Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 94]

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THE PREPARATORY CLASS.

Instruction in this class has been given during the year with good results, as follows: In Algebra, Geometry, and Natural Philosophy, by Mr. Samuel W. Stratton; in Physiology and in Botany by Assistant Professor Bolfe; in English Composition, Cicero, Yirgil and Anabasis, by Miss Cass; in the spring of 188") these subjects were taught by Miss Emma M. Hall. Miss Helen Gregory has taught elementary classes in Caesar, to volunteer students desiring such instruction. Of the general order and the studious character of the students of the University, nothing not commendatory can be said. The spirit of captious criticism, of disaffection, and of insubordination, seems to have given place to good-will, purposes of earnest study, and willing recognition of authority. The Mini has been handled with good judgment, and reflects the kindly feelings of the students which it has labored to promote. No student has been cited before the Faculty for an offense, during the present year. Nor should this account close without noting the excellent music wThich Miss Kitti e Baker and choir of well trained singers has given us daily in the Chapel, and at the Sunday lectures. These are revived for the last half of the year, though the generosity of Mr. T. W. Harvey and Mr. E. W. Blatchford, of Chicago. The report of the Librarian, Professor Crawford, is as follows: (Paper N.) Professor Morrow's quarterly report of ths Farm is herewith presented. (Paper O.) Professor Burrill's reports. I present the balance sheets of the Business Department of the University; the Agricul* tural Department covering the year ending December 1st. ami the Departments of Horticulture, Chemistry and the Mechanical Shops, to the year ending March 1st. The details of these departments other than these figures are so like those presented one and two years since, that their repetition seems unnecessary. (Paper P.) I also present my report of the expenditures of the State appropriations for mechanics and too}s, entrusted to me at your meeting in July last. (Paper Q.j

THE NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION

Will close finally on the 31st of the current month. There will be about two car-loads of material to come back to the University. .The Commissioners will return our goods free of charge to the railway station in Champaign, together with any goods that remain uncalled for which we may want. This will include all series of articles which were gathered at the expense of the Commissioners, as woods, grains, soils, coals, technological products, etc. The Commission will pay the expenses of a man to go to New Orleans and pack the goods and put them on the cars. He prefers that we select the person who shall go, and I recommend that Mr. Parker be sent for that purpose. The packing here was mostly done by him, and I shall feel most safe in committing this duty to his hands. His absence will not need to extend over two or three weeks. The sixteen glass cases and the several hundred bottles used in the display are the only items from which the Commissioners expect to realize any return. They will be at once needed here, to put the articles in proper display in the Museum on the upper floor. Some expense will also be incurred in moving the goods from the station to the University. I recommend that the Begent be authorized to expend not to exceed $250 for purchase of cases and bottles, and for the expense of replacing the exhibit in the University.

FARMERS' INSTITUTES.

Under aufhority given at your last meeting the State Board of Agriculture was informed that the Professors of this University would aid in the conduct of a limited number of Farmers' Institutes. Institutes were held as a result of this proposition in Princeton,1 Mattoon and Nashville. Professor Morrow attended all, and papers were also presented by Professors Burrill and McMurtrie, and the Begent. Beports indicate that the University has profited bv these meetings. As yet no provision has been made for payment of expenses of those Professors who attended, which expenses are in some cases matters of consequence At a meeting of the presidents and delegates of agricultural colleges held at the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture in Washington, in July last, resolutions were adopted urging Congress to make appropriations for establishing agricultural stations at the several colleges, in accordance with the terms of the so-called Cullom bill, which passed the senate of the last Congress, but was left on the calendar of the house at the expiration of the session. A committee was appointed to wait upon Congress and press this subject, the committee consisting of Presidents Atherton, of Pennsylvania; Wiflets, of Michigan, and Lee, of Mississippi. It was agreed that the necessary expenses of this committee would be borne by the several colleges. A request from President Atherton for leave to draw upon this University was referred to the members of the executive committee, and with their sanction I informed him that his drafts would be honored to the amount of not more than $100. None of this money has yet been called for, but if you approve of this action some provision should be made to meet such a call when made. I present the following communications: From Prof. Bicker, concerning use of text-books. From Prof. Comstock, concerning the use of his cabinet of minerals. From the principal of Bunker Hill Academy, desiring to have his school placed on the accredited list.