Newspaper Page Text
SOUTHERN BANNER: JULY 23, 1878.
Report of the Board of Vis
itors to the Senior Class
to the University of
Georgia.
Athens, Ga., July 12,1878.
To Jilt• Excellency, A. H. Colquitt,
Governor of Georgia :
Sik—Tlio ten gentlemen designa
ted under the law by your Excellen
cy* to-Mril: J. W. Glenn, J. H. Dtin-
ihur», Murk Johnson, W. D. Havden,
H. S. Mitchell, C. M. Neal, C P.
Crawford, T. G. Pond,* J. T. White
and II. II.' Jones, to visit the Uni'
versity of Georgia, and “ attend on
the examination of the Senior class,*’
beg leave to submit the following
report■
The Board met in the University
Library at 10 a. si., July 3rd, and
organized by electing H. II. Jones,
Chairman, and C. P. Crawford, See-
retary. After the adoption of cer
tain rules and regulations for the
government of the body, it began its
duties forthwith.
All the papers as they came from
she hands of the Professors in every
department of study, were subjected
to the most rigid inspection, freely
commented upon, and then by a
vote ol* the whole Board finally dis-
po«ed of.
The several instructors also were
conferred with frankly and separately
as to tin- character of the text books
in use, the behavior of the students,
cheir intellectual progress, the wants
fit any) of the department under re
view and the general condition of the
all lira of tlie^Uni versity. Their full
tttto!'. candid responses indicated that
tiie
i'M'UUn OP THE UNIVERSITY
is a.u. able body of educators, some of
who n wxjirh) grace any foundation of
learning.
* Tiie examination papers of the
young oeutlcnieii, as a whole, were
'll;.uie equal to those of the past and
several preceding years. Some were
excellent, others good or medium,
an 1 a few inferior.
In this connection, it becomes the
duty of the Board to recommeiid that
examinatiou in
ARITHMETIC ANE GEOGRAPHY,
at the end of each collegiate term of
all the classes in the University, he
required as in former times- Too
much stress cannot bo laid upon such
elementary studies which underlie all
practical success in life. At present,
uo attention is given to these branches
bv the students in t he curriculum
.♦f the Franklin College depart
ment.
We find also the
SPELI.INO AND CHIROGRAPH*
nf some of the students defective,
which, however, is not the fault of
their collegiate instructors, but is
due to the careless training received
in the preparotory schools of the
State. This can be remedied only
>■7 raising the standard of admission
into the University, and requiring a
proper knowledge of these branches
is a condition precedent to those
seeking matriculation.
The Board were pleased to note a
decided improvement in the
GREEK EXAMINATIONS,
doubtless owing to the fact that prior
to those of last year, a change of in
structors had been made in that
branch of study in consequence of
the retirement of Professor Morris,
and the method and requirements of
hi- successor were not familiar to the
•lass. As* above stated all the de
partments of the University seem to
bo- ably administered, and carefully
taught, as indicated by the exhaustive
questions of the several professors
and the responses in writing of a ma
jority of those undergoing examina
tion.
DISCIPLINE OF THE UNIVERSITY.
The concurrent testimony of both
Faculty' and cit izens is, that the be
havior of the ur.dcr-graduntes for the
past year has been unoxceptionably
cood, save in a, few disturbances
which occurred during the session of
the Board of Visito-is, but are with
out material significance. The main
Ifcocty of students are orderly and
respectful in their demeanor and con
duct.
FACILITIES FOB: ACQUIRING CHEMIS
TRY AND NAtrURAI, AND MECHAN
ICAL SCIENCES.
These we honestly believe to be
unequal ed at the South, and hardly
surpassed in the Union.
Professors Charbimnior and White,
who have charge of these depart
ments, inclnditig for the former, as
tronomy and applied mathematics,
have tlieir laboratories in [terfect
order and most admirably arranged.
