| Summary: | Minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings held in 1881f\ SO
Auburn, Alabama
June 27, lSSl
A k M College of Alabama
At the regular Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural and
Mechanical College of Alabama, there were present: Messer.s Armstrong, Barnes,
Clopton, Haralson, Hardie, Langdon, Ligon, Malone, and Stansel.
ON MOTION of Mr. Stansel, the Governor of the State being absent, Mr. Langdon was
elected President pro tern of the Board.
The standi ng corrnnittees having been called for, ON MOTION, of ViI'. Barnes, they
be reorganized by the President of the Board.
Corrunittees :.
On Finance: Hessers Barnes, Clopton, Stansel, Malone and Hardie, to "which was
added Mr. Langdon.
Revision of Laws: Hessers Clopton, Barnes, Stansel,. Ligon and Haralson.
College Land,s and P,roperty: Malone, Armstrong, Lig.on,_ Hardie and Langdon.
Course of Study: Stansel, Ligon" Malone, Haralson, and Clopton.
Claims: Haralson, Barnes, and Armstrong.
Agriculture: Ligon, Armstrong, Hardie and Langdon.
ON HOTION of VlI'. Haralson, ViI'. Langdon was added to the cormni t tees on Finane e,
College Lands and Property, and Agriculture. Mr. Langdon's name appears on the
committees designated by the motion of Mr. Haralson.
ON :[\lOTION of Mr. Armstrong, the President of the College be informed that the
Board of Trustees is now organized and is ready to receive any communication he
may be pleased to make.
The President of the College Uieiil .l.read and submitted his Annual Report, -w,hich ON
MOTION of Mr. B~rnes was laid on the table for the present. (Note)
The Treasurer of the College, being too unwell to appear before the Board, His
report was submitted by the Secretary which on motion of Mr. Armstrong was referred
to the Corrunittee on Finance.
The standing Committee to audit the accounts, books, etc. of the Treasurer submitted
their. report.
(Note: The Treasurer's report and the report of the Auditing Committee will be
found at the conclusion of the proceedings of the Board.)
ON MOTION of Mr. ~~lone the report of the Preseident was taken from the table
and on MOTION of l>1r. Barnes, that portion of the President I s report which refers
to secret societies, hops, banquets, etc. be reviewed by the Committee on Revision
of Laws. Also,
- - -- - ----- - - --- -- - ------
ON MOTION of Mr. Armstrong the Committee on Revision of Laws after examination of
the report of the President refer particular parts thereof to appropriate committees
for their consideration and action.
(Note: Dr. Tichenor -having taken a portion of his report, it will be found at the
conclusion Qf proceedings of the Board.)
There being a committee already constituted "to present to the General Assembly of
the State the claims and needs of the College and to urge such appropriations as
are justly due the College~ it was eN MOTION of Mr. Barnes that ~~. Clopton be
added to the Committee and the same be continued.
ON MOTION of Mr. Armstrong the Board adjourned until 8 A. M. tomorrow.
1 82
Auburn, Alabama
June 28, 1881
A & M College of Alabama.
The Board met pursuant· to adjounnment and there were present: Messers .Armstrong,
Barnes, Clopton, Haralson, Hardie, Langdon~ Ligon, Malone and Stansel.
Mr. Clopton submitted as chairman of the Committee on, Revision 'of Laws the
following:
The Committee on the Revision of Laws to which was referred a portion of the
President's report, have had thes~e under consideration and instruction to
offer the following resolution. RESOLVED, That section 65 of "Regulations"
be amended so as to read as follows.
No secret society shall hereafter be allowed to exist or to be organized by
the students in this institution; and students whether they have attended the
College at a previous session or are t here for -the first time matriculating,
shall sign a pledge not to attend or belong to any such society while they remain
students of the College, and any student who violates this rule shall be
suspended or expelled as the Faculty may determine.
Which was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Clopton, Chairman of the Committee on Revision of Laws submitted the following
resolutions:
"That the College building hereafter shall not be used for the purpose of having
balls, hops or banquets at Commencement or any other time except upon the special
permit of the Faculty." .
Which was unanimously adopted.
Mr . Barnes from t he Committee on Finance not being ready to make a special report
asked leave to refer the report of the Treasurer to a Committee of the whole.
Mr. Haralson offered the following resolution:
1. RESOLVED, That the f 'ollowing appropriations be made for the ensuing collegiate
year.
For Insurance
" Farm, net proceeds
" Repairs and Improvements
" Printing
" Stationery
II Interest and Exchange
II Apparatus and Chemieals
" Freight
II Military'
" Advertising
" Speakers
" l'IIusic
" Servants
"
"
Postage
Fuel
150.00
250.00
200.00
200.00
50.00
200.00
200.00
175.00
150.00
200.00
75 :~OO
100.00
250.00
75.00
150.00
- - - - - - ---- - ---
-A 83
That the President and Treasurer be empowered not to exceed the foregoing appropriations,
for each object specified, except with the advice and consent of the
Executive Committee of this Board, firsthand.
2. That the Treasurer be required to keep a separate itemized account of expenditures
under the above named heads of appropriation so that all expenditures Qf the
College shall at all times appear under separate appropriate accounts.
3. That Messers Barnes, Ligon and Armstrong be and they are hereby appointed as
the Standing Executive Committee of this Board.
4. That the salaries of the President, Professors and Instructiors of the College
be and they are hereby reduced ten per cent. But while this ' reduction is made, the
Board would state that it is done, hot because they. consider them to be too large
as at present regulated, but because they deem this course absolutely necessary to
relieve the institution.of its present embarrassed financial condition. Adopted.
Mr. Armstrong, after today, asked for leave of absence, which was granted; also
Mr. Haralson.
ON MOTION of Mr. Barnes, That the several degreesrecommendea by the President of
the College to be conferred upon the cadets of the graduating class .of 1880-81
be approved by the Board, which was adopted.
M~. Barnes, having called the att~ntion of the Board to the Annual election of
Treasurer and Surgeon, placed in nomi nation for Treasurer of the ~ollege, E • . T.
Glenn who was unanimously elected and was required to give bond in the sum of
($20,000) twenty thousand dollars to be approved by the Governor aB~ President
Ex Officio of the Board.
Dr. J. H. Drake was unanimously elected Surgeon of the College.
ON MOTION of Mr. Ligon, the Secretary be requested to invite each member of the
Faculty to me et the Board at 4 o'clock P. M. and advise with them as to the best
interest wellbeing and government of the College.
ON EOTION, the Board adjourned until 4 o'clock P. M.
The Board met at 4 o'clock P. M. and there present: Messers Armstrong, Barnes,
Qopton, Haralson, Hardie, Langdon, Ligon, Malone and Stansel.
The Board want into Executive session and the Secretary retired. On return of
the Secretary, the Board adjourned.
)' 84
\
Auburn, Alabama
Wednesday, June 29, 1881
Agricultural and Mechanical College
The Board met and there were present Messers Barnes, Clopton, Hardie, Langdon,
Ligon, Malone and Stansel. Absent; the Governor and Messers Armstrong and
Haralson.
ON NOTION of Mr. Hardie, That the portion of the resolution in r eference to the .
reduction of the salaries of President, Professors and Instructors be reconsidered
The motion was carried.
ON MOTION of Mr. Hardie, That the foregoing resolution in reference to reduction
of salaries do not apply to Mr. McGehee, one of the Instructors in this Coll ege.
v~ . Malone called for the yeas and nays on this resolution.
Those voting in the aff irmative were Messers Barnes, Clopton, Hardie, Langdon,
Ligon and Stansel.
Nays, Hr. ~1alone.
By Mr. Stansel. RESOLVED, That it shall be at the discretion of the Commandant
to have the uniforms of cadets nlanufactured at Auburn or elsewhere as he may
deem best under all the circumstances. Adopted .
