w
THE BATTALION.
any man at this table wants to try a
task, just let him try being - Governor
of Texas for two years. The Agricul
tural and Mechanical College is a pil
lar of its own. It was designed for a
special purpose; it had its origin in
the Federal government and this bene
faction has, to a very large extent,
been enhanced by appropriations from
the State treasury. The object of this
institution is clearly defined in the or
ganic act. It is an agricultural and me
chanical college. And I want to say
to you that the more closely and ex
clusively this institution is administer
ed for the purposes for which it was
ordained, the more useful and popular
it will be all over the State.
“Of course the appropriations for
this College have not at times been as
large as they should have been and
troubles have occurred in the adminis
tration, such as have occurred in the
administration of all institutions.
“I want to say to you, and your
President will bear witness to it, that
since I have been Governor of this
State, I have been the friend of the
Texas Agricultural and Mechanical
College. I have gladly approved every
appropriation made for it, and I intend
recommending larger appropriations
to the next Legislature. I intend so
long as I may be Governor, to do ev
erything in my power to make this in
stitution worthy of the State, that is
an empire in domain and possesses re
sources such as few commonwealths,
not only in America, but in Europe,
enjoy.
“I want this institution to keep pace
with the development of our material
interests and the increase of our popu
lation, and so far as I am concerned,
and I believe that I can speak truth
fully, so far as the Legislature is con
cerned, there will be no pains spared
to develop this institution to a capac
ity to take care of and educate at least
1000 students. It is the duty of the
State to provide for this institution. I
I have always believed that it is the
duty of the State to provide for the ed
ucation of our people, and 1 am more
than anxious that my administration
shall be marked by the rapid and suc
cessful development of the Agricultur
al and Mechanical College of Texas.
But let us go back to the original prop
osition that this is an agricultural and
mechanical college and nothing else.
“There ought to be grown on the
grounds of this institution nearly all
kinds of cotton, com, wheat, oats, bar
ley, rice, sugar, etc., so that this insti
tution could tell the people of the
State what is the best variety to plant,
what kind would stand the drouth best
and what would be the most produc
tive in the different portions of this
State.
“This is a 'practical, utilitarian age.
In this day and generation, amidst the
struggle of this century, a man start
ing out in life needs to bring to his aid
every force, material and intellectual,
in order to make a success.
“The people want this to be the place
to educate for agricultural and me
chanical purposes and not for the pro
fessions. I do not want it to be said
that we have to go to outside of Texas
for engineers and those necessary to
operate our railroads, factories, etc. In
this State are young men industrious
and intelligent enough to fit them
selves for the higher duties, if they
only have the opportunity.”
In concluding. Gov. Sayers pledged
his support to the advancement of the
institution and admonished the Board
of Directors to see that the College
was kept strictly in line with the pur
poses for which it was ordained and
none but the most competent instruc
tors, are employed. “If this is done,”