| Summary: | Minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings held in 1886MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Auburn, Alabama
June 28, 1886
1
This bei ng the day designated for the regular annual meeting of the Board of Trustees
of the Alabama .Polytechnic I nstitute and Agricultural and Mechanical Colle me , beginning
the 28th day of June, A.D. , 1886. E. A. O'Neal, the Governor of the State, President
Ex-Officio of the Board being present took the chair. On call of the roll there were
present : E. A. O'Neal, Governor of Alabama; Sol Palmer, Superintendent of Education;
Messrs. Henry D. Clayton, James G. Gilohrist, John Haralson, C. C. Langdon, R. ~ . Ligon,
J . N. Malone, and M. L. Stansel. Absent:' Messrs. Wffi. H. Barnes and J. W. Bishop.
The report of the President of the College , W. L. Broun, was called for which he read
and submitted. Also, the reports of the faculty and officers of the colleme, a1.1 of
which were read and submitted.
On motion of Mr. Haralson , 'That the report of the President and other reports be laid
on the table .until the further order of the Board. Adopted.
The Treasurer's report was then called for, read, and submitted.
A written communication from Mr . T. H. Frazer was on motion referred to the Committee
on Finance.
On motion of Mr. Malon~ , That the report of the President and those of the Faculty
and ot her officers of the college be taken from the table and tre subject matter of
the different reports be referred to appropriate committees.
Mr. Langdon offered as a sub stitute for the motion of Mr. Malone, That a sp'ecial
commi t t ee be named to examine tm r eports now on .the table and ascertain to which of
t he standing committees the subj ect matter thereof shall be referred, which was
adopted.
The President named as the Special Committee under t h.e above, Messr s . Stansel, Malone,
ahd Palmer.
On motion of Mr. Langdon, Tha t the repo r t of the Treasurer be referred t o the Committee
on Finance and t hat . the committee report as early as possible to the Boa r d, the amount
of money now on hand and pr ospectively i n order . t o meet t he various appropriations
recommended . in. the several repor t s . The motion was ado pted.
On mot~on, Mr. Haralson was added t o the Committee on Finance.
The petitions of Mr. Pitts and Frazer were ref erred to the Committee on Claims, that ·
of . Mr. Frazer having been withdrawn from tre Committee on Finance.
The Board adj ourned until 4 o' clock p.m.
The Board me t at 4 o' clock and there were present : The Governor , E. A. O '~leal, SuP ' t .
of Education, Mr . Palmer, and Me ssr s . Clayton, Gilchrist, Haralson, Langdon, Ligon,
Malone and St ansel .
Ab sent: Me ssrs. Barnes and Bishop.
Mr. Stansel from t he special committee submit t ed t he following report, viz :
2
To the Board of Trustees:
Your special committ~e to whom was referred the President's reports and accompanying
papers for ' the purpose of distributing the various subject matters embraced therein
to the different standing committees beg leave to ,report that they have carefully
examined the report of the President and have, been ver,y much impressed with the wise ~
suggestions contained in it and deem, them worthy of your consideration, and that ,
they may receive the same your committee recoinrnend·ed. ~ ,." ) , ,'"
1st. That part of the , report of the Pr ,esident which r .efers to the Experimental
's-tatfon 'and the lJepartni.ent of Agriculture" 'togeth'er with the report' of the Professor
01: Agriculture be referred" to' the' committe'e on agrfculture. '" '
2nd. ' That pq.rt of the repo'rt which refers to the Department of Mechanic cArts, together
with the report of Professor Bryant be referred to the commit-cee on mechanic arts
when the same is created. .
3rd. That part of the report which refers to '\1he Department of Cheinistr,y" together
with the report of the professor of Chemistry be referred to the committee on finance .
4th. That which relates to the militari be referred to the committee on course of
study. '
.
5th. That which r elates to printing and telegraphy to the committee on course of study,
and to the same committee relating to post graduate student,S.
6th. That all portions of the President ' s report as well as thE;l different reports of
the professors, relating to the appropriation of money be referred to the committee on
finance .
I
All of which is respectfully submitted and the report of the committee was concurred L
in.
On. motion of Mr. Malone, Th~t a standing committee in mechanic arts be created which
haveihg been aaopted the President named as the committ ee Messrs Gilchrist , Ligon,
Clayton, Haralson and Langdon.
On motion of Mr. Clayton, . That the 'sum of ~2500) DWO thousand five hundred dollars,
balance of ,appropriation on hand be expended in meeting ,the Forge and Foundry Department
af the Agricultural and Mechanical College anq Pol ytechnic Institute of Alabama
in accordance with the recommendation of the President of the College . Adopted.
On motion of Mr. Palmer, That Mr. Gilchrist be added to the committee on claims.
Adopted.
By Mr. Gilchrist , ' Resolved that regular graduates of other institutions of learning
in this state which are by law authorized to grant diplomas and confer, degrees" may
after such graduation attend the exercises ana pursue any of the studies or arts
taught in this institution, upon the same tems and conditions now permitted to
. resident graduates of this colJrge, (concuIT~d in) .