By ijr • . Barnes. Be it ordained by t he Board of Trustees, That section 3 of the
regulations of the College be amended so as to read as follows: The Commandant
of the Cadets shall have charge of the Military Department. He shall have authority
t o publish and enforce all orders he may find necessar.y for the government
and general well being of the Corps of Cadets, and to conduct the duties of the
military system; and that the Faculty, shall have the power and authority -to .
regulate the t imes of parade, drills, inspections, roll calls, and mounting and
relie,ving guards and to pass all needful rules and regulations to secure the
proper discipline and order of the cadets, and the general government of all
academical i nst ruction, discipline and coll ege police, provided there shall not
be less than three dri lls a week.
The Board adjourned unt il 4 o ' clock p.m.
------ -------------------------------------------------- - - - -- -- --- -'
-It 85
The Board met at 4 o'clock P. M. and all were present except the Governor of the
State and Messers Armstrong, Haralson, and Lawler.
ON i;fOTION of 14r. Barnes the degree of A. M. be conferred on Hr. W. J. 11cKinnie
of Opelika. Adopted •
. By Mr. Stansel. That the sum of one hundred dollars per annum be paid out of the
funds of ten College to the Treasurer for receiving and disbursing the funds of
cadets which may come into his hands. Adopted.
By Mr. Stansel. RESOLVED, That the services of two only of the instructors or tutors
named in the catalogue be retained for the next collegiate year; and that the Faculty,
.shall determine which two of said instructors or tutors shall · be retai.ned. Adopted.
The Board then went into Executive Session, the Secretary retiring.
On r eturn of the Secretary, h~ was advised of the following action had by them.
The motion by which the salary of the Treasurer was increased in the sum of one
hundred dollars for receiving and disbursing such funds as might be deposited
with him was reconsidered and the motion was not adopted.
RE::>OLVED, That the sal ary of the Secretary of this Board shall be 'one hundred and
fifty dollars per annum. Adopted.
The Board adjourned .
F. M. Reese, Secretary to
Board of Trustees of
A & M College
Note: Levi W. Lawler nor the Governor were present at this sessi on of the Board.
--- -------
~ 86
Reports:
Report of the Treasurer
To the Honorable Board of Trustees
Gentlemen:
A & M College
Treasurer's Office
June 15, 1881
I have the honor, herewith, to submit to your consideration and investigation, the
transactions of this office for the fiscal year ending June 15, 1881.
, Receipts:
From State Treasurer
" Incidentals
II
" II
Surgeon Account
Farm proceeds
Expense, coal, etc.
Disbursements:
By Amount paid t o Balance
II Expense Accoumti,
II Repairs and Improvements Account
" Fixtures " II Printing " II Stationery and Records " II Freight II
II Interest and Exchange II
II Apparatus "
" Military " II Trustees II
II Salaries II
" Farm II
" Insurance 1/
" Chemicals II
" Surgeon II
II Advertising II
Respectfully,
,E. ,T. Glenn, Treasu.rer
$20,280.00
1,805.00
597.50
165&89
156.00
3,499.53
' 1,246.84
205.43
45.48
216.75
134.75
188.99
337.87
48.90
162.70
103.50
16,585.00
616.85
150.00
237.46
597.50
208 .20
$24,585.77
Disbursements in excess of receipts $1,581.38 '
A 87
Itemized Statement of Expenditures from Journal:
Expense Account
July 12, 1880 $. 226.22
" 30, 1880 76.99
October 29, 1880 213.80
December 30, 1880 199.50
January 31, 1881 50.65
:t;Iarch 30, 1881 390.56
April 30, 1881 32.35
June 15, 1881 56.47
$1,246.84
Less cash for coal $156.00.
Repairs and Improvements
July 2, 1880 $ 11.35
October 28, 1880 19.45
December 15, 1880 92.40
JanuaFi 12, 1881 13.30
!-larch 21, 1881 12.26
April 27, 1881 12.95
V.la.y 27, 1881 43.72
$205.43
Fixtures
November 3, 1880
February 8, 1881
April 5, 1881
June 6, 1881
Printing
July 21, 1880 $165.25
October 9, 1880 5.10
March 28, 1881 26.40
14ay 2, 1881 20.00
$216.75
Stationery and Records
July 24, 1880 34.80
October 14, 1880 5.95
December 21, 1880 6.15
FebruaFi 21, 1881 87.55
Freight
July 28, 1880 4.25
October 20, 1880 105.10
December 30, 1880 13.90
January 24, 1881 27.59
¥.18.rch 28, 1881 27.15
April 14, 1881 5.00
May 8, 1881 6.00
$188.99
July 30, 1880
October 9, 1880
December 30, 1880
March 30, 1881
April 30, 1881
January 27, 1881
April 6, 1881
July 21, 1880
December 30, 1880
March 23, 1881
April 28, 1881
lvlay 30, 1881
July 1, 1880
July 31, 1880
October 9, 1880
January 10, 1881
April 8, 1881
July 30, 1880
October 29, 1880
December 30, 1880
January 31, 1881
¥Jarch 18, 1881
II 21, 1881
April 28, 1881
June 1, 1881
Int erest and Exchange
. Apparatus
Military
. 'Trustees
Salary Account
Insurance
Farm
Receipts from Farm
October 13, 1880
January 15, 1881
April 12, 1881
CheI\licals
$ 100.62
57.02
61.22
101.98
17.03
$ 337.87
$42.62
6.30
$48.92
$68.35
39.35
20.00
15.00
20.00
$162~70
$103.50
$ 4,712.50
2,922.50
4,5$7.50
62.50
16,585.00
$150.00
$ 79.50
88.05
55.80
25.75
109.15
2.10
68.00
188. 0
616.85
$165.89
$ 97.45
64.54
75.4~
$237.4
June 22, 1880
October 29, 1880
December 30.\ 1880
January 28, 1881
¥..arch 4, 1881
April 16, 1881
May 20, 1881
Advertising
Report of Uniform Depaz:tments
Received fo~ uniforms
Paid to contractor
. $ 10.00
72.20
60.50
36.50 '
18.20
J~lO
7.70
$ 20£?20
$2,688.75
$2,688.75
II 89
Your committee have ~xamined the books of the. Treasurer in which are kept an account
of uniforms and find that the foregoing statement is supported by vouchers
of the Commandant. . ..
F. !L Reese )c .;t4- w. C. Dowdell) OIl1IIlJ." vee
Report of the Auditing .Committee
on . the report of the Treasurer ·.
A & ~ College of Alabama
June 15, 1881
To the Honorable Board of Trustees .of the
Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama
Gentlemen:
Your committee constituted by resolution of the Board a standing committee and to
whom is ,assigned the duty of examining and auditing the books, accounts, etc. of
the Treasu~erJ have discharged that duty.
They have carefully examined every item of d::i,. sbursement and find therefor a voucher
approved and endorsed by the President or actling president of the College, and that
they are correct in every ins~ance and pa~ticular.
. .
~hey further havEL the pleasure . to in:t;orm the: Board that the books of the Treasurer
are well and neatly kept and cared for with all proper care and prudence.
Your committ"ee if not go~g bey~:md theip exact duty do not hesitate to state to
the Board that the labors of the T~easurer are arduous and confining, consuming
all his time and attenti~n during the exercises of the College and a greater portion
during the vacat.ion.
In view of this fact, your committee are of the opJ.l1J.on that the salary of that
officer is no commensurate with the many and continued duties of pis off~e and
would therefore request of the Board a favorable consideration of the propriety
and justice of increasing the salary of the Treasurer.
Most respectfully,
F. H. Reese
W. C. Dowdell
f': 90
Report of the President to the Board of Trustees
Gentlemen of the Board of TFustees:
The number of students on roll for the present collegiate year is 182.
