Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 77]

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69 P. S. Stuart, that he should have secured thus early so much interest in his department. The new chemistry class entering last fall, numbered SO students, and already there are 38 at work in the over-crowded Laboratory, Ah appropriation of $50,000 was asked for a Laboratory building, furnished with the necessary apparatus for mining and metallurgical uses, as well as chemical analyses. Its importance was recognized by the cotnmittees to which our application was referred, but the extent of appropriations needed by other institutions compelled a present denial of the request. This is the more to be regretted, because, long before a suitable building can be erected, the department will have utterly outgrown its accommodations. It may be found wise to prepare temporary quarters for it in the basement, or some other part of the new main building. The department of Civil Engineering has also won some laurels under the efficient management of Prof. Shattuck and his assistants. Classes have been trained in both theory and field practice, and the services of some of the students have already been sought by outside parties, in engineering work. Prof. Snyder has also given much force to the several departments tinder his charge. The Bookkeeping classes are always crowded, as are also the classes in German ; and the Military Drill has been maintained with more vigor than in any similar institution known to me. With the aid of the new Drill hall, planned in connection with the new Mechanic building, a much greater efficiency can be given to the Military course. The success attending our efforts to meet fairly the legal requirements laid upon us, to include military tactics in our course of instruction, has suggested the propriety of asking Congress to give ladditional aid in a work of such national importance. I have sent accordingly to Hon. John A. Logan, late chairman, of Committee on Military Affairs in the House of Representatives, the sketch of a plan for a National system of military education, which I herewith submit to you as a proposition touching the future prospects of this institution.

THE LABOR SYSTEM.

The labor system still costs us much care. Two difficulties meet us constantly: First, to provide a sufficiency of such labor as the students can perform; and second, to get such work as we do provide, well and economically performed. The practical value of the labor, as a necessary adjunct of a sound industrial education, can scarcely be over-