The Jamesburg Record

Rutgers Free Scholarships.

Of late there seems to be a general criticism of the management of Rutgers College, because more strenuous efforts are not made to induce young men to take advantage of the free scholarships provided by the State in its appropriation to Rutgers as the Agricultural Station of New Jersey. It is frequently said that Rutgers gets plenty of money for this and does not live up to the expectations of the State and taxpayers. Prof. William S. Meyers, secretary of the faculty, who is much annoyed at the reports circulated, says:

"It is true that the Legislature did, in 1890, pass a law providing for the free scholarships, and that since then some 400 students have taken advantage of this law. But Rutgers College has never received a cent in payment for this tuition, the State failing to live up to its contract. The college will not turn any one away who comes to it as a State scholar, but it has no desire to increase the number of non-paying students.

"The Free Scholarship law was passed in 1890. It provided for sixty scholarships, one for each of the old time Assembly districts. Immediately after the passage of this law there were forty-five applications for free scholarships, and the next year sixty-one applications, or one more than the law allowed.

"During the hard times the applications for scholarship diminished in number. The decrease is also owing to the fact that we had continually to fight for our rights in the State Legislature, which by refusing to compel payment due to us for tuition, threw cold water on any attempt of a vigorous application of this law. It is not true that we receive appropriations from the State, as the State pays nothing to the college from its own treasury. The United States pays a sum which merely passes through the hands of the State Treasurer.

"Although the State has never appropriated any money for the support of the State College, the trustees have at their own charge gone to an expense of $75,000 to accommodate the extra students coming as free State scholars.

"Rutgers College cannot be expected to go out in search of students from whom she will receive no financial return for the expense involved. As I have said, every one who comes here as a State scholar is welcome, but the number is now satisfactorily large for our equipment, and a much larger number would involve many changes in the college, which would mean further great expense. The State now owes us in the neighborhood of $70,000, and when this sum is paid and the State lives up to its contract then the college would do more than its duty in seeing that the free scholarships are filled.

"A State commission of investigation as suggested by some would be most welcome at any time."