While this number is less than that of last year, the diminni.tion has not -been
greater than might have been reasonably expected.
The condition of the country, especially of the farming community, from which our
patronage is so largely drawn, has been most unfavorable. But this diminution has
been chiefly in our preparatory department'.
Last year the students in College proper numbered 150; this year, 135. In the
Preparatory Department last year 79, this year 47. The graduating class this
year numbers 15, of whom there are in the literary course 5; in the course in
Engineering 5; Agriculture 3 and in Science 2. TIle promise of this class is
equal to that of any that has ever graduated at this College. Three of them
have been called away from the College near the close of the term by offers of
fine positions in the pursuit for which their college t raining has fitted them
and are receiving from $75 and $100 per month for the±r services. Others have
good places in view and there is every .probability that before the coming autumn
more than half of this class will be aotively engaged in their chosen voastions
in highly honorable and remunerative positions.
If we may judge from letters of enquiry received from our own and other states
as well as from official statements ' from the highest sources in the country, there
can be little doubt that the reputation of the College is broadening and rising
with every year of its history.
The greatest hindrance to rapid progress in the efficienCY of every department
is the want of adequate income. This fact made the fai lure of the effort to
secure aid from the last Legislature a sore disappointment' to the fi-rends of
the College.
The measure proposed by the Board of Trustees while it would have saved every
year hundreds of thousands of doll ars to the farmers of the State, would at the
srune time have furnishedthe ' College the money for its appointed work it so
much needs. But though disappointed we are not hopeless' of the future ~ The'
measure vetoed by the Governor must in some form be passed by another Legislature.
Every other political community in the limi ts of the civilized world where commercial
~ertilizers are sold to an equal extent has passed a similar law, and
Alabama cannot always remain the. solitary exception. 1rfuether t h'e College
s ecures any benefit from it or not, nothing in the future is more certain then
that our State must have some law to regu,l8,te 'the sale of commercial fertil:i:zers ' ..
During the session the Faculty recognized the existence of the secret fraternities
t hat had previously existed in the College. This rrecognfbion- has prbV'ed very
detrimental to the interest of the Institution. These societies have made more
mani fest than ever the evils of our system of discipline. A system which is in
every judgement both weak and demoralizing in its tendenc·ie&. 'The Board 'should
consider carefully the whole question and seek some remedy or their evils will
prove disastrous to the College. They will find ' the Faculty Teady to cooperate
as may be needed.
1 95 ,
The hop or ball a1l0wed at Commencement has ' been the subject of no little remark
throughout the country and has been a serious ~jury to' the College.
The Faculty unanimously request the Board to withdraw their consent to it in the
f uture '
More than once students ' have appealed ' from the acion of the Faculty to the Board
for certain privileges which have been granted them. This pract i ce tends to break
down the discipline of the College and to foster a spirit of in5ubordination among
t he students. It is earnestly hoped that the Board will not give consideration to
any communications from students unless they come to it through the Faculty.
The report of the Treasurer shows a small r eduction in the debt of ·the College
during the past year. This reduction would have been even greater, had the number
of students been equal to what it was last year.
With the view of restoring onr number it would be well to have some members of the
Faculty empl oy part at least of the vacation in canvassing for the College arid 'as
the salaries of the professors do not admit ' of any great outlay for the benefit
of the Institution I recommend that a small income be allovled each of them so employed
to defray their traveling expenses while engaged inthis work • . This sum
would be more than repaid by the fe es of the students t hus obtained.
The Commandant ' of the College makes some recommend:ations in his report-, as t 'o
clothing and arms to which the attention of the Board is resp e'ctfu~ly call ed.
Professor Dunklin reports that his classes have made good progress and have accompl1.
ehed the amount of work prescribed 'for them • . He has been assisted by those .
whose special work lies in other departments.
In order to make uniform the instruction throughout his department h.e asks of the
Board the appointment of an Instructor for this specific work whose tiine in whole
or in part he 'can control and direct. This request c'an be .granted without increasing
the number of instructors.
Professor Smith reports that the several classes have made commendable progress and
have accomplished more work in nearly every subject than elasses or previous years.
The transfer of mechanics to the Department of Physics '(Professor Mell) will reduce
the number of recitations in his department and enable him easily to instruct it
without assistance.
Professor Mell reports, that, notwithstanding the deficiencY' of apparatus, "I '
am gratified to state that the students with one or two exc eptions have exhibited
satisfactory advancement."
The young men pursuing , t 'he course in · Science, Agricul tur'e and Engineering deserve
special . mention. The avidit;1' with which they haV'e grasped the several questions
presented for 'their consideration indicated a strong desire on their part to be-:
come thoroughly conversant with t he intricate problems of their chosen professions.
"
Three students graduated in tbe course in Telegrapby and are fully prepared to
take charge of .telegraph offices.' He has sent out during the year 2523 specimens
and haS receIved in exchange 2778.
.( 96
There have been added to the museum this year 3137, whole number in museum 17,066.
The money valu~ of th~ specimens added this year at Philadelphis prices is $526.40
The cost to the College for gathering has been less than $25.00.
The deficiency of apparatus in this department interferes seriou~ly with the
work of the Professor and he askes for $500 to supply this want. He sorely
needs it and I deeply regret that it is not in the power of the Board to furnish
it.
Professor ¥~son reports that his classes have made more than ordinary progress
especially the classes in English Grammar and History.
Besides the work of his own department, ,he has two classes, one in Latin and
one in Greek for Professor Dunklin.
I deeply regret that the protracted sickness of Col. Chambers has prevented his
making a report of the department of Agriculture. But I maY be allowed to say
for him that he has adopted himself with energy and zeal to his appropriate work,
wh le his good judgement and his devotion to the interests of the College have
made him a valuable assistant in the general work of the Institution.
Professor Stubps says progress made by his classes has been satisfactory. He says
Messers Acree and Van Hoose deserve special commendation. They have beside the
regular laboratory work of the course in Science, given him material aid in the
analysis of commercial fertilizers, ores and feed stuffs. He recommends them as
eminently qualified for professional chemists.
The failure upon the part of the state to provide any means of analyzing commer~
cial fertilizers resulted in 30 different brands being analyzed in the College
laboratory.
;:
These, it will be seen by the report of .Professor StubbS, vary greatly in their
constituent elements and their value though tpey are sold to the farmers of the
state at practically the same price.
The suggestion of .Professor Stubbs in regard to the facilities necessary to give
. proper instruction in the course in Mining Engineering is commended to the attention
of the Board. This course of instruction must prove value to the young men
of the Stat~ and if means could be provided to accomplish the end of which he
speaks, it would be of great benefit not only to the Gollege ' but to the mining
and manufacturing interests of the State.
It may b~ that the iro~ works of the state would aid the college in securing these
facilities which could be made to promote their interests as well as those of the
College.
In my own department the classes have. made excellent progress. Special mention
should be made of the first class in Political Economy. During th~whole of the
time devoted to that study, they seemed to regard the hour of recitation as con-
. ferring a privilege rather than imposing a duty. The examination showed that
they had mastered the subject in which they had taken so much interest.
Their essays on "Production" were none of them graded below 95 on the scale of 100
and the differences were rather in style and composition than in any. failure to
grasp and elucidate any part of the subject.
I have never taught a class with greater pleasure.
f 97
It thu_s appears that so far as .instruction is concerned, we have never had a more
successful year. If othe~ interests of the College had been equally prosperous,
our session would have terminated with brighter prospects for the Institution, than
those of any previous years of its history.
