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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-