By Governor O'Neal, That the honorary' degree of Ph. D. be and the same ' is hereby
conferred on Professor Willima C. Stubbs of the State of Louisiana . Adopted.
The Board of Trustees then ~nt into executive session.
3
Mr. Ligon, ohe of the -Board, reported to the secretary that. nothing. transpired in
executive session required to go on the minutes before the adj ournment of the Board.
. .
F. M~ Reese, Secretary
A.&M. OOLLEG,E & ALABAMA RJLYTECHIUG ' INSTITUTE
Auburn, Alabama - June 29~ 1886
The Board of Trustees met at 9 0 ' clock a. m. ani there were pre sen t : .The Governor
E. A. O'Neal , Superintendent of Education Solomon Palmer, and Messrs. Bishop, Clayton,
Gilchrist, Haralson , Langdon, Ligon, Malone, and Stansel. Absent: Mr. Barnes.
On motion of Mr. Malone that Hon. H. Clay Armstrong be invited to take a seat with the
'Board; and by Mr. Clayton that a like courtesy be extended to Hon. 1!homas Levy ,who is
eXpected in Auburn. Adopted.
By Governor O' Neal, Resolved that the report of the Treasurer be returned to hd.m with
special instructions to recast his report and file with the same proper vouchers, duly
numbered ~or each item of e:xpenditure, and a statement of the receipts of 'the actual
amounts received by him as Treasurer; a~.d that this resolution be complied with without
delay.' -(concurred in).
.• .
The secretary was requested to read the report of the commandant; and on motion of Mr.
. Palmer so much thereof as doe s no t :r:ela te ·to pay be referred to the committee on the
course of study and that portion relating to p~ be referred to the .committee on
finance. Adopted.
On motion of .Mr .. Harals.on, that Governor G'NeaJ. be desigJU+ted as the member to -accept
on the part of the Board of Trustees the portrait executed and presented by Miss
Maude Broun to the college. Adop ted.
On motion of Mr. Palmer, that a committee of three be ~ed by~he ?resident to
prepa~e suitable memorial resolutions on the death of Professor John T. Dunklin late, .
a professor in this college. Adopted.
The Eoard then went into executive session.
Mr. Ligon -reported to the secretary the following proc eedings had in the session.
The committee on claims to which was referred the petition and claim of Mr. T. H.
Fraze~, beg leave to r eport adversely thereto. Concurred i~ .
The same committee report on the petition of Mr. S. C. Pitts, that he be paid the
sum of seventeen dollars ($17), the amount of his claim for balance in salary for
services rendered by him in mechanic arts depar~me~t. Concurred in.
The committee on claims to which was referred the elaim of Professor Wffi. C. Stubbs
recommended ' that he be paid the amo}lIlt of his claim for balance on salary from July
1, 1885, to September 20, 1885, being two months and 20 days, amounting to four hundred
dollars. ' (Concurred in}.
The Eoard adjourned until 4 o'clock p.m.
. .
The Foard met according to adjournment and there were present: The Governor of the
state, the Superintendent of Education, and Messrs. Bishop, ClaytoQ, Gilchrist,
Haralson, Langdon, Ligon, Malone, and Stansel. Absent: Mr. Barnes.
4
. .
Gn motion of' Mr. Mal~ne, that ·the chair of English and Latin be consolidated. ' Adopted.
t t' . • •
On motion of Mr. Stansel, that there be created an Adjut . professorship of modern
languages and history. ~dopted .
Hesolved, that the policy of 'the Board of Trustees , ' shall hereafter, be to employ
assistants in the lower classeS', graduai:es or undergraduates of this institution, which
position shall be tenable for only a year; and who shall prosecut,e some definite
line of studyo :
2nd.> The faculty are 1 'hereby authorized to appoint t wo assistants, each ·wi th a
compensation not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars $250).
3rd. The President is authorized to appoint an a sst stant in the physical laboratory
wi th a compensation not to exceed one hundred dollars arid a foreman in the printing
.off1,ce with a compensation not to exceed one hundred dollar s. (Concurred in}
Resolved, that 'in view of the 'decla'red poliey of the Board of Trustees," the po'sition
of in~tructor in the preparato~ ,department· is· nereby declared abolished, and the
'Board desire ,also to express their high appreo:iation and entire satisfaction with the
pre sent instructor T. H. Frazer, and do hereby recommend him as an effic:iBnt and
fait~ul teacher . Adopted.
That the s,ecretary be instructed to furnish Mr~ Frazer wi th a 'coPY. of the resolution.
(Concurred in)o
The election for professor of English and Latin being in order , and several persons
haVing been balloted for; the chair; on casting .up the ~te, Mr.' C~ C. Thach received
a majority of all the votes cast and' was declared duly elected to the professorship
of English and Latin.
On motion of Mr. Haralson, that the salary of 'Professor of tEngrish~nd Latin be
fixed at fifteen hui'ldred ($1500) per annum, ' paybie as the 'other salaries are.