The Faculty recommend that the Board confer upon:
W. N. Acree ) Bachelor of Science
E. J. Van Hose )
J. M .• Langhorne )
J. H. Jeter ) Bachelor of Agriculture
'J. G. Jones )
J. Callaway )
W. H. Lamar )
c. N. Owsley )
B. B. Ross )
W. H. Simmons )
O. H. Crittenden)
A. J. Mitchell )
,)
Bachelor of Arts
\Ii • . D. Tyler . ) Bachelor of Engineering
J., D. Tramwell )
J. T~ Letcher )
W. M. Boswell ) Bachelor of Arts
.. . .j
It is perh~ps an appropriate time to call the attention of the Board to some · cbnsiderations
whicb :velate ,to the general educational int~rests of the State. Though
not specially charged with them it is manifest that- the interest of' the College
is vitally connected with them; and that we can never make it what it might be
made if the cause of general education should languish.
~1hile these suggestions are not designed to invite any immediate action upon the
part of the Board, they may ' be made the basis for such plans as will 'serve to
direct the future efforts of those who may interest themselves in the progress 0i
education in Alabruna.
No state has so promising 'a future as our own, but whether this promise shall be
realized in the years that are at hand or be postponed to later generations will
depend upon the progress of proper education among the masses of our population and
upon our own people. The education we need is that which will quicken the energies
of our peoplein ~ those pursuits, .it will develope our state most rapidly into
its coming greatness. Manifestly that greatness is to be chiefly in the .outgrowth
of its material interests. Her coal and iron, her facilities ·for ~nufacturing
and the abundance of her raw material all point to this as the road .to . prosperity
and power.
To the formation of these interests her educational system ought to be especially
directed. While progreSs in other important departments ought not to be neglected
the purpose ·to promote her -material development ought to be the dominant idea of
her educational system.
y 98
" I
The educational system of .any state ought to be a unity. From its public school
to its highest department of its crowning institutions, it should stand together
as a consistent, harmonious whole.
This applies with peculiar force to our own state where local and sectional
influences have so long and so deeply directed our people, that our' state has
been a unit in nothing except territory. No measure would tend more strongly
to break down these divisions and cultivate unity of ~ee1ing and purpose- among all
classes of our citizens than such a system of education. The antagon~sms of Institutions
of learning is one of the worst evils that can befall a people. The experience
of the past has demonstrated that no work of man is so imper~shab1e as
institutions of higher learning. They survive the copse of entering th~ overthrow
of dynasties, the dissolution of empires. TIley emerge unharmed from the, floods of
revolutions that rollover kingdoms and th ., (~r gh the flames of civil war envelope
a nation or a continent, they come forth from the tying ordeal with scarcely the
smell of fire upon their garments. Like Hilton's angel, vital in every part they
"can only by annihilation diell • Such institutions pertaining to the same state,
and moulding the habits and thoughts and destiny of the same people ought to be
united in thier aims and work in harmony with one purpose and p;Lan that per vades
them all.
Suppose t wo institutions of higher learning belonging to the same state and exerting
t heir deathless influence upon the p1astiminds of her noblest youth, - should
become permanently alienated from each other, should become centers where bitter
animousities are engendered and undying prejudices against each other, poison the
mind of all who come within their walls, what unhappy generation will carry such
antagonism into every place high or l ow into the whole political organism. It
will alienate your representatives in the Legislature, your judges upon the
. bench, your executive officials. Every interest of society will be drawn into
the conf1i~t unti11 the very plow boys in your fields will wear th'e rl3ad or white '
rose of party and become the propagators of the baleful strife • . Such a struggle
could weaken every element of a peoples strength, diminish every influence for
good and minister to vice aod crime in every form.
No state unless it be blind to causes that work its death of the interests it
holds in charge can allow such antagonisms long to exist.
But a system of education which will hannonize and unify all its institutions will
multiply their power and quadruple their influence for good. There seems to me
now to exist an opportunity to embrace such a system which time and increasing
prosperity may develop into such an one as finds no parallel in <my -state in this
Union or in any nation of the Earth.
In organizing such a system we must remember , .that we are bUilding not for A1avama
as she is, but for Alabama as she will be and of what I may su.ggest shall seem to
some to be visionary, let it be remembered that when we stand in the opening gates
of the coming century, that · our state will have within her borders not less than
2~ perhaps 3 millions of people. Passing by the common schools which must be the
foundation on which the whole system rests, I propose that Alabama shall have as
part of her educational system eight colleges, one for each Congressional District
and that above these colleges, whe shall have . schools of higher learning, .which
shall constitute her University. The Departments of this University might if
deemed best, be located at different points in the State.
-A 99
This University and these colleges and the high sChools of cities and those located
at other points together with her common schools, to constitute the educational
system of Alaba."Ila • . The curriculum of these coll eges should b.egin where the training
of the common schools ceased, and the instruction in her University commence
where that of the colleges end. In these eight colleges, the course of study should
be broad rather than high. It should terminate with the sophomore class of our
highest institutions, but it should be so broadened as to embrace many branches of
learning not.. now found in the usual college curriculum. In it all those sciences
which relate directly to human progress, to the preservation of human life and to
the well-being of society should find a place. This could give a better education
certainly a more practical one, than that now received by a majority of our College
graduates.
Every one of these colleges should be a normal school, where teachers for the common
schools should be trained and from them the chief supply of teachers for those
schools should come.
They should be centers· to which all the teachers of their district should look for
light and aid.
An Institute embracing all the teachers of that district should be held at the College
once each year when methods of instructio~new textbooks, improvements of
evepy kind shall be brought to the attention of all, and their profession be thus
encouraged and facilitated.
These colleges should be connected organically with the common. schools below and
the University above them •
. The Trustees of the Universities from that district should be the President of its
Board and the Presidents of the faculties should be elected by the Board of Trustees
of the University. Tpis University should be one in fact and not in name. No
student who had not accomplished the college course should be allowed to enter it.
Its curriculum should begin with the Junior class of our pr,esent colleges and cover
a time of not less than three years, with opportunity for post graduate studies.
It should have the following departments:
1st a Department of Law
2nd a Department of Medicin~, which III addition to the instruction furnished
by medical colleges, should be charged with all matters that relate to
the preservation of health and the prolongation of human life.
The day will speedi~y come when State authority must r egulate the labor
of operations in our factories and look to the welfare' of those who work
in our mines and her men ~killed in medical science and familiar with the
laws., of health must furnish our legislators that lmow1edge which must be
the basis of wise and benefic~nt legislation. The chief officer of this
department of your University ought to be . President of the State Board of
.health and he and his compeers ought to stand over our State like guardian
angels to word off pestilence that walketh in darlmess and the destruction
that ~asteth at noon day.
3rd TIlere should be a Department of Agriculture and Horticulture to which
should be committed all matters of public J_interest which usually devolve
upon the Commissioner of Agriculture.
j,' lOO
There should be in connection with it a model farm, an experimental station
and it should be the center where citizens and strangers would seek all
information, relating to the Agriculture of the State • .
4th There should be.a department of Chemistry .whereanalysis of all substances
org~icandinorganic should be made for the benefit alike for the farmer
or the manufacturer; where your fertilizers should be· analysed and where
the chemical work £or your geological surveys should be made.
There should be a department of Geology to which should be committed a
thorough survey of the State and whose chief should be half the time in
the field of exploration with corps formed of the graduates of the Uni~
vers:tty.
There should. be a department of Natural History of which Botany, Entomd~ogy
and Zoology should be leading parts. This department. should be charged
with all matters that pertain to animal life--diseases of stock, depredations
of insects, the determination of ' the mostd 'avonabil..e conditions
for the growth of wool and the productions of mile and butter and beef,
the introduction of new and valuable products in vegetables, the supply
of our rivers with the best fishes for food. The determination of the
soils and districts of country most favorable to the production of tobacco
of finest quality, of tea', of grapes for the table and for wine.
