f>3 



The proposed legislative infanticide was averted, and the child 

 remained alive with its parents. The legislature became satisfied 

 that it could not be accomplished honorably, nor legally. 



Notwithstanding the result of the movement above described, 

 again in 1879, and 1880, an attempt encouraged by Gov. Talbot and 

 recommended by Gov. Long was made to annex the Agricultural 

 College to another college. The resolve w ' requested Gov. Talbot 

 and council to examine the affairs of the college, and report some plan 

 for its permanent continuance with its relations to the state definitely 

 fixed, or some plan for its discontinuance ; but with the provision in 

 any event, that its finances shall from this time be finally separated 

 from the treasury of 'the Commonwealth." This meant life, ;t perma- 

 nent continuance," with an arranged or defined stipend, or abandon- 

 ment, being cut off with a shilling. Gov. Talbot's council were 

 puzzled. There could be no contract or arrangement made with the 

 college, because the college was the state's own minor child, and 

 belonged to the state. I arn informed by a surviving member of the 

 council that no report was ever made, and certainly no message, nor 

 report upon the subject appears in the Blue Book. Gov. Long in 

 his first inaugural message in 1880, speaks of what is recommended 

 in the report of the retiring governor and council as follows : " The 

 course which is recommended in the report of the retiring governor 

 and council is its union with Amherst College, if that can be effected, 

 with provisions, of course, for fulfilling the trusts heretofore involved 

 in the acceptance of funds from the town of Amhe.rst and from the 

 national government. Such a union, without destroying the integ- 

 rity of this institution, would certainly separate it from the state 

 treasury. It would save it from the annual attack that impairs its 

 steadiness and accomplishment. It would graft a living branch upon 

 a strong and growing college, which, adopting this new and inde- 

 pendent department of practical instruction, would, I am sure, even 

 though with the same income, increase its efficiency, and enable it 

 still, in the interest of agriculture and not subordinate to any other, 

 to better achieve the worthy purposes of its foundation. I trust you 

 will adopt such a course and the one recommended in the above- 

 named report is there suggested with that view as will make this 

 institution most valuable in promoting the great interest for which it 

 stands." Gov. Long wanted to make the college a " living branch" 

 upon another college ; but with what provisions he would fulfil the 

 trust involved with the town of Amherst, and the national govern- 