In the chemical rooms a largo
stock of material is on hand and per
fect system and neatnea*. obtain. The
untiring professor is also provided
with almost every appliance re
quired to illustrate his recitations, in
cluding
a Magnificent solar spectro
scope,
which cost 150b, an induction coil
(electricil machine) throwing a ten
inch spark, worth 8400; Natterers
apparatus for the liquefaction of
gasses, cost, 1800; Weston’s elec
trical machine, cost, $200, and pro
pelled by a beautiful little steam en
gine in the basement, besides a work
shop where the various models and
inslruments are constructed or re
paired. Here, too, may be seen
many specimens of minerals, coals,
woods, etc., all nicely labelled and
displayed. In the
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT,
which is clocked with a great variety
of exquisite^ models and drawing--,
Professor Charbonnicr has recently
placed a **testing machine” by
kiddie Bros., of Philadelphia, it a
cost of $1,250, capable of testing the
strength of wood or metals to t! e
extent of 41,000 ponnd*.
The professor tried what force was
required to pull apart apiece of deal
half inch plank three inches wide, and
also tested the ftrensth of a small
bar of iron to the groat satisfaction
of the Board. In this connection we
would mention that Professor Char
bonnicr offers to test materials sent
to him from any part of the State.
He has also recently introduced a
beautiful solar compass, which cost
$225, a splendid set of surveying in
struments, two transit?, two levels,
plane table, compasses, chains, etc.,
valued at $800. In addition, he has
a model of a
IlOWE TRUSS BRIDGE,
sixteen feet long, v-hich can be taken
to pieces and rebuil t, and i* capable
of sustaining 400 pounds. Fine
models of mining machinery also may
be seen, including one, in sections, of
a coal mine, showing all the parts.,
shafts and galleries with their timber
and mason work.
In short, the
APPARATUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
GEORGIA
comprises nearly all that is valuable
tor the instruction of modern science,
and cost as follows:
Chemical Department $6 000
Philosophical Department... 7,000
Engineering Department 4,500
Natural History and Geology. 5,000
Total $22,500
Besides the above, r.n unexpended
balance of nearly
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
remains on hand of the appropriation
of $15,000 made by the State to
equip Moore College, and which is
retained for the use of the new Pro
fessor of Natural Sciences and Astro*
nomy when ho shall have been elect
ed. It is our pleasing duty to attest
to the very judicious and economica]
disbursement of tbis special fund
donated to the University.
In the department of.
GEOLOGY AND METALURGY,
also, Professor Little is rapidly bring
ing ordei out of chaos. He, and his
several assistants, have been engaged
for several months in assorting, re
placing labels, classifying and arrang
ing the immense mass of minerals and
geological specimens which have re
mained in one undistinguishable pile
since the war. These are more than
three thousand in number, and em
brace specimens from every quarter
of the globe, some of them very rare
and of great value. An appropriation
from the Legis’aturc s much needed
and will be asked for, to construct the
necessary shelves and glass iccep-
taeles for this admirable cabinet of
minerals and museum of Indian relics.
MILITARY ORGANIZAl^ON.
We are informed by the ciwnrnand-
ant, Colonel Charbonier, that the
University Battalion is in a prosper
ous condition, and considerable esprit
de corps is manifested by the students.
They will parade at Commcncenmnt,
and it is said acquit themselves like
veterans. ,* %
THE LIBRARY
has received an increase of "tiro hun
dred and filly new and valuable
volumes during the past year, and,
under General Browne’s direction as
Librarian, and his assistants, is in
perfect condition. The liooks are all
properly groujied, according; to their
nature and the subject treated of.
But this Board feels called upon to
enter its so’emn protest to the farther
enforcement of the extraordinary-
rule which prohibits the removal of
any volume from the Library. Un
der the operation of such a 'Fegnla-
tion these rich stores of wisdom, in
struction anil amusement are
UC'- -■
PRACTICALLY DENIED
to the students. And yet each
matriculate is required to pay five
dollars for the privilege of reading
books to which they have virtually no
access. Surely this is wrong.
PARLIAMENTARY MOOT COURT.
The Board attended, on Monday
afternoon, the annual wrangle of Dr.
Metis’ Parliamentary students in the
Phi Kappa II ill. The question dis
cussed was ingeniously handled, and
culled into requisition all the shifts-and
expedients of forensic controversy.