No spot has been found East of the Rocky Mountaines where the European
grape can be grown successfully. Could this be done anywhere within
our limits, the lands which would produce them would be worth a thousand
dollars per acre.
The development of our scuppernong into new varieties into which it easily
bFeaks tinder the skillful hand--varieties which should possess different
, qualities would be noble work for such a department. This grape has in it
numerous possibilities. There is no reason who some of its varieties
yet to be developed should not rival in the excellency of its wine the
.most famed vinyards of Europe,. while others may be made to equal 'in the
size and weight which the spies bore t o the desert camp of Israel from the
Land of Promise. .
There will also be needed a department of Engineering with its three
divisions: civil, mining, and mechanical. A thorough toppgraphical survey
of .the State woul d furnish such information as would invite capital to
new enterprizes and show how to avoid those errors and difficulties
with which our rail road enterprizes have contended in the past~ This
should be the work of your Civil Engineering. The day is not distant
when irrigation must become a common practice in our Agriculture. Tne
planning works for an extension system, this survey could prove invaluable.
Your mining engineering could find scope for its amplest means and facilities
in determining the creation, extent, quality and quantity of your
views of coal and iron, your deposits of gold and other precious metals
and in furnishing suggested informations to those who work there. Such
is the amplitude of this field in our State, that all the efforts of such
a University could never keep pace with · the growing demand.
Your ·Mechanical Engineering Department should survey your rivers and their
tributary streams, ascertain the power that can be utilized for manufacturing
should promote the progress of echanic Arts i n every form and aid
our people in keeping pace with the worlds inventions ~~ An experienced
A 101
cotton manufacture ~ made the remark recently t hat a man could not now afford to
accept as a gift ang. run a cotton factory filled with the best machinery to be
found fifteen years ago . What was first class machinery then ' worth its thousands
now regarded :asold iron. ,In a state devoted so largely as ours will be to manufacturing,
some competent authority, ,to aid in keeping pace with improvement in
this .department of htmilln industry will be worth more to the State than the whole
cost of the Uni versi ty • -, '.
I cannot lengthen this report by enlarging on other departments, that would fo~
component parts of such an Institution- - they readily suggf?st themselves to you.
As man does not live by bread alone but enjoys an intellectual as well as physical
life, the're would be a department purely Literary in which Ancient and Modern
languages, mental and moral sc i ence, philosophy in its various forms, p~re mathematics
should be taught which should embrace everything in its search after new
.realms of t ruth, must be found withj,n such ,a University., Th~n indeed it would
prove an ,honor and a blessing to our State al1d be a ,worthy expression of the
liberal and progressive ide~s of a great and free pe9ple.
Can we have it? Is it allowable? Is the question per chance some of you have
already decided in the negative? To this question I reply that such a 'system of
educatiqn for Alabama is possible with the united and Iierservering efforts of this
Board and the Faculty of the College, it is probable, with the assistance of the
cultivated men of our State it is certain.
Such a system must be a growth and time is an essential element in its ptoduetion.
We should not expect its complete development made this side of twenty years, but
we caq star t it in two years from the present day and have all its parts in being
in five years from this hour.
The means ,to start this system can be, ought to be and if we work as I hope we will,
will certainly be provided at the next session of our Legislature •
.
If this Board should renew its applicat i on to the next General Assembly for a law
regulating the sale of commercial fer.t~lizers with some modifications ' that body will
pass it as did the last Assembly and we need fear no executive veto.
Let that Bili provide that 8/10 of the entire incom~ f~0m the sale of commercial
fertilizer shall be devoted to the 'annual suppor.t of the colleg~s to be established
in each Gongressional District and that the other ,2/10 shall ,be g;iv,~n to this college
in consideration of the expense and labor of operating the law. This Bill
past and the sy'stem is ina~gurated. The foundation will be laid .aad the bringing
forth of the capstone with the shouting and glad acclaim of its, friends will only
be a question of time. At fifty cents per ton this ta~ would yield each of these
colleges perhaps five thousand dollars. To this sum in consequence of their being
normal schools, the Stat'e could probably appropriate $2500 more. ,This amount
would with tUition fees pun;ish a good sup'port for such institutions. As to buildings
th'e locality where they were placed wiJ,l cheerfully furnish them.,
The two tenths received by the College relieve its nece,saities and place it where'
it could wait for increase of funds.
The Congress will at an early day pass an Act for the benefit of schools 'is awa
the most certain things of the future. Lasy. sessi.on the Senate pa,ssed a Bill
~der which had it become a law, our_College wohld have reCeived an annual income
of $30,000. The provision made for us in the future .will not 'probably be
less. In any event with our courses restricted to the higher studies of the
various departments we could with our present income do a work which would be
invaluable.
, 102
The question may be asked what of the University at Tuscaloosa. I would not
i gnore or antagonize that institution 'if possible to avoid it. The right to have
a fair opportunity in connection with such a system and if it should r esult in so
d~viding the work of higher education jn the State, between that inst itution and
our own as make them harmonize in these. efforts or what might be if the ,funds of
the two could be united in one institution devoted exclusively to higher education
and to be no longer frittered away in work which ought to be done by other
schools, we would have t he f i nancial basis of such an inst itution as would develope
into the magnificent proportions such a school must attain to meet the
future needs of Alabama.
I have thus set before you some of my thoughts with reference to this subject. They
may be deemed chimerical and may not for any practical result command your
attention.
They may be deemed as some have received them, grand but impossible to accomplish.
If they embody what oueht to be done, I trust no one will be so faint hearted as
to decline action upon these. Next to God, our country demands our highest and
noblest efforts .
Gathering inspiration and courage from the dark and bloody past as well as dawning
brightness from the future, let us do our utmost for our State and people. '
The worst we can do is to fail and failure in such a cause is only a little less
honorable than to succeed. If we fail we will be enabled to benefit our country
,and kind. If we fail the very fragments of our work will bear our names along
the current of coming year s and proud hands of future generations will gather the
debris into an enduring monument for those who worked unavailingly for them.
Fro~a boy I have sympathized even to tears with the utterance of the Irish patriot
as he stood condemned at the tribunal whose ,sentence cut short his life. That
his grave should remain without a monument until other men in other times could
do justice to his actions and memory .
These thrilling words have incited in my heart an.,fundying hope and unextinguishable
desire to see Ireland take her ' place among the nations of the Earth and to
behold the genius of freedom enthroned upon his moss grown tombstone. The epitaph
of the immortal Emmet. And if like him failing in our purpose we should have
to wait the verdict of history for our r~ard it will surely come and be but
'fuller and richer for the delay. ' '
But in this work, lf we take hold of it l ike men we shall not fail. These is
power i n a grand conception to attract friends and to command the confidence and
energies of men of culture.
The grandeur of a noble philanthropic purpose makes timid and faltering the cold
hearted selfishness that would oppose it. The grand o'utline of a noble plan as
i t leans against the shadows of the coming future gilded by the first beams of
its own rising glory inspires with reverence and awe the masses of men and wins
their sympathy and support.
The new Sout h is rapidly coming forward. If our hands shall build these noble
i nstitutions that are to mould this nascent civilization and shape its rising
power and glory. , If our counsels shall plan the future destiny of our State and
exalt her to the highest place among the ' sisterhood of commonwealths which constitute
the grandest domain upon the globe, then when the hour shall ,come. that each "
--- ---- -- -- -----. - ---
jt. I03
must take his place in the silent halls ofaeath we may go to our slumber in the
day as one who wrps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant
dreams.
'.
I. T. Tichenor
President
A & M ~ollege of Alabama
,. 104
Reports of Professors to the PresiLdent of the College
Report by Professor Dunklin
Doctor I. T. Tichenor:
Auburn, Alabama
June 14, 1881
Department of Ancient Languages
Latin and Greek
A & M College
I submit the following as my report for the year just closing.