Adopted.
On motion, the petition of Mr. Glenn was referred to the committee oh finance.
The ~ommittee on finance 'to which was referred the petition of Mr. Glenn, having
had the same unqer conside~a~ion, beg leave to report adversely thereto . Concurred in.
On motion of Mr. Ligon, that ' the following cadets, graduates at this session, of · the
college have ~he degrees conferred upon them as recommended by the President and the
faculty and named by the Pre~ident -in his report to the Board.
Gilmer Alexander ' Allison
Benjamin Sullivan Bur~n
Luther Mar tin Capps
Franklin Sanders Howell
Clifford Lewis Neuman : '
Augustus Archilous Persons
Ster ling Chambers Pitts
,B. SO.
u
"
"
" II
"
Charles Hunter Ross <B.Se.
Rabt. Jasper Hogue Simmons 'n
c,RobertBillups Smith ·n
. -Leckeniski Ware Sprattling II
Dudley Sanclers' Weaver "
Levi 'W"ashington Wilkerson "
Also, the postgraduate degree of master of Science was conferred upon Mr. Bo B.
Ross of Auburn, Alabamao
On motion of Mr. Ligon, the Boa~d adjourned · until tomorrow morning' at 9 o'clock.
F. !-1. Reese, Secretary
_I
Auburn, AJa bama
June 30, 1886
The Board met according to adjournment and there were present the Governor of the
state, Mr. ' Palmer - Supt. ot Education, and Messrs. Bishop, Gilchr ist, Haralson,
Kolb, Langdon, Ligon, Malone, and Stansel . Absent: Mr. Barnes. '
M~ . Clayton having resigned his seat as a member of the Board, and Mr. R. ' F. Kolb
of the county of Auburn, having been appointed to t he vacancey, . was presented to
the Board and took his seat as a member thereof.
By Mr. Stansel, whereas General Henry D. Clayton, a member of this Board, has been
transferred to another and wider field of usefulness.
1st. Re solved, that it is ~th ' feelings of r egret we contemplate the severing of
tactics that have so long associated us with General Clayton. ' .
2nd. That while we l ose the valuable services of General Clayton, we rejoice that
they are not lost to the state and commend him to the State University and its
friends, who will be the recipients of his valuable services in the future, trusting
that he may be appreciated there as he has been here: And t bat his connection with
the Universi~ may redeem to his individual happiness and the promotion of the still
greater prosperity of that i nstitute ' of which the people of Alabamaare so justly
proud.
3rd. Resolved further that a copy of these resolutions be furnished to General
Clayton and to the papers published in Montgomery, the Advertiser and Dispatch. The
res91ution was unanimously adopted • . MEMOllAL RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF DR. JOHN T. DUNKLIN
, (
By the committee . Resolved, that t.he Board of: Trustees of the A. & M. College and
Alabama Polytechnic Institute have heard with profound sorrow of the death of Dr.
John Thomas Dunklin, Professor of Latin Language and His tor'; , who <;ieparted this life
at his home i n Auburn on the 20th day of June, 1886 • .
,
Dr. Dunklin was a member of the Faculty of the Ealst Alabama Col lege from 1857 until
that institution ceased to exist, and the property was donated to t.he state; and he
has been connected with this institution from its organization until his death.
In all these years, by his schollarly attainments his efficiency and faithfulness,
purity of life and fidelity to duty, he has endeared himself to the trustees> faculty,
and students; and leaves our illustrious example of the virtues of a true manhood.
They deplore his loss to the institution to the community .and to the state; and we
tender to his bereaved family our deepest s.fmpathies in their inapparable loss.
It is, therefore, ordered that this expression Qf Qur ,sentiments be spread 'upon the
mil)utes of this Board as a memorial of the high esteem 'in which we hold Our departed
friend, and that a copy of the same be furni shed to the f amily and to the Montgomery
dailypape:r:s. '
The .resolution was unanimously 'adopted by a rising vote.
On motion sf Mro Haralson, that Mr. Kolb be placed on the committee (executive ) in
the place of Mr. Clayton ,and the committee consists now of Messrs. Barnes, Ligon,
and Kolb.
By Mr. Haralson, resolved that the President of the CoIege be and he is hereby appointed
to prepare a paper for publication by the 1st of November next, setting forth in as
6
concise manner -as practicable, the operations of the A & M. departments and experimental
station of this college, and also giving in detail an account of the receipts and disbursements
of the several deparments of the several departments, the object being that
such hopes shall furnish the p:e€>ple as full: information as practicable in reference
to this institution. That·the several professors are , instructed to furnish the
pre~ldent when required reports from their several departments containing full
informatian for the preparation of' this paper: And that said paper be first su1c>mitted
to the Exec. Committee for their approval before publication. (Concurred in) .
