— Those Western State Universities which are situated in the 

 smaller towns labor under great disadvantages. They are not in posi- 

 tion to attract the attention of the greater body of educated men in 

 the State, while they are peculiarly exposed to the influences of local 

 politicians and the like. There seems to be a feeling upon the part of 

 the townspeople that in some way the State institution is their exclu- 

 sive property and that their wishes should be final in all matter, rela- 

 ting to its management. In case any of the professors fail to fit in 

 with the local political or religious tendencies, steps are taken by the 

 whole community to make his position disagreeable, while not infre- 

 quently underhanded measures result in the resignation of the unde- 

 sirable persons. These remarks are suggested by the recent history 

 of the State University of Missouri. Some three or tour years ago 

 the Legislature of that State, in the course of some resolutions upon 

 the condition and objects of the University, unite pointedly told the 

 citizens of Columbia that the University was not their peculiar prop 

 erty. Apparently the hint was wasted, for the present special Legal* 

 ture has called for bids from the various cities of the State looking 

 towards a new location for the institution. All friends of education 

 can but hope that the new situation will prove more favorable than 

 the old, for so far in its history— whether the result of Columbian 

 influence or not the University has produced no results at all c«fr 

 mensurate with the outlay upon it. It is hardly necessary to say tha 

 the University of Missouri is not alone in its unfortunate situation. 