Summary: Latin Course
Freek Course
46
30
In the first class Joseph Callaway, William H. Lamar, C. N. Ousley, B. B. Ross
and W. H. Simmons have completed the full course of Latin and Greek prescribed
in the catalogue and passed and r ecommended for graduation in the Course of
Latin and Greek. W. D. Taylor having completed the entire Latin course sat isfactorily
is entitled to a certificate in testimony of the fact.
I deem it unnecessary to make any special statement in reference to the other
classes, except that they have made good progress and have accomplished the
amount of work prescribed for them.
By an inspection of the catalogue you will find that the amount of class work is
beyond the time at my disposal. As the course of Latin and Greek, runs through
all the college classes as a double course, the work is too much for a single
instructor even if he should be engaged every hour in the college day. Heretofore
I have had some help in accomplishing this work by detail from other departments.
Under the circumstances I have ever felt a delicacy in superintending the instruction
thus given. Besides even if I had sought and desired to supervise the teaching
so as to make it uniform throughout all the classes, I found myself so occupied
with work, that I never had a spare hour to spend in this way. I desire
to ask through you of the Board the appointment of an instructor for this specific
work whose term in whole or in part I can control and direct. In making
this request I do not wish to be understood as making any complaint; not at all.
The assistance heretofore rendered has been very kindly given, though the persons
giving might not feel that it wan in their line of work.
If the college were in a financial condition to act in the matter, I would suggest
the appropriation of a small amount out of the money to be expended in
maps and books of reference used in instruction. These are very much needed.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. T. Dunklin
Professor of Latin and Greek
Report of Commandant
Reverend I. T. Tichenor, D. D.
President
Sir:
A & M College of Alabama
June 8, 1881
it 105
I desire t o submit through you to the Board of ·Trustees some suggestions which in
my opinion should be made for t he good of the corps of cadets.
I have found it difficult to have the contract for cadet uniforms and hats executed
as satisfactorily as I desire. ~ubu rn is a small town depending for its trade
mostly on students. The contractors find it difficult tQ retain a tailor and if
capable he is frequently of intemperate habits. The hats furnished are not of the
quality which the price should secure. The cloth and trimmings have been of good
quality and satisfactory. But in view of the difficulties in manufacturihg in ·
Auburn, I re'commend that the Commandant be authorized to contract with local a- ' /
gents of two responsible manufacturing firms to deliver uniforms and hats and supply
necessary insi gnia at the present prices. .
The Commandant has had the unnecessary labor of auditing accounts of the contractor.
I t is necessary that young and inexperienced cadets be protected. But this can be
accomplished by the cadet filing a t icket of articles purchased with the price, imposing
no other duty on Commandant except inspection of quality and workmanshi p.
The arms of the cadets have been well preserved . 237 guns have been received. In
nine years service four (4) guns- have been lost or r endered entirely unser vicabl e .
I recommend t hat aut horit y be granted the Commandant to char ge and collect from
cadets t he actual damage and loss of arms at t he prices charged by t he United Stat es
ordinance department, and such fines to be collected by an officer to be styl ed
Ordinance Sergeant. Thi s sum to be r et ained under commandants direction in
Sergeant 1s hands for repairs of arms no additional expense. will be incurred thereby
.
I take pleasure in stati ng the drill i ng and soldierly bear ing of the corps is
all t hat could be expected or desir ed.
Each cadet captain is requir ed to dril l t he battalion and aft~r the first four
years the labor of dr illing has been light upon the Commandant. Each cadet after
entering the third class is :f ully instructed in the text and drill of the author
ized books of tactics.
Respectfully submitted,
R. A • Hardaway, Commandant
.r 106
I
The Faculty have adopted the following report submitted for your consideration.
Reverend I. T. Tichenor, D. D.
President
Auburn, Alabama
June 4, 1881
The undersigned appointed a committee to suggest suitable action in the matter
of the injurious effect s of secret organizations connected with this College,
respectfully state that the standard of 'duty has been sensibly lowered by member
s of the secret societies failing to discharge impartial ly the duties imposed
upon them in matters of discipline. IIBarbarians" those not members COlU-
' plain that partiallity is shown to their injustice. The power of or'ganization
is used against the authority of the College; all the 'more effectively because
secret in its operations.
We appreciate the magnitude of the difficulty in attempting the suppression o'f
such bodies. We know t hat such societies do exist cland$tinely even after they
are not recognized. ' But we beliew.8 that the good of the College, requires that
all recognition should be withdrawn from secret societies and their existence
f orbidden by the Board of Trustees.
We also recommend that the u'se of the College building hereafter be not granted
for the 'purpose o.f holding balls or banquets at Commencement or at any other
time.
Respectfully subrnitted,
R. A. Hardaway
W. c. stubbs
Report of Department 'of Pure Iv1athematics
-Reverend I. T. Tichenor, D. D.
President , A & }II College
Dear Sir:
I submit the following report of the Department of Pure Hathematics for the year
ending June 29, 1881.
The third and fourth classes are each divided into sedt±ons and pursue the sarne
subject in each section. The cadet s in the course in Agriculture in the second
class take no l1athematics except the course in Mechanics . " ~ Tpe cadets in the
course in Literature are not required to take Calculus. The cadets in the courses
of Agriculture and Literature in the first class are not required t o take the
Mathematics of the first claas.
The following table shows the class work:
Class Term Subject No. Students No. Recitations Total number Recitations
I 1st Calculus 7 52
I 2nd Spher. Trigonometry 7 18 70
II 1st Mechanics 23 41
II 2nd . An. Geometry 18 51
II 2nd Calculus 9 54 146
III 1st Geo. & Mensuration . 30 52
III 2nd Plane & Sph. Trig. 27 54 ~~212
IV 1st Advanced Algebra 42 98
IV 2nd Geometry 6 books 44 78 ~<J52
780
.,!-Total for both sections •
The new arrangement of studies in this department by which Plane Trigonometry follows
immediately after Plane Geometry and Spherical Trigonometry after Geometry of
Space has been subjected toa practical test with encouraging results. The transfer
of which has been made for the next year of the Mechanics t o the Department of
Physics will reduce the number of recitations in my department to 22 a week and
will enable me easily to instruct it without assistance.
lihile there has been some diminution in the number of cadets, the number in my
. department is but 12 less than last year as the following comparison will show:
1st Class
2nd Class
3rd Class
4th Class
Total
Decrease 12
No. of Cadets
1879-80
9
18
56
--1±2.
128
in lV'.:athematics
1880-81 ·
7
23
33
li~
This statement shows the falling off has been principally in the PreparatoI"'l.f De_ o
partment and in the Special courses.
The several classes have made comraendable progress , and have accomplished more work
in nearly every subject than classes im previous years.
The first class completed the appl i cation of calculus to mechanics some 30 pages
more work than any previous 1st class has accomplished. The Fourth Class has
completed two more books in Geometry. The attendance has been regular and de��portment
in class room good.
Very respectfully,
o. D. Smith
Professor of }~thematics
1' 108
Report of Department of English
Reverend I. T. Tichenor, D. D.
President of A & H College
Dear Sir:
I submit the following report of work in the Department of English .during the current
year.
The 3rd and 4th classes have been instructed in Elocution . and Composition. The
4th class has complet ed the study of Bloss' Ancient History and Whitney's Essentials
of English Grammar.
I have also taught the 4th class in Latin and Section A in Greek.