By Mr. Haralson, Re solved that C. C. Langdon, R. F. Ligon, and R. F. Kolb be appointed
a committ ee from thi s Board to make knOlID to the Legislature the needs of this institution
in its agricultural an<i mechanical departments' to make it a Polytemnic
Institute, meeting the design of the Board, and necessities of pubiic education and
that they , petition -the Legiaature 'to give the institution ' at ' lease one-half of.the
proceeds of the fertilizer £ees or to make such other additional appropriations to this
end as shall seem wise and proper. Concurred in.
On motion of the Governor, as suggested by the President of the college, that the
commencement day of this college be changed from the 4th Wednesday in June· to the
2nd Wednesday in' June. Adopt ed.
By Mr. 'Stansel, resolved that hereafter exercises such as are usual during other
days of the week be had in the college on 'Saturday morning under the directi@n of
the faculty. Adopted.
By Mr. Stansel, r eooived that hereafter in his annual report to the Board the
Treasurer shall state the exact amount due each·profesoor and commandant and officers
of the Board on account of sala~ on the first of July thereafter . Adoptedo
On motion of Mr. Gilehrist, Mr. F. M. Ree se was appointed librarian of the college
with a salary of Qne hundred dollars. Adoptedo
an motion of Mr. Palmer, that the degree of Doctor of Divinity.be -conferred by this
Board on Reverend ~. F. Glenn, .pastor of the 1st Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.
Adopted"
On motion of Mr. Stansel, a communication from Gemeral Clayton; l ate, a member of
this Board, 'be spread upon ' the minutes 'and a copy Qf t he same be sent to the
Advertiser ,for publication. A~opted.
By Mr. Haraloon, resolved that the President of the college be and he is hereby .
authorized to select and appoint for the ensuing year a suitable person to dishcarge
the duties of adjunct. professor at a salary not to exceed seven hundred and fifty
($7.50) dollars. Adopted. '
On motion of Mr. Ligon, that the action of the Boar~ on yesterday in reference to
the petition and claim of Mr. T. H. Frazer and on which there was -an advocate report,
be recon~idered and that Major , Frazer 'be invited to meet the Board at the Hotel. '
By Mr. Stansel, resolved that this being merely a technical institution, it is without
the range and province of our duti~s to confer such degrees as Doctor ~f Divinity and
that in future this Board will refrain from conferring that degree upon anyone.
Concurred in.
Resolved ,that each officer in addition to the special duties incident to instruction
in his 0'Wll department, will also render such assistance as instruction in "other
departments, attend such colJlegiate duties" and exercises and perform such duties
that good order and discipline and the -general interests of the college as dstermined
by the President and faculty. Adopted.
7
On motion of Mr • . Ligon that Lt. Richards, the Commandant of this college be paid the
sum of $2.50 comp~nsation for the past collegiate year and that he be paid the sum of
$)00 for the en~ing year ending June, 1887 • .
On motion the Bo~rd adjourned until 2 o' clock p.m •
.
The Board met at.3 o' clock p. ~. and there were present the Governor of the State,
Supt. of Educati9n S. Palmer, and Messrs Bishop, Gilchrist, Haralson, Kolb , Langdon,
Ligon, Malone , a~d Stansel. Absent: Mr. Barnes.
On motion of Mr • . H. the profe ssor of agriculture shall be charged with the management
of the campus anq college grounds. Adopted.
The report of the committee Gn claims in reference to the claim of Major Frazor:
On motion of Mr • • Haralson was withdrawn - so ordered. ' ..
On motion 1'11'. H." the committee on claims to whom 'WaS referred the claim of Major
Frazer , beg leave .to report to the Board and .recommend that the claim be paid to wit;
the sum of four hundred ($400) dollars. Concurred in.
By Mr. Haralson, resolved that there be apppropriated five hundred ($.500) dollars out
of the fund of tl}e agricultural department as a salary foran assistant instructor in
mechanic art depqrtment and the sum of one thousand be appropriated ,out of ' the same
fund for expense ~ in the mechanical department. Concurred in.
The committee on .agricul ture through their chainnan, Mr. Ligon, to' ·whom was referred
the report of th~ professor of agriculture and directo~ of the experiment station,
and that of the ~esident of the college referring to the agricultural department
have had the sam~ und~r consideration and beg leave to state that they have examined
the books, receip.ts and disbursements of professor Newman and find the same correct
to the best of their knowledge.
They find a balance of the 'appropriation df lrut year on hand in hands of the ·director,
to with the sum of three hundred and fif~- six 0.5/100 dollars ( $2.56. 0.5) on the '26th
day of June, 1886.
The committee further reports that they made an examination of the experimental farm
andtake pleasure in stating that the .same is being managed and conducted well under
exacting circumstances.
We ~co~end that th1'l sum of fifteen hundred $1.50.0) dollar:~s be appropriated to tne
agricultural department, the balance on hand to wit $3.56. 0.5 in ~he hands of the
director and the proceeds arising from the sale of the crops made on said experimental
station and farm .
On motion of Mr. Haralspn that the following appropriations be made for the· ensufng
year :
President of the College
Five professors
Professor Thach
From the endowment fund.
