Michigan's Disgrnce

For the ilrst time in its history, Michigan, has a ítovernor opposed to the best interests of her educatioual system. In a recent conversation, Gov. Lnce said that lie preferred the old plan of "rate bilis" to the present free school system. The state shoiild not edúcate her chlldren ! It sounds like an echo from the dark ages - and It s. When Mr. Luce was a state senator in 18ÖÖ-7, he was one of a small minority that opposed grantingan approprlation to the State University. He lias not outgrown his narrow views concerniría this great intttitution yet. Unfortunately he now holds a position where his danperous prejtidicescan work great mischief, and in keeping with his pronounced opinions and past record-, he gives hlmself natiiinal reputation and everlastine obloquy in stahbiny the university and endeavoring to cripple lts usefulness by vetoing its appropriatlon bill. The reasons assigned are such as we mijrht expect frora such a source. They are in substance these : 1. The university bas been costing too inuch of late j'ears (It has grown too fast, in other words.) 2. It edúcales too many from other states. It Hhould charge a hiher tuitinn than it does to pupils from outslde the state. 3 The item of $73,000 for xddltional plivsic il laborutoiies is too luuch. Let us look at these reasons a moment. The university is the child of the people and this year celebrates with the state her riftieth inniversary. The growth ot the in-titiition has kept pace with the state, and the property held by her to-day is greater in value than the gum total of the appropriations ever received. Agaln, the non-resident students of the uiiiversity more than pay for the extra attividnut up ui educating them. Many of our best ctlizens are to-day residents of Miehigan, solely and eimplj bt-cuise the university brougtit them hore. The univeraity is un der the control of eight regeuts elected directly by the people, demócrata and repuhlicuns, any one of them bei nu the superior of Gov. Lnce in mental capacity and business ability. These men, Ex-Gov. BI air tmtflt the number, say that $75,000 is needed fornew laboratorles. Fourcommitteesof the tejrfalature - the uul uiiiversity ('cuumittees nf both house - looked the case over carefully, and reporti-d favorably. Both houses visited Ann Arbor and examined for themselves, and both pasícil the bill. Now we subtait that a man must he built wrontfly who on a mere matter ol opinión would setbiinself up Hgainst M many of his equals, for the purpose of beiug the first great example in the state to strike a blow at Miehigan University. Home say that Mr. Campbell, tho gfovernor'fl priyato fH-cretary, Is at the bottom of the affair, but while what we know of Mr. Campbell leads us to belleve that he U capable of just such things, yet we think the eovernor is built that way. If it's a questton of " principies," as sorae cry, it's very unfortunate that thev were not known last fall j it it's policy, " Cyrua the Qreat" and his prime minister have scored a home run.