Many of the chefs participated in the
debate and acquitted themselves with
credit. In this connection the Board
would call attention to the fact that
this valuable feature in our Univer-
aity training is wholly ignored by the
authorities, and has no place in the
curriculum. And yet it can not-be
questioned that in practical: impor
tance it is inferior to no other branch
of study.
We can but ltojie and recommend,
therefore, that proper steps may be
speedily taken to make the Parlia
mentary school a permanent'
tion iu ' the University. lir. Mell
deserves much credit far Ins gratui
tous labors in that direction.
THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM.
At the invitation of Dr. Little, who
is the professor in ciiarge since the
retirement of Professor Pendleton,
escorted by the Doctor in person,
the Board visited the farm in a body.
They found that noble structure (alas,
untenanted) “Uock College,” neat
as a penny and in admirable condi
tion. A new roof ol tin had replaced
the cracked slate covering, and the
entire-premises wore an air of thrift
and cleanliness.
The farm has been increased to
double its former size within the
present year, and now contains thirty
acres under fence.
The experiments this season are
confine! chiefly to corn and cotton.
TWENTY-TWO FERTILIZERS,
selected from the most noted com
pounds on sale in Georgia, are applied
to the soil, four rows of a ten acre
field being demoted to each, alter
nated with four rows needed without
any artificial help. The difference^iu
favor of the fertilized portions’ is
several hundred per cent. This farm
is almost self-sustaining, and the <<x-
perimeuts carefully and authoritative
ly made and reported, will prove in
valuable to the agriculturists of"
Georgia. To Mr. Grigsby, the very
intelligent and efficient agent of Dr.
Little, is the practical conduct of
the farm confided.
THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE
UNIVERSITY.
Through the courtesy of Hon. W
L. Mitchell, the veteran treasure^ of
the University, we have been allowed
access to his books, and make t he
following excerpts, to-wit: \
Net ciish balnncn on hand lifter pay- t ■
imr all Bf.laricM of Professors and
• accounts rendered to July 10tli.$10,04fl 68
Received for tuitionfsinoe Aug. 1877- 3,700' 00
Received for Library Fees to date... 520 00
Received to date for rent of Profes
sors’ dwellings, owned by the
University 1,321 )5
Received for rent of College dormiio
r.eitoi'ate • . ]8' CO
Received from Terrell endowment... 1,4(0 00
Received interest on Stale debt of
$100,000 6,000 00
Received interest on Land Scrip 14,7;i7- 07
Received cash for interest npon
bonds aid other investments... C34 29
Received cash for sales of produce on
Experimental farm 142 70
iiiiiiii mmwm
Total receipts $39,933 74
DisacBstUKtrrs
On salary account, and all other ex
penses to date 29,888 11
From the cash balance as given
above, however, to-wit, $10,048 63,
must be deducted the sum of 84,938
93 belonging to the unexpended fund
of $15,000 donated by tiie State to
equip Moure college.
This would leave a net balance in
the Treasury of the Univefsity-at-this
date of $5,109,74. A very satisfac
tory showing indeed.
AN ACT OP JUSTICE.
The Board would respectfully re
new the request made-in the report
of their jiredecessors Inst year, that
the Professors of the Univers : ty oc
cupying r,he dwellings upon the
campus ovi-ned by the State, should
be relieved from the payment of rent.
The salaries of these gentlemen at
best are scanty, and barely sufficient
for the support of their families.
Why then reduce the amount still
farther by the imposition of this
onerous tax. It is like “ robbing
Peter to pay Paul.”
THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE
UNIVERSITY.
It is with sincere reluctance that
we tie forced to confess that the out
look of our cherished University is
extremely di couragint; at this tim
From $15,COO received for tuition a
few years since, the amount has
dwindled down to $3,100, while the
number of students has declined fmm
312 in 1873 to 116 the present year,
with only 101 in actual attendance.
Let us begin with 1870 and mark the
decadence s~s evinced by the printed
catalogues. In that year, there were
npon the rolls, 195 .students, in 1871,
193, in 1872,255, in 1873, 312, in
1874, 266, in 1875, 229, in 1876, 203,
in 1877, 161, and in 1878 as stated
116.
