Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 188]

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Other influences have assisted in strengthening this opposition, especially the dissatisfaction of those who have felt a strong interest in the admission of fraternities into the University. I have steadily withstood all attempts at the sudden and summary overthrow of the government. I have, however, believed that this form of government could not be useful or efficient, unless sustained by the earnest concurrent sentiment of a majority of the, students of the University. It is evident that if a majority of those of the students who would vote on the matter at all, should be inimical to the government, that same majority, by gaining possession of the offices by which the government is made operative, could render it inoperative by simple inaction. That has been the condition of the better part of the last two years. Under the authority of the government itself, an election was lately held by the students upon the question of the continuance of the government after the end of the current collegiate year. The result of the election was 110 votes against the continuance of the government, and 70 for the same—about 120 students did not care to vote. The subject has been carefully considered by the Faculty, and I am asked to lay before you the result of their deliberations in the accompanying preambles and resolutions, in which your concurrence is respectfully asked. For myself I have to say that I have taken great interest in the progress of this experment in conducting the discipline of American colleges, and I have therefore taken every step which seemed to me proper to maintain the government, so far as its action could be made conformable to the law.' Yet I am compelled to say that, during most of the time since I have been Regent, and for at least the last two years of my predecessor's administration, the government has either been purposely inefficient, or, if efficient, has been so conducted as to aggravate rather than eradicate the evils it was intended to control.

APPROPRIATIONS.

Y JU have doubtless watched with interest the progress of the bill making appropriations for the University, through the various steps of legislation in the General Assembly, and you are aware thatit still awaits passage on third reading in the House of Representatives. As the success or failure of this bill involves matters of the utmost importance to the financial interests of the University, I respectfully recommend that the consideration of all questions which will depend upon its passage.be postponed until it shall be definitely known what are the intentions of the Legislature towards the University. It is, however, desirable that the Trustees will determine at the earliest moment after the financial condition is fully settled, many items concerning the corps of instruction, repairs, construction, etc.

RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVALS.

You are already informed that the detail of Lieut. V . T. Wood expires on the 1st of V July next, and that Lieut. Charles McClure is appointed by the War Department to the vacancy. Lieut. Wood came to the instruction of the University Battalion at a critical period, and undertook its duties amid circumstances of peculiar difficulty. He has shown much tact, good judgment, and fidelity, and I trust that some suitable recognition will be entered upon record concerning his eminent services and success. Mr. N. S. Spencer, for some time foreman in the carpenter shop, resigned at the end pf the last term, in order to go into business for himself in a distant State. He had been a useful instructor and an efficient foreman, and his resignation was much regretted. Mr. George W. Parker, for a considerable time employed under Mr. Spencer, was, with the authority of the Executive Committee, appointed to be foreman until the 15th of June. Mr. Howard Slawson declines reappointment as 1st Assistant in the Chemical Laboratory. Mr. Edward S. Morse will »ot expect reappointment as Assistant in Ancient Languages, as it is understood to be the intention of the Trustees to fill this place with a lady, should satisfactory arrangements be made. Prof. Snyder's department has required unusual labor during the last year, and his health has been debilitated for that reason and others. He has carried six classes per day during the year, and has had daily before him nearly 200 students. I earnestly recommend that he be provided with the help of a suitable assistant. I recommend that Mrs. Abbie Wilkinson be appointed teacher of music, for the coming year, upon the usual conditions. That the appointment of an instructor of elocution be indefinitely'postponed. Other recommendations concerning the corps of instruction I desire to postpone until after the passage of the legislative appropriations.

THE NORTH BARN

is now empty of hay, and the new crop will soon be ready for storage. -The barn needs repairs in its foundations, which can not well be delayed. The extent of repair needed can not be positively known until the floor is removed and the sills, some of which are known to be decayed, are disclosed. Authority is asked to expend $250 for these repairs, if so much should be found necessary. Prof. Morrow's report is herewith appended. S. H. PEABODY, Regent.

The following resolution of the Faculty relative to the college government of students, laid before the Board, was considered and approved :