Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 165]

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169 the proper proportions of women, it appears that of all the men who have been matriculated, 74 per cent, have taken technical courses, and 13 per cent, literary courses; and that of the men now in attendance 78 per cent, take technical courses, and 20 per cent, literary courses. A more just and equable application of the resources of the University could hardly be devised. It meets in the letter and in the spirit, that requirement of the congressional act, when it ordains that the "leading object of the University shall be to give instruction in Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, without neglecting other scientific and classical subjects." It should not be forgotten, that in the harmonious working of these two systems, side by side, the technical students acquire a certain invaluable share of literary culture, while the literary students possess unusual facilities for a good proportion of scientific training. Both classes find advantages which must be denied them in institutions less thoroughly equipped. The occupation of graduates, so far as known, is as follows.

In Agricultural pursuits Technical pursuits Mercantile pursuits Professional pursuits 20 per 35 per 16 per 28 per cent. cent cent. cent.

It is too early yet to generalize upon this point. Many of our graduates are yet employed provisionally, at occupations which offer temporary support while preparations are completed for undertaking the real work to which they will ultimately devote their energies and their education. It appears to me that the facts presented above in a condensed form, are such as must convince candid minds that this University has been, and is now, doing with unswerving fidelity the work which lies in its legitimate province. That it has earned, and therefore deserves, the confidence of the people, and the support of those who are entrusted with the management of the people's affairs. The question of paramount importance at this time, one which overshadows all others by the dangers with which it menaces present welfare and future prosperity, is the question. How shall this work be carried forward? I have prepared from the printed reports of the proceedings of this board a tabulated statement showing the yearly income of the endowment fund, sacred as you know to the payment of the salaries of instructors, the yearly aggregate sums paid to professors and teachers; and the yearly aggregate sums paid for all expenses, save such as were paid from legislative appropriations made for specific purposes.