Of the latter number, only about
thirty are paying students, and some
forty belong to ilm Agricultural col-
'V- '4-a.V *: V n
NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES ALLOWED
BY LAW.
What renders the foregoing fig
ures more significant and appalling,
is the fact that
THREE HUNDRED
young Georgians are entitled to tree
education at this venerable fane of
science, and only forty now avail
themselves of that priceless boon.
What is the cause of this semi-
asphixiution of our amply endowed
and once renowned State University ?
W hat malignant influences are at
work for its destruction ? Whence
the wide spread distrust and deser
tion of an institution so recently
embalmed in the affections and con
fidence of the people ? Like every
one else, we are left in darkness as to
the answers to these pertinent in
quiries, and can furnish no authority.-
live solution of the difficulty. Nor
does this Board of visitors arrogate
to itself any functions not delegated
to them, or assume to dictate either
to your Excellency, the General As
sembly, or any one else. We arc
aware that our recommendations
AUK SIMPLY ADVISORY,
but at your own special request, and
following the unvarying custom of
our predecessors, we feel it to be a
most sacred duty and obligation to
give all the light we can bring to bear
upon this subject which is of such
absorbing int erest to the whole com
monwealth. In doing this, it is the
object of the Board simply lo cumu
late and present for the consideration
of the General Assembly and all
concerned, the various reasons gath
ered from every source, which are
assigned for the painfully evident
decadence of our State University.
It is for others to sift from the mul
titude of these alleged causes such
kernels of truth as may he eliminated,
and apply the proper remedies:
1st. It is alleged that, disagree
ments exist among the Board of
Trustees upon sectarian issues, and it
is claimed that the Faculty should be
con-lruetcd upon a basis approxima
ting lo the relative strength of the
tf
£
O
Ph
l *0
W
<X
oc
p»n»wwe
3 b
tit sistitsa ftittttt
PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY MORNING AT
Terms, $2.U0 a Year, Invariably in Advance.
The “Southern Banner,” established in the year 1816.
is, consequently, sixty-two years old. Beginning when sci
ence in this country was, comparatively speaking, in its in
fancy—when the “art” of printing was carried on by a slow
and tedious process—when “buck skin balls”» were used to
spread the ink over the rough and unsightly types upon which
the paper was printed, with Home News one and foreign
News two months old, the different Proprietors have battled
with the changes of time—kept pace with the advancement
of science, and the rude types and rough presses have been
laid aside and their places are now occupied by*all the beau
tiful appliances known to the art.
The Banner is not only the oldest but the - largest paper
in North-east Georgia, and its columns are weekly filled with
reading matter suited to all classes and conditions, embracing
NEWS, POLITICS,
• - ■ 'V - ' >
ART, SCIENCE,
LITERATURE, POETRY,
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, *
DOMESTIC AND OTHER RECEIPTS,
STORIES, WIT, HUMOR, &C., AC
NOW IS THE TIME TO SUBSCRIBE.
In view of the vital questions which are agitating this and
foreign countries, and the elections that are to take place this
fall in Georgia and throughout the United States, a synopsis
and discussion of which will be contained in our columns,
we are sure that our paper will not only be acceptable but a
necessity to every family. Therefore, send in your names
and money and keep posted with the progress of the times.
CONCLUDED ON THIRD I’AGE.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Recognizing the fact that nothing adds more to the popu
larity of a paper than an interchange of views between
those among whom it circulates, we invite correspondence
upon all topics of interest to the public, and especially the
current news and agricultural progress of the section of coun
try in the territory of North-east Geoigia.
TO ADVERTISERS.
With a bona fide circulation of 2,000 copies weekly which
guarantees not; less than 8,000 readers, throughout Georgia
and the South, and especially in North-cast Georgia, one of
the richest sections in the South, we are confident that ad
vertisers could find no better medium through which to make
their wants known than the columns of the Scjthern
Banner. Address, H. II. CARLTON,
Editor & Prop’r-