Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1872 [PAGE 124]

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120

"We would further recommend that the minute details and care be left for the year to the Executive Committee. We also would recommend that Mr. Lawrence be continued a head farmer for the ensuing year, on same terms as those of last year. We would also ask that $1,501) be loaned to us, for the purpose of stocking the farm with cattle to consume our products. The amount could perhaps be refunded before it would be needed by other-departments. All of which is most respectfully submitted. J". H. PICKRELL, D. A. BROWN, JAS. R. SCOTT, R. R. HARRINGTON. A . BLACKBURN.

Mr. M. 0. Goltra, Chairman of the Committee on Building, read the following report, which was adopted :

To the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University : Your Committee on Buildings and Grounds, to whose supervision the University building and adjacent grounds was at the beginning of the year entrusted, would respectfully report, for the information of the Board, that such repairs and improvement have been, from time to time, made upon the building as was found necessary, or within reach of the means at the command of the committee. Moors of walnut and ash have been laid over the pine floors of the basement and first stories, the same being found necessary. On the 30th day of December, a fearful storm of wind partially removed the tin roof from the wing of the building, exx>osing to damage the structure underneath and the valuable library and cabinets of the University. Temporary repairs were at once madfe by the use of paper roofing, until the damage could be permanently and thoroughly repaired. We think the building now in good repair, and so 'far as your committee are advised, it is now in the best possible condition for subserving the interests of the University. The large additions to the number of studeifts in attendance on the University, have rendered additions to the out-houses and other conveniences upon the grounds necessary, which additions have been made with reference to economy. The extreme and unprecedented drought of the year, has on more than one occasion, exhausted the supply of water in the cisterns and wells of the grounds, rendering the sinking of one well and the deepening of others necessary to obtain the necessary supply. The ornamental part of the grounds has been under the care of Mr. Thos. Franks, the florist of the University, and notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of floral culture during the entire season, the grounds from May until November were radiant in beauty and attraction. The new buildings projected by the Board at the last annual meeting, in pursuance of the law of 1871, although not Avithin the scope of supervision of your committee, have received careful attention in every stage of their progress, and your committee take pleasure in bearing witness to the faithful compliance on the part of the builder, Mr. Gehlman, with the requirements of the contracts; both in character of the work and of the materials used. t All of which is respectfully submitted. M. C. GOLTRA, J. M. VAN OSDEL, JAS. R SCOTT, J. 0. CUNNINGHAM, Committee.

The report of Mr. J. Sr. Pickard, Chairman of the Committee on State of Institution was read :

To the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: • Tour Committee on the state of the Institution begs leave to report as follows : At different times during the year members of the Committee have visited the Institution, and have attended upon its exercises. They are pleased to notice steadily increasing attention to the condition of the buildings and grounds, and to observe a marked change for the better in all the public rooms of the building. The students give evidence of broader and better culture than during previous years. Their deportment in the class-room is that of earnest •self-reliantmen and women, who bend their energies to the accomplishment of the one purpose that has brought them here. The more advanced classes are specially commended for clearness and independence of thought. The farm and workshops are in good condition, more than meeting our expectations, in that they are so soon self-sustaining. The less advanced classes still show some lack of earlier advantages which