The following tabl e is a brief exhibit of the wor k:
Class Term . . Subjec~ No. Cadets Recitations Total
I I I 1 & 2 Elocution Declamation 34 300
" \I Compositions Corrected 300 600
IV \I Elocution ( D ecl~~tion) 63 520
" \I Compositions Corrected 540
" " Recitations 20 1,080
" " Anci ent Hi story 46 108 144
" " English Gr ammar 63 72 72
" " Latin Prose Composition 17 36
II " Cicero and Virgil 17 108 144
Sec. A " Greek 8 90 90
II Original Orat ions 9 24 24
I 5 15 15
2,133
Class exercises have been good and deportment cOIIlmendable. I find a great lack of
knowledge of the fundamental principals of our language in many students , who have
not been instructed i n our Preparatory Department, and lmave endeavored to correct
t his fault by making t he recitat i ons in Hi story a lesson in spelling, definition
of words, etc.
I recommend that the higher .classes in all the courses be required to perform the
same lit e J~ary work as students taking the regular literary ·course. They need the
drill to give them sufficient knowledge and use of our language to meet the ordinary
demand of any profe s si on.
Respectfully .submitted,
G. W. Maxson, Professor of English
Rever~nd I. T. Tichenor,~D
President of A ~ M Cpllege
Auburn, Al?bama
Sir:
A 109
I have taught during the scholastic year just closing the 1st c;Lass in Astronomy
(3 times a week) , 1st class in Agricultural Chemistry (2 times a week), 1st class
in Science (work and recitations 10 a week), 2nd class in Analytical Chemistry
(work and recitations 10 hours a week), 3rd class in General Chemistry (5 hours
a week) and 3rd class German (5 hours a week).
Progress made by these classes has been satisfacto;ry.
I1essers W. Vi . Acree and E. 1. Van Hoose of first class in Science deserve my
special commendation. Besides regular lab9r along work of the course, ,they have
given me material aid in analyses of commepcial fertilizers over all. geed stuffs.
They are eminently qualified for professiopal chemistry, but the demand for such
is so limited that I fear they will find wprk in other \\ialks of life.
After the defeat of our fertilizer bill by the last Legislature, a plan was adopted
by which partial protection would be furni~hed by the College to the farmer in the
use of commercial fertilizer s.
Col. Chambers , Professor of Agriculture,wa~selected to write to leading farmers
of the state and request from them s~~ples of var ious fertilizers sold in their
vicinities and farward the same to him by express,. These were taken, labels removed
and numbers substituted and thus numbered were analysed. This work was undertaken
tpo late ot obtain all the fertilizers sold analysed and results passed to
Col. Chambers for tabulation and publication.
I enclosed a copy of results obtained. If the financial condition of the College
would justify such ,action, I can conceive of no more effective aid to the agricult1;
lre of the State than by analysing every fall ' and winter the various ' brands of
fertilizers in Alabama and publishing results in pamphlet form, to be gratuitously
distributed early in the Spring for . gu~dance of farmers in buying their supply for
f or the year. '
From best sources our information is that at least 50,000 tons of cOmIT,ercial fer��tilizers
are sold the present year under at least 50 different brands.
When we reIT~ber that all the Atlantic States have by legislation given protection
in some form to their planters and that Alabama alone of all the States using largely
commercial fert ilizers is without protection, we can readily imagine what an inviting
field she offers to the manufacturers and vendors of spurious wares. That such an
inviting has been and will -be occupied, only chemical analyses can determine. The
knowledge of the existence of such a determination on the part of this College
would deter many dealers from selling low grade goods and would make even honest
ones more careful in manipulating their wares in order t o insure uniform chelnical
analyses. In this way thousands of dollars might be annually saved to the farmers
of our State and great good be done to the eause of, general agriculture.
I have in addition to above analyses made a great many for the citizens of the State.
These analyses consisting of Commercial Fertilizers, ores, waters ard' f eed stuffs.
- - ---- --------- - - - --
-r 110
Recently a course of minimg engineering has been introduced into our· College. In
the course I am assigned, besides the regular analytical work, assa y,ing of ores. · '
To ,do,'a.:hl, the ' latter properly, a furnace with complete outfit is needed. The capacity
of such a furnace should be sufficient to use at least 100 pounds of crude
ore to be experimented with and the cost will not be less than $1500. Whether
such an amount can be raised for this purpose is a question lert to you and the
Board for decision.
At the last session of the Board a laboratory fee of $10 was' imposed upon each
worker in the laboratory to meet in part the cost of chemicals consQmed. Of the
nine young men who worked i n laboratory this year, two were excused by and with
your consent from pa~nent of their fees, they having already worked one year bef
ore t he imposition of this fee. I hand 'below statement of receipts from my ' -
Department:
7 fees collected
Amount Dr. J ackson's alcohol
Collected for broken ware
Credit s
By cash for coal
Matches
Paid Treasurer
$70.00
1.00
5.50
$76; 50
1.25
.40
~
$78:15, .!
The a ppropriation of $100 to my department has been expended, besides, $72 was expended
by your order -in purchase of chemicals for analysis of commercial fertilizers.
This has been the entire a~ount expended by my Department during past year. A bill
made in April, 1880 was carried over from last year and appears in Treasurer's· report
of this year.
I ask your continurat1on' of $100 appr opriatioh for ensuing year, believing this
to be sufficient to meet current expenses all of which is r espectfully submitted.
w ~ C. Stubbs
Professor of Chemistry
- -- - ---- - - - --- --- --- - - - , - - -- - ---~- - - - ---- ----
Reduced Insoluble f 111 '
Salphos acid Phose acid Phose acid Ammonia -Pot-as-h Name of Brand No. ' A 1 7.65 22 .74 2.02 2.31 Farmers FI'tiend
" B 2 5.19 1.44- 2.05 2.24 1.61 Dr. Leon's Complete
Fertilizer
II C 3 5.49 2.95 1.69 2.41 1.31 vfuan's Plow Brand
" D 4 3.03 3.02 . 1.16 4.53 1.27 ~~-Russell Goes Super-phosphate
" E 5 6.69 .40 1.80 2.90 1.04 Soluble Pacific
" F 6 4.98 1.32 1.30 2.76 1.47 Inman's Imperial
" G 7 7.50 1.50 3.03 3.20 Ga. State Grange
II H 8 + II I 9 10.34 .38 1.65 3.20 Herrimer s Am Dis. Bone
II J 10 9.76 4.54 .62 Etiwan Dis. Bone
II K 11 5.16 4.21 2.06 1.77 , 2.08 Alta
" L 12 6.63 6.69 .21 2 .26 1.64 ' South Carolina Fertilizer
II M 13 15.89 2 .53 1.02 Cuban Bird
II N 14 7.88 2.47 1.71 1.86 1..78 National Am. Bone
" o 15 1.83 5.70 1.01 2.26 1-I.9h C~iro
II P 16 8.04 -~90 2~07 2 .43 1.77 Alkalin~ Phospha·te
" Q 17 6.96 2.49 2.66 2.61 1.20 Zel1s Am. Superphosphate
II R 18 4.32 4.68 1.60 2 .38 .74 Kings
II S 19 7.68 1.94 .40 2.77 . .64 Ro;y-al
" T 20 7.80 4·.54 .84 4.30 U77 0
II U 21' 3.12 6.97 ~.68 2.73 .64 Sea Gull
" V.22 4.20 4.68 1.80 2 .71 1:.62 South American
II \\f 23 3.29 1.41 5.20 3. 93 Standard Fertilizer
" X 24 10.89 14.70 Cotton Seed Hull Ashes
25)
26)
27)Analysis f or pr ivate parties) W. C. Stubbs , Professor of Chemi stry
28)
29)
~O)
~:-S ample improperly taken
OName t o be filed by Col. Chambers.
+Analysi s r ejected, samply f urnished by manufacturers.
--- - - ~. - - - _. - - - -
Doct or I. T. Tichenor
President
A & M College of Alabama
.Sir:
I herewith submit f or you~ consideration the third annual r eport ofmmy duties in
the Department of Natur al J1istory_.
