36 
Mr. Broun. It is proposed to include experiment stations. 
Mr. Patterson. I think that whatever nomenclature be adopted, it 
ought to be in conformity with the organic act of 18G2, and with the 
acts of the several States accepting the trust implied in that act. The 
act of 18G2 knows nothing of the suggestion made by Mr. Broun. It 
is not designated the Morrill Act, but an act for the endowment of 
agricultural and mechanical colleges in the several States of the Union, 
and whatever legislation has been had by Congress recognizes the fact 
that this supplementary legislation is designed to supplement and com- 
plete the organization of the colleges under the original act. The 
same objection applies to the change moved by Mr. Harris. There 
are State colleges which have neither part nor lot in this endow- 
ment. Now, whatever change be adopted, it ought to be in conformity 
with Federal and State legislation. These ends will be accomplished 
by the amendment introduced by Mr. Cavitt last year, and all the 
requirements of those who desire a change in the designation of this 
Association will be met by the insertion in the present name of the 
words "and mechanical." I do not believe in any cumbrous nomen- 
clature; the shorter the name the better, so that it expresses adequately 
what we want to express by the name of the Association. It was 
argued at New Orleans that the mechanical side of these colleges ought 
to obtain recognition in this Association. There is a general disposi- 
tion to recognize that. This disposition is shown on the r>art of those 
connected with mechanical training in these colleges to bring their 
part of the institutions up to the level which has been obtained by the 
other sections represented here. I think we can not evade the responsi- 
bility attaching to the development of the mechanical side of these 
institutions of learning. It is important that we should educate the 
agriculturists; it was truly said that they are the backbone of Ameri- 
can industry, but there are mechanical industries that will be second in 
importance only to the agricultural interests of the country. It is 
important that we educate our mechanics, our laboring classes, and do 
as much for them as for the agriculturists. You are well aware that 
there is a constant tendency of the agricultural population to move from 
the rural districts to the towns. When you bring that fact into connec- 
tion with another important fact, namely, that practically all the wealth 
of the country is in the cities, you bring together the two explosive ele- 
ments that endanger this country. I argue that education for the 
artisan is as important as for the agriculturist, and Congress in its far- 
sightedness foresaw in 1SG2 that that would be the case. From these 
points of view it seems to me we can not neglect this duty to further 
the development of the mechanical side as largely and liberally as the 
other side. The other side is well established; the mechanical side is 
unfortunately not so. In a great many institutions established under 
the land-grant act, mechanical training is still in its infancy. What I 
want this Association to encourage by its official act is to give it the 
! 
