Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 244]

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To the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: GENTLEMEN—The prosperous condition of business generally, and especially of the agricultural interests of our State, the increased inquiry for catalogues and other information, and the numbers which have appeared already, both of former students and of applicants for admission, all indicate an attendance larger than has been known here for some years. An immediate duty is to provide adequate and competent instructors. To this subject I have given the most constant and careful attention, pursuant to instructions received from you at your last meeting, and I have now to present the following nominations: For Professor of Chemistry, William McMurtrie, Ph.D., of Washington, D. G , late chief chemist of the Dapartment of Agriculture. From the very strong endorsements given to Prof, McMurtrie by leading chemists at the East, from the record he has made while in the department as chief chemist, as Superintendent of Agriculture in the United States Section of the Paris Exposition of 1878, and as a specialist in working out important industrial problems at home, and from personal acquaintance, I am led to believe that the chemical instruction in this University will in no way suffer if committed to his charge. For Professor of Zoology and Geology I name Benjamin C. Jillson, M. D., Ph. D., of Pittsburg, Pa. Dr. Jillson is a graduate of Yale College; he was employed on the geological survey of Tennessee; was Professor of Geology and Zoology in Tennessee, and afterward in the Western University of Pennsylvania; was for nine years Principal of the Pittsburgh High School, giving to it a character and fame of the first class. Dr. Jillson will bring to us sound learning, large experience, and a thorough knowledge of the wants of a department which waits for the hand of a master-builder. Professor W. A. Kellerman, of the Agricultural College of Kentucky, at Lexington, presents strong recommendations, and would do good service. For Instructor in Ancient Languages and Preceptress, I wTould name Miss Florence C Perkins, now of the Cleveland High School. Miss Perkins is a graduate and valedictorian of Vassar College, and has been employed there as instructor in Latin and Greek, She has since made a good record in the High Schools of Burlington, Vt., and Cleveland, (X She brings evidence of ability to instruct in any line of work which we should desire to give her. Chiefly, however, I have sought a lady who would possess the tact and capacity to act as preceptress for the young ladies of the University. While the duties of this position may be less obtrusive, they will in fact be more important than the work of an instructor. The qualities needed will be peculiar and rare. I have not been able to secure elsewhere the same promise of excellence that she seems to possess. Authority is asked that the Kegent and the Professor of Chemistry may appoint one, and if it should seem needful, two second assistants in the Chemical Laboratory. Authority is asked for the appointment of another instructor for the preparatory class, if the increased numbers of that class should require such assistance. Also, that the Faculty may appoint an Instructor of Elocution on the same terms as for the last two years I present the request of Mr. Kimball for an increase of salary. I can say no more in regard to it, than to express again the high opinion I have always held as to Mr. Kimball's usefulness in his present position, and to ask that you will give bis request the consideration it deserves.

THE MACHINE SHOP.

The alterations therein have been made as authorized at your last meeting. It will now be possible to systematize the work more than heretofore, and thus to provide better for the constantly growing classes in this specialty. It is part of the same design that more tools should be added, and I ask an appropriation of $200 for that purpose. I have had plans and estimates prepared for erecting an addition to the machine shop, to be used as a blacksmith's shop and foundry, to contain 16 fires, and to cost dollars. I suggest that the Legislature be asked to furnish the means for building this addition, with dollars for additional machinery and tools for the Mechanical and Architectural departments. These increased facilities are each year more imperatively needed, and I believe that such requests would meet a very cordial response.

THE LIBKAKY.

The improvement authorized in this room has been made by constructing cases along the south and west walls, and by arranging the floor cases to form four alcoves at the south end. The accommodation for books has been increased by feet of shelving, with space for volumes. The nature of the improvement made it desirable to bring it to its present degree of completeness. The cost has exceeded the appropriation by $65.88, and the iron railing is left to be added at a future time. An assignment of $1,000 is asked from the Library appropriation for the purchase of new books. The repairs of the upper room in the west wing have been completed, and the room will be occupied by the College of Engineers for their museum, as soon as possible. While making these repairs it was found that a portion of the ceiling in the art gallery was in danger of falling, and by advice of the Executive Committee that has been taken down and replaced. I present the usual report from the Professor of Agriculture.