29 
f the working Runners 01 mechanics of the oountryshoold have s full coll< 
ctltli ;it i*»t» . 
The indirool influence of il icoe Lnttitntiona i> :i - boeu most Important and beneficial. 
They bare had Large effect in modifying and Lmproviug methods in higher educa- 
tion. The] have « txalted the study oi nature and hare given stimulus and honor to 
idy i>t" useful applications of science. If the time ever was irhen the scientist 
whose work was in the direction of seeking to make discovered truth directly useful 
to iiKinkiiMl felt tliat In- was on a lower plain- than was his fellow engaged 111 the 
study of ••pun thai time has gone forever, and man in this Association, in 
t hi- room, have helped banish it. 
While tn tion has principally concerned itself with the agricultural side 
ot' tin- colleges. I am heartily ijlad a section has been established devoted to the 
mechanic arts tide. Not grudgingly, hut most gladly, we whose work has to do 
chiefly or wholly with the agricultural side recognise the remarkable development 
ami - [he departments of mechanic arts in many of the land-grant OOllegOfl 
and universities, We maj not forget if we would, and we ought not if we could, 
that by the very terms of the law providing Tor the establishment of these institu- 
te well SS by any fair estimate of what will he beet for the national welfare, 
mechanic art> ale placed alongside and on a Level with agriculture. Local condil ions 
and present emergencies modify the plans of institutions: some wisely give more 
attention to the one. others to the other side, hut neither has exclusive right to the 
\ed to aid in the education, not of any one branch of the workers of 
the nation, hut of •• the industrial clasSM 
Aml may I. whose work has been so exclusively along severely practical lines, 
express theearneet hop.- that never shall members of this Association give either 
• t ridicule to the pies that the colleges it represents shall do what they may 
in giving that education which tends to develop what we call culture. Alongside 
the word "practical* as descriptive of the education to he given by these institu- 
te law places the word "liberal." In even the most extended college COOrsCS 
:i do Little more than give starting points along a few lines. There must be 
' on. and our charter laws clearly indicate what must he the Leading lines 
dy. Bat we make a -rave mistake if we needlessly strike out of the curricu- 
lum anything that directly tends to Liberal culture. 
It is Interesting to note the tact that only one specific requirement Is made by Law 
■vhat shall be taught. There is express direction that these institutions shall 
• ictice. it is pitiful if student or officer ever allow himself to feel 
that this was an unreasonable requirement to accompany s munificent endowment 
by the nation. Does it not rather suggest that it is the high privilege of these 
; only to teach young men so they may be better fitted to pursue 
and batter fitted to defend their country by force of arms if s.t ei tin- 
sad need be, hut also to tit them for th«- - Bible discbarge of all the dm 
.ti/en f 
keynote of all I am trying I that the advancement of the nations] 
welfare is the one chief and sufficient rosson Cor the eetablishment of these eolleges 
and St \nd this is to he done not alone by helping young men and women to 
ti-t^. hut also by helping them to 
be be : men and women. 
The w or pertinent station- has been higlllj Of all the 
phenomenally w>. I he\ wen- mccivsarih hastily or^ani/ed. I he 
mass of ti M.-ne pr oved t<» he incompetent. There 
have been too a ueut and often 
not sufficiently appreciated the loss that < on 
kes made in choosing lines of inv< 
and n chosen. Important interest* 
have been part)} u< ome needlees duplication of 
The ideal COO] 