The subjects unde~ . my special charge during the past year are as follows :
Natural History with the t hird and second cl~s es. Botany wi th the second class ;
unera1ogy, geology, zoology, ento~ology, met~ Dro1 ogy with the first class and a
class in telegraphy_
Tabular St 8.t.eIll,.~[lt of W.ork of Depart ment
No . Students Class Subjepl Term No recLtati~ Cours~ gen'l. Remarks
.
30 3rd Nat . Philosophy . 1st 36 General Text
22 2nd II II 1st 40 II Lectures
10 2nd Botany; . 2nd 36 II Text & Lec.
5 1st Mineralogy l;3t & 2nd 12 Scientific II II
Agri..
3 1st Zoology . 1st 5;2 II II II
3 1st Entom,ology . 2nd 52 II Lectur es
15 1st Geology 2nd 36 General Text & Lec.
15 1st heteor o1ogy 2nd 36 II Lectures
12 4th Telegraphy . 1st & 2nd 180 Optional Text & Le
115 540
In these var i ous subjects, there have been but slight changes made in the text
books and method of t eaching since my l ast r e ort. I have att empt ed to make the
course of instruction as near practical as possible; and as far as possible, my
effort has been to reach the mind t hr ough the eye , by experimental verificat ion
of the lawa and principals pre~ented_ The apparatus of t he department is however
so limited, this plan could only be partially adopted. I t is to be hoped the finances
of the College will permit the Board of Trustees to appropriate a suff ic i ent amount
of money to thoroughly equipe the various branches of t his Department. If it is
consistent with the present condition of the Institution I could respectfully suggest
that you solicit the Board attts next meeting to appropriate the sum of five
hundred dol l ars f or t he purchase of appl iances nOVf greatly needed.
Notwithstanding the deficinecy of apparatus I am grat ified t o state that t he students
\-lith one or two exceptions have exhibited at the close of the ses .·ion satisfactory
advancerrlent. Those young men pursueing the course in Science, Agriculture and Engineer
i ngdeserve special mention. The avidity with which they grasped the various questions
presented f or their consideration indicated a strong desire on their part to become
well conversant with the intricate problems of their chosen profession.
Three of the students in the course in Telegraphy graduat ed under me this ye~r and
they are f ul ly prepared to take charge of Telegraph offices.
1-i
-It 113
The Museum
The l-1useum has been considerable enlarged during the past year by .the addition
of many valuable speclinens through donations and exchanges. '
The large supply of fossils collected last year from the C,laiborp.e grO\lps of the
Tertiary formations in this State has been very profitably used for this purpose.
Collections have been sent t o many scientific individuals and corporations throughout
.the United States and numerous valuable, spe'cimens in all the branches of ::Natural
riistory have been received in exchange. , During \the year, I issued three circular's
from the Museum calling attention to these fossils and also other specimens I had
for exchang.e and the orders very soon became so frequent as to rende:t ' it almest
inipossible for me to supply the" demand without neglecting the other duties of my
Department.
Copies of these ' circulars with copies of two forms used for shipping accomp'any
this report.
I sent out during the year:
2,346
172
5
2,523
specimens of fossils
" /I minerals
zoological . specimens
for which I received in exchange
541 specimens of minerals
457 " 11 II
1,337 " II land and sea shells
23 zoological 05pecimens .
~ botanical specimens
2,778
There have been added by donation the following:
85
142
10
100
22
359
specimens of minerals
II "fossils
/I II land and sea shells
zoological specimens
miscellaneous specimens
, ,
The above gives a sum total of 3137 specimens that have been placed in the
Museum. ~3ince my last report. This amount added to what we had on hand makes
a collection of 17066 specimens.
As a source of interest I have made an est imate of the actual money value of the
above speclinens to wit: $3,137 taking as my basis the prices now asked for minerals ,
fossils, shells, etc. in the Philadelphia market. The result of this estimate is
as follows:
- -------------- - - - - ---- ------ --
14
$ 123.00
137.80
175.50
30.00
50.00
10.00
$ 526.40
for the l'linerals
for the Fossils
for the Shells
for the Zoological
for the Botanical
for the Miscellaneous
The cost to the College for gathering this material has been less than $25.00.
The freight on boxes being the only expensE:.
The one hundred dollars approRriated last year by the Board of Trustees has been
used for this purpose and also filling up a telegraph office and supplying it with
the improved set of telegraph apparatus.
There is sad need of storage room in the Museum. The specimens are so much crowded
they made but a poor dispaly and in some instances on thie account, the' troublej
of referring to particluar specL~ens is rendered very great .
Glass cases properly constructed are mush needed to protect the most valuable
collections from dust and the frequent handling that they now receive by; visitors.
Glass jars for preserving in alcohol the Zoological specimens and boxes for ' properly
displaying the entomological collection have become necessities ~ • .
I embrace this opportunity of thanking you for many kind favors and courtesies in
the past.
I remain, Sir, yours very respectfully,
P. H. Mell, Jr •
. '.
, I
_.- - --_.
Report of the Preparatory Department
A & 1-1 College
To Doctor I. T. Tichenor
President
A & M College of Alabama
Dear Sir.:
Auburn, Alabama
I respectfully submit the f ollowing report of my department:
No .. Recitations
Section Subject . No. Students Per Week
1st
lst2
2nd -I
1st 2
2nd 2
2nd 1
1st 1
1st 2
2nd 2
2nd 2
2nd 2
2nd 1
1st- 1
1st 1
1st 2
2nd
Latin, Caesar, Sallust 12
Latin Allen IS 1·1ethod 21
Word Analysis Suint on 14
Word Book Suint on 23
English Grarrunar Hart 21
" "" 20
History -of England,Anderson75
" "United States 20
Reader Goodrich 6th 19
Geography Cornells 18
Arithmetic Robinson 22
" " 23
Algebra 34
Penmanship 5
" 5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
-1 115
No. Recitations
j3er Year
190
190
190
133
190
133
57
57
95
190
190
190
196
152
I have counted 38 weeks for recitations, omitting two for examinations and Commencement.
It is necessary to state that a goodly number of students in the two Latin classes
and t he Algebra class are from the collegiat e department. Compositi on and Declamat
i on are t aught, t he classes reciting once a week.
Respectfully submitted,
o. C. NcGehee
In consequence of illness, Col. W. H. Chamber s, Pr of essor of A8r i culture, made no
report.
He died a few days aft er Commencement , a loss to the communi ty, to t he College,
and the State.
-- - ----- --- --
,l>:; 116
;
Opelika, Alab~
September 19, 1881
At a called meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of 'l'rustees of the
Agricultural and Hechanlical College of Alabama, held in Opelika~ on the. 19th, day '
of September 1881. Thene were present Messers Barnes, Chairman, and Armstrong,
and Ligon being absent on account of illness.
The reSignation of R. A. Hardaway haveing been tendered by him through Mr :. Barlfles,
Chairman of the Committee, the same was accepted.
After a free conference with LT .• Tichenor, President of the Col l ege, for the
ensuing year, and others .of the Faculty, it ~as . RESOLVED, That E. R ~. Rivers be
assigned to the pos i tion of Commandant for the ensuing year with a salary of
eleven hundred dol l ars . ,.,
"
That the Faculty are empovlered t o assign Nessel'S Thach and Rivers such duties as
Instructors as they may deem proper.
RESCLV~, That in case of the f,ailure of either of these gentlemen to accept .the
positions t o which they are elected, that the Faculty are empowered to fill such ,
vacancy provided they shall give no greater sum to such appointee, and in case
the Faculty should deem it neces sary to employ additional a-id t hat they are hereby
empowered to do so , provided the salary paid t o such employee shall not exceed
six hundred dol J ars.
RESOLVED , ;That the sum of one hundred dollars be and the same is hereby appropriat~d
for incidental expenses of the College .
F. H. Reese
Secretary
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