriation makes no provision at all for the running expenses of these important Departments, nor for the Department of Chemistry, including the State Chemist's work, which is connected with considerable expense and necessitates the employment of an Assistant Chemist. The $12,000 recommended by the Senate Committee are, as I sated before entirely insufficient, and should be increased to at least $20,000, both to meet the running expenses of those special Departments, which form, perhaps, the most valuable feature of the University, and also to add such apparatus, instruments, tools and improvements as are considered indispensable.
I appeal to this Senate to vote that appropriation! It is necessary or I won Id not ask for it! Let it not be said that ill-advised considerations of economy caused us to cripple our Educational Institutions! This great State of which we have l so much cause to be proud, want is system of education to be equal or superior to the best in the land, and no man, no Senator, will find favor with his constituents who will weigh dollars and cents with too rigorous care where the most sacred educational interests of the State are involved. Not as a Senator from Tippecanoe County, not as a Senator protecting the local interests of his own immediate constituency, but as a member of the Senate of Indiana and in behalf of this noble State, in behalf of the industrial and agricultural interests of this State, Mr. President, I now move the following amendment to the amendment of the Finance Committee and hope that it will be adopted:
Strike out [in line 138 of the printed bill] the word "twelve" and insert in lieu of it "twenty," and strike out all after the word "provide" and insert In lieu thereof the words; "That before any part of the appropriation hereby made be paid, the rule adopted by the Purdue University affecting secret societies, and the Greek fraternities in particular shall be rescinded."
Mr. GRAHAM offered a substitute appropriating $20,000 for Purdue University, and spoke in favor of his proposition to increase the sum appropriated for Purdue University from $12,000 to $20,000, and in the course of his remarks said a great many are I led to believe the State has, financially speaking, a greater interest in Purdue University than the facts in the case will warrant. He had taken the pains to ascertain some facts on that subject, and finds that taking out of the account the amount donated by Mr. Purdue, Tippecanoe County, the city of Lafayette and the General Government, according to the financial valuation nut upon the Institution, its buildings, grounds, etc., the State of Indiana has invested in it the sum of $82,000. Now as 882 000 is to $650,000, so is the interest this General Assembly has in that Institution, and in that proportion and no greater has it the right to interfere with the local management of that Institution. He was not here to make a fight for the Greek fraternities or that University ; but let us not take as a fact a rumor started by some person who probably has evil designs upon that Institution. The Trustees say that interference at this time with the fraternity question will seriously embarrass the Institution. The President is possibly a member of a Greek fraternity, and if that be true, he knows both sides of the question, and with the Trustees knows better what is for the good of the classes of that University on that question than does this General Assembly.
Mr. HENRY favored the proviso offered by the Senator from Tippecanoe [Mr. Johnson]. Not because not in favor of the proviso proposed by the Finance Committee, but this one seems to be more satisfactory to the friends of the Institution. This is one of the great and growing Institutions of the State, and it is our duty to foster it in the broad and liberal way that tis character would indicate. He was not in favor of choking off appropriations for it, but on the contrary favored building it up.
Mr. SPANN favored the proposed rider, provided it does not destroy the power of the Trustees and faculty to control the students in cases of personal misbehavior. Because the faculty have enacted a foolish rule which has brought disgrace upon the Institution, and is not manly enough to back down, this rider is the oil to be poured upon the troubled waters
Mr VAN VORHIS also thought the rule referred to a very foolish one, and by this time the faculty must see they have made a mistake. He did not favor the rider proposed by the Committee, and did not think we can afford to add to the jury already done that Institution. He favored voting a sufficient sum to run the Institution, if it ought to have more than named in the bill; then the amendment increasing it to $20,000 ought to be adopted.
Mr. HILLIGASS said the Senator from Hamilton [Mr. Graham] in the statement of donations to Purdue coming from other sources than the State, omitted to say that the State of Indiana has contributed in the past $266,000 for the support of that Institution. At one time it contained 284; students, but to day, in the face of an arbitrary rule adopted by the faculty, there are only 150 students From the showing in the past it may be predicted that the time is not far distant when Purdue University will have to be abolished altogether unless their tyrannical rules be abrogated. It the faculty have the right to go thus tar, they may go farther and prescribe rules against Church organizations. He spoke in favor of the amendment offered by the Senator from Tippecanoe [Mr. Johnson.]
Mr. BUNDY opposed the proviso. If it is a proper regulation to be placed upon the statute books it ought to apply to all the Colleges in the State; but he favored the $20,000 appropriation. With the magnificent donation made by the grand old man whose name it bears, and with the donation made by the General Government fend from Tippecanoe County, and the aid it gets from the State, it ought to be the pride and glory of the State.