Adjunct Professor Modern Lang. & History
Commandant .
2 assistants, $2.50 each
Asst. ~n Phy s~cs lab. .
Foreman, Printing Office
-.\..
$ 3, 000 .00
9, 000.00
1, .500. 00
1,000.00
. ))0. 00
.500 . 00
100. 00
100.00
8
Tr easurer
Librari an
Secretary
Contingent expenses
Stationery
Music
Hilitary
Turstees
Servants
Fuel
Speakers
I nsurance
Print i ng
House rent
Chemical dept. fees and
Repairs to grounds
Nat. History
Physic s
Freight
1 ,000 . 00
100 . 00
200 .00
400. 00
50 0 00
100. 00
100 . 00
300.00
. 2SO . 00
. 300. 60
SO . oo ·
360.00
400.00
200. 00
100. 00
1000 00
SO . GO
100. 1)0
100 . 00
Ap.p ropriat. ions from Agl. Fund
Pa st salarj prof . 'of agriculture
assts. in chern. l aborator y
Prof. chemistry house rent
Dept. of Chemistry
Experiment Station ~
Part. slaary instructor in m. arts
As st. in mech. arts.
Mech. Art Lab.
Weather serv:i.ce
700 .00
1,100. '00
200 . 00
600. 00
1; 500'. 00
700. 00
'SOO. OO
1 ,000 . CO
100. 00
Note a part of the appropriations from endowment fund and agricultural fund are
identical with those made by special "motion and 'resolution and hence only recapitulated
in ~he general appropriations.
The Board adjourned until 8 o'clock p . ~ .
The Board met at 8 O' clock p. m. and there were present the Governor , Messrs. Eishop,
Gilchrist, Haralson, Kdb, Lnagdon, and Ligon. Absent: Messrs. Barne s, Malone,
Palmer, and. :stan sel. .
By Mr. Ligon , resolved that Whereas the Board adopted at this mee~ing a resolution
authorizing the President ' employ an adjunct profe ssor of modern languages a~d
hi'story, be and the same i s' hereby repeated. Concurred in.
By Mr. Ligon, resolved that Mr. Dana Tayl or be el ected Adj unct professor of modern
l anguages ani history at a salary of one thousa,nd dollars.
Peport of the Special. Committee on Treasurer ' s report: We as a commi ttee of the
Board have examined the accounts of the treasurer to the extent of having gone oyer
all the vouchers and compared them with the 'several r eceipts and adding up the
several columns of debit and credit and f i nd the same correct.
Haralson, -Bishop, ~igon , Committee.
The minutes of the Board were read each day of their session and approved. The Board
adjourned sine die.
F. M. Reese, Secretary
9
REFORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLIDE
To t he Trustees of the A & M College:"
Sirs : In presenting the annual report f or the s ession 1885-6, t respectfully state
~hat the total number of matriculat~8 in all the classes was 145. '
Of t hese 15 were in the first cl ass, 14 in t he second, 35 in the third, 51 in the
~ourth, and 30 in ,t he fif th or sub- college class.
}1hen cla ssif"ied accor ding to the sUbje'cts of study pursued in the di f fer ent cl asse s ,
there ,were. in ~hemistry 48, in Analytical Chemistry 23, in Physics and Astronomy 19,
in elementary Physics 37, in Natural History 58, in Mathematics 123, in special
Engineering 5, in Technical DraWing 43, in English 139, in History 64, in Latin 26,
in French 9, in German 12, in Physiology 25, in Bolit~cal Economy 14, in Agriculture
41, in M~cha¢e Arts 93 , average {jJ , in Print ing 21, and in t elegraphy 220 -
In reg'ard to reside~ce, there were from Alabama li5, from Georgia 21, from Florida 3,
from Louisiana 2, Tennessee 1, Mississippi 1, Virginia 1, and Texas 1. ' .
The ~tudents from Alabama represent 24 counttes. From that portion of' the state
South of and. ~st of the Alabama River, thElr'e were 85 B~udents, and 25 from that
por t~on Sou th and West of the same line. Their average age at the time of matriculatiori
-was I? years, 10! months.
The classes in the lower grades were much larger than those i~ the higher . Though,
in this re~e~t , there was a decided improvement on the sessions of the . previous yea rs.
- The session has"been one of faithful and earnest work on the pa rt. of . th~ Faculty and
a large maj ority of the studentso In cases ' where , after repeated remonstrance and
reproof , the student did not respond and enter upon earnest work and his continuance
in college was inj urious to good order, his removal was e "ther advised or r equired.
• E,){P RIMENTAL STATIO '.
An examination on your part will show the very great improvement that has been made
at the "'Elcperimental Station, an9. the character of the exp~rlments that are now in
progress. 1fuen experiments are primarily made in the int erest of the Agripulture of
the state , and incidentally are used in illustrat~ng the subj ect to the stUdents.
The question was suggested by the Comtniss "on of Agriculture of the United states of
the prosperity of each of the colleges established under the national grant , s8-'tti ng
aside a definite and necessarily a small portion .of .the farm to be devoted to experimentation
excl usively, and at the time, cultivating the remainder as a farm could be
made profitable and that the same time it he improved ~
The suggestion is of value and worthy ~f consideration. If .the p~n is approved, the
difficulties in the w.ay of its adoption here may be removed ~ work i s directed to
that end.
On the 3rd of February, a r eport was made by the Director of the Station on the
re sults of the experiment in the culture of cott-on.
. .
If science ~an render any aid Whatever to practical agricultura, it must qe done by
experimenlat.ion.l Hence , t he value in the future O'f the experiment sta:ti on to the
agricultuni interests of Alabama must be gre~t . The bill was before Congress to
provi de -for- an :.experiment station in every state mayor may not become a law, but
shoul d the bill fail to pass, then it will be important that efforts should be made
to induce the State Legislature to appropriate to the college a larger share of the
10
i ncome of t he state department of agr iculture.!
The exper iment statio,n.and t he mechanic arts l aboratory, to which the i ncome :1:s,' by
law appropriated, .requires more means to do ·the work than tID!! groivtl?- will require •
. I , therefore , respectfully recommend that application be made to the Legislature for
not less t han ane-haJ,.f af the. income of the dep.artme:rrb3 of agriculture, instead of
one - third as' now received, as it i,s believed that the funds properly expend~d here in
the departments of agriculture and mechanic arts will be productive of more benefit
. to the S'ta te than by e stabli shing other stations . in different sections.
~ . .
I would also ' s~gest for your co ns~deration the prosperit,r. of adopting definite
• times of t he year by ' which . reports from th~ experiment station should be ·made.
, . . " . . . .
These r eports sho~ld give the plan of exp erime~tation adop~ed for the y ear , t o ge
subsequently followed by the results and conclusions drawn. If definite dates are
fixed -for .the , principal re port~ , it will tend ·to c ause. r e gularity · in t he work and
disarm criti9ismo
It i s very ,important also that there should be made an annual report by a fixed
date, say J anuary l~t, of all the work done at the experiment station the previous
_year . The annual report should emb-race a ?Ummary of all t he bulletins issued ' 9-uring
t he year from the chemical and agricultural depar~ent s of t h e , college and, also ,
contain a report of all t he receipts and disbursements.
The work of the station, both in i ts effects ' on the students and ',in i ts influence '
on the agriculture of the state , is yet in its infancy. It has before it in both
respec t s a work of great importance and is wor thy of ·all the support .and encourage ment
that it is in your power to give .
' .
. I would suggest also that the flower garden~ and the grouping ·of · trees on t he
nort hwestern part of the college grounds to form an arboretum be placed under the
charge of the professor of agriculture and of bo ~any.
MECHANIC ARTS
The department of mechanic arts has been in ·operation now one year and 93 s tudents
h~ve enjoy ed its advantages of manual training, the average number ·of th~ ' y ear
b eing about sixty. The general interest which it bas excited among students and
visitors shows that it already ' r egarded as an important educational part 'of our
collegr course.
'The success of t.l1.~ department is in a ,large measure due to the energy and skill ' of
tre instructor, Mr. George H. Bryant, under vho se charge the ;laboratory has been
placed.
I t has been equipped with a '25 h. 1'. automotive engine , 'a 30 h. p. tubular 'boiler
( steel), 20 benches wi~h carpenters tools , 17 lathes, a circular saw, a b~nd saw,
a plane, a buzz planer, scroll BarTS, and other appliances. Up to the present, the
outfit of the l aboratory has cost:
For engine, boiler-appliances and freight
For building, stock, .and boiler hourse
For machinery, lathes, tools , etco
Total amount being
$ 1 , 644 .1~1)
614. 81
l±.a.477~. 59
$ 6, 736. 86.
11
I cannot impress on you too strongly my "estimate of the imp"ortance on the future of
this depart..'llent of manual training, constituting as it does an esse"ntial f eature in
technical education. I, therefore , recommend that the Forge and Foundry Departments
be establi"shed at once .
~ This may be dpne for $3,000, ac cofding to the estimates and reports of Pxofessor
Bryant, to which your attention is invite do
The department for working in iron can be fitted with appliances subsequently where
means are available.
The work required in managing the laboratory and i n giving instruction, 1 found to
be more than could be done . I, therefor e, appointed a student of the senior class,
Mr. L. C. Pitts, to act as assistant . He assisted in locating the engine during
motion, and acted as engineering and general assistant during the session. He is
enthusiastic in the work and gives promise of great usefulness. I am, therefore,
recommending that he be appointed assistant instructor in' the mechanic art laboratory.
DEPARl'11ENT OF CHEMISTRY '
In electing Dr . Lupton to the chair of chemistry, the college was fortunate in
securing the services of a professor of much experience as a succe ssful teacher and
of such established reputation in his department. The class of analytical chemistry
has had mor~ than the usual proportion of students, in number, age, and work. It
will compare favorably wi t.h. sj.milar cla.sses in many of the larger universi tie s of
the !'huth. The ' pro"fe ssor of chemi stry found, according to hi s views of what was
. requisite, that the laboratory was imperfectly supplied with appliances. I t was,
therefore, necessary to expend at once an amount somewhat exceeding the appropriation
to chemistry to secure the necessary apparatus.
In the state chemical laboratory were two assistants, Mr . B. B. Ross, and a student
of the senior class, Mr. L. 'W. Wilkerson. This laboratory has made during teo year
over two hundred analyses of fertilizers, marls, etc . The work done for the state
wi thout extra charge is consideration of the i ncome receIved by the college from the
state department of agriculture would have cost the state according to the cu stam
any charges not less than $3,000.
The re sult s of this work has been distrubuted through the state by the Com. of
- agriculture . While it is pOSsible to do the work required at present" in the rooms
~s si§ned to the departments of chemistry, it would be far better had we a separate
building, especially constructed for the purpo se after the place of a modern chemical
laboratoryo An institution that is the recognized state College of science should only
be limited with the best appliances and facilities for teaching the application of
science. A building and equipment for a suitable laboratpry would cost not less ·than
$20,000.
It has been suggested to utilize the present assembly room in the main colle"ge building,
put this would only partially serve the purpose,and if there is any hope of
securing the funds necessary, it would be Wise to wait and build for the future a
building or laboratory that would be a credit to the institution and the stateo
In regard to t he salaries of the assistants in the state laboratory, your attention
is invited to the report of its prof essor.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT
By order of the secretary of War, M. C. Richards, 2nd Lt . U. S. A. was on the
detailed to act as instructor in military science at this college. This detail was
12
in response -to the application of the c'ommittee ·of your Board appointed for that
purpose . Lt. Richards reported. for d'uty: at the openiIlg of the se sion and has
r endered to the college 'most valuable ' service in. faithfully and- satisfactorily
performing all the duties that attach to his office. These duties have ' improved upon
him daily work in keeping the role of demerits and clerical work essential to
discipline, which he has satisfactorily performed. In ~the se services, being in
addi tion to what is required by the terms of hi's detai'l, :i reSpectfully recom.mend
that a reasonable compensation be granted. In virtue of the detail of an officer
of the .Army to this coll'ege , an 'application then has' beEm received from the ' Ordnance
Department , U. S. Army, 130 cadet muskets and 2 three-inch rifled cannon with
accountrements and appliances; for the safe preservation of which the proper bond has
been given • . The old musket's Will be returned to the State Ordnance 'Officer at
~o ntgomerY .
LABORATORY INSTRUCTION
The college, as now organized, makes prominent laboratory instruction in the several
departments of science; laboratory instruction is now given in chemistry, natural
history, agriculture, engineering, mechanic arts, and in drawing, printing and
telegr~phy. If proper arrangements can, be made, it will be given in physics hereaft er.
PRINTIID AND TEIE GRAPHY
The department of printing continues under the charge of Professor Heil, who has l1ad
the cla'ss working regularly during the year. Cadet D. M. Thrash "is: now acting ,
foreman. He has been granted a 'gnall compensation from the appropriation' to printing
an~i5 ~so . permitted to charge f or extra work. A paper was issued during t he session
conducted by the st-uden ts and printed by the boys in the printing class. ,And the
catalogue just issued WqS also printed by t he students. The office needs more
additional appliances - a cutter and a new foot of type . i __
Prac t ical telegraphy has also been tuaght by Pr of-essor Mell and so much ' interest
has been excited in t 'he work that t1;le students have at their own expense construct ed
l ine s about tOtm f rom their different residences and rome have become expert-at .
re ceiving and se'nding messages.
ruST GRADUATE STUDENTS
Tone and spirit in 'a college ' is secured only by retaining it s best ' and mt)'st enthusi a
·stic students in the higher classes until ~ t hey ' graduate and also a f t er graduation.
Students who do earnest wo r k f or t he l ove of' learning and ~ require nO ' compulsion. '
I , ther.ef6re, recommend ,t hat if possible, authority be given to appoint f roui the
graduates or undergraduates of students best ' fitted fo'r the work 'to ·'be performed,
who shall assist in instruction am also expected to prosecute definite line of, stilly.
lhese positions should be tenable for one year only as they would be designed to
- to assi'st ,-worthy young inen to continue t heir stud-ies; 'whoc could at the same time
ret urn 'to the c'ollege ari e quivalent for the stipend g'I'anted. From assfstants, :when
under graduates, no fees should be required.
EXECUTIVE CQl-1rlITTEE
... ,-.
There sometimes arises an emergency in the. government 'of t he college when a c't io'n is
required and doubt may exist in regard to the authority of the president, a facul ty
to act, and When if possible the necessity of calling the Board tog8ther shoYld be
avaided.
13
I , the refore , suggest that in such ca ses, t he · Executive Committee be given authority
to a c~ ad interim, their action being sub j ect to confi r mation by the Boa rd a t the
next annual meeting.
SPECJAL REPORT
As j. t wi l l be very i mportant that · the exact status of ;the college should be clearly
set forth to the members of the next Legislature, I respectfully suggest that a , full
and complete report, shwoing in detail the present work~ p'rogress, and want s of the
college, be prepared and published by· authority of the Board and distributed to the
members of the Legislature at or prior' to it's opEming.
. ' . lAWS OF THE OOLLEG:E I
The laws of th~ college as Partially ;:evised exist in manus9ript foI;'Jllo They need.
authoritative revision to be made uni.t:o-rm in charactero ' I recommend tha-t this be
done and. that a l i mited number be pri nted. "
COHMENCEMENT DAY
As, many o.f our students are withdrawn by the1r parents- during the m~n:th of June, c:>n
the plea that . their services ~re ne~ded at home and; as often m~ml?er's of . the higl:er
classes are pompell d~ to leave in J Une to secure schools which .t .hey conp,uct duri!;lg
the summer months, it would seem advi sabl e .to clo.se the, session earlier. I would,
tiE i-~fore , re sRe~tfUJ.ly suggest. the second "Wednesday \n J(une ' ~ommencement Day.
.. C't '1.':'; t I • .-
As good order and discipline, as well as progress in study, are dependent on constant
emp;t.oyment, I reconunend that Saturday morning by your order be devoted to collegiate
exercif es as other day~ in the week.
0,) , IJ..... ~ 1 "
'I f Oommencement Day is thus made two weeks earlier, and Saturday mornings are
employed, the student will do more educational work in less time and will thus be
saved the expense of two weeks re sidence at college, at a time when the services of
many are needed at home. :
FINANCES
The rep9rt of the Treasurer shows t:hat" the income from the Endowmer,J.t .and f ees from
the students has met the expenses of the institution, leaving a balance to the credit
of the college of $p.17 . 07. .' 11: J
Of the appropriatio'n from the st~te~ there remained $2500, set '9-sid~-,last year by
your order for building purposes a~~ also a balance of the a ppropriation to the
department of physic!? amounting to - $884.25. Of the amount originally appropria;ted
to physics, there was P.lj.:t't for app;tiances in the mechanic .anh laborat or y, the sum
of $206. 86. ~ - ... _
From the Com. of Agriculture, there was received $5594. 28, being less than the
amourt rec~ived last year by $2008. 4.4.
There has been expended during the year in accordance with the appropriation made and
chargeable with f up.ds , re ceived from this source, the sum of $7369.14, the excess of
expenditures over receipts , being met by the balance of $1538. 57 on hand to the credit
of the department las~ year.
Some ' dis5~ isf ction exi ts on the part of t e faculty, that the 'salaries are not
paid when due . I t seems it has een the custom' f rom necessity, I understand, to pay
the professors four months after their salaries were due . I recOImnend tha we
direct the salaries to be paid quarterly, making the 1st quarter begin October 1.
If not possible to pay the salaries when due , that the report of the Treasurer shall
also show the amount due by the college to the faculty. I would also recommend
that" an appropriation e made to fumis the office of the treasu'rer with a sui table
desk for preserving papers. ' ,
•
Death, of Dr. Dunklin
The faculty, students, and pat rons of the college are all deeply impressed with the
sad ~oss to the institution in the death of its senior professor, Dr. J. T. Dunklin,
who died suddenly June 20. He, had,been connected with this col lege since its
inauguration' and by the conscientious and long ~ontinued faithful performan~es of his
duties as an officer of the~ institution, had gained the esteem ' a~d hign regard of all
withwhom he was associated, and throughout the state was r egarded as one of its
distinguished teachers.
During the year every effort has been, made by the officers to advance the interests
of: the college, to improve its teaching and to secure good order and discipline.
An~ I am happy to stat~ that accord in working, each in his own department ' for a
cormnon end, has .. rked the discussions and in:t,ercourse of the faculty 0 'And under
the blessings of Divire Pro~dence,' the session just closing hasl been of earnest,
harmonious work and of marked educational progrews.· With this report 'I herewith submit
the special ~eports of the Prof~ssors in regar~ to their. department s.
A & }1 College
June 28, 1886
To the Trustees of t he A & M Coll ege:
R~spect fully submitt~d,
William LeRoy Brown,
President
Th~ faculty recormnended, as worthy to receive the degree of Bachelor of Science:
ailmer Alexander Allison
Benjamin ~ullivan Burton
Luther Martin Capps
Franklin Sanson' Howell
Clifford Lewis Newman
Augustus Archilous Persons
Sterling C harr~ers Pitts
Charles Hunter Ross
Robert Jasper Hogue, S~ons
Robert Billups S¢.th .
S,ckenski Ware Spr~ttling
D~dley Sanders Weaver
Levi Washington Wilkinson
Thomas Peter Zellars
They also recommended for the post graduate degree of master of science, B. B.
Ross.
A & H