Mr. BROWN referred to the history of the establishment of Purdue University and the pledge by those then most interested in its location, that in the State would accept the offered gratuities and put this College upon its feet and employ the great power of the State to protect it, the Legislature would never be asked for a dollar to sup- port it. He hardly thought the people making that promise could keep it, and so staged at the time. However he has, and always shall, stand by and support any just and fair appropriation notwithstanding that promise. The rule adopted page: 217[View Page 217] by the faculty he did not believe is right. It Is anti-American in principle. He favored the proviso as the only means by which the Legislative order can be made effective against the faculty order; although it does look a little like starving a fellow into obedience. He hoped this amendment would prevail, and if it were not adopted was almost persuaded to state he would not favor the appropriation of one dollar to the maintenance of the Institution.
Mr. DAVIDSON felt a deep interest in the success of the Institution from the fact that the farm Ins interest is the grandest of all the interests in this great country-all other interests live by and are supported by he plow. Therefore if any Institution needs protection and sup- port from the State it is an Institution that will educate and instruct the rising generation how to plow and how to analyze the soils and thus make them more productive. He had farmed long enough to know that there is a great difference in the productions of soils, and a farmer requires a knowledge of what land needs or how land is to be treated in order to be more productive, and that knowledge can be obtained so well in no other way than by analyzing the soils, and a study of them so as to ascertain what they need in the way of fertilizing. He did not like the idea of putting a rider on this bill, but he wanted the Institution protected in such a way that the people of the State may derive the greatest benefit from its success in the interest of agriculture.
Mr. BELL. [Mr. Spann in the Chair] was opposed to granting a single dollar of money to Purdue University, unless something in the nature of the provisions proposed by the Senator from Tippecanoe [Mr. Johnson] is coupled with the donation when it is made. The rule adopted by the faculty is illiberal, unjust, unreasonable, and violates all principles which should control our actions, and unless some such proviso is adopted he would not vote aid to this Institution.
Mr. MARVIN was in favor of voting $20,000 straight to Purdue University for the reason that it is the only farmers' College in the State of Indiana. Two years ago he favored $20,000, and it was voted without any restriction. What do you want to trammel Purdue for? It is wrong. He hoped the appropriation of $20,00 would be voted to Purdue University without a why or a wherefore.
The substitute [Mr. Graham's] was rejected upon a division-affirmative, 14; negative not announced.
The last proposition of Mr. Johnson's amendment, that before any part of the appropriation be paid, any rule adopted by the faculty affecting secret societies and Greek fraternities in particular shall be rescinded, was agreed to.
The first part of the amendment increasing the appropriation from $12,000 to $20,000, being next in order-
Mr. BROWN made an ineffectual motion to make the sum $15,000.
Mr. MAGEE moved to make the appropriation $13,000.
Mr. JOHNSON insisted the University needs from $20,000 to $25,000 to meet the current running expenses and necessary improvements. The Chemical Department alone requires $1,200, to say nothing of the other departments standing in need of improvements.
Mr. KEISER opposed the motion unless it be the intention to cripple the University and eventually wipe it out. This is a people's College. There is not an Institution in the State whose [?]ings up will show so grand a result as this one. Others turn out lawyers, doctors and teachers, but this is the one poor man's College.
Mr. MAGEE, judging from the last exhibit, was sure $[?]3,000 was an ample sum to carry on that Institution. It cost nearly $15,000 to raise $2,000 worth of truck and vegetables, and nearly $4,000 each to educate a young man to become a farmer, and after being so educated he never becomes one. No Senator would vote a larger sum than be if needed.
Mr. CAMPBELL presumed this Institution is under able management, and should be perpetuated. Then give it what is asked for by the Senator from Tippecanoe [Mr. Johnson].
The amendment [Mr. Magee's] was rejected, upon a division-affirmative, 13; negative, not announced. The amendment [Mr. Johnson's] for $20,000 was agreed to.
The Committee on Finance amendment to increase the appropriation for the Normal School from $5,000 to $7,000 was agreed to.
On motion by Mr. VAN VORHIS the Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again on Monday at 2 o'clock.
The report was concurred in by the Senate.
Mr. McINTOSH filed a protest against the action of the Senate in voting to adjourn over from to-day until 2 o'clock o. m. Monday, signed by himself and Messrs. Bell, Hilligass, McCullough, Richardson, Hutchison, Null, Hoover, Johnston, Ernest, May, Davidson and Johnson.
Objection being made to the reading-
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR said it would lie on the table, and would be taken up and read on Monday.
The Senate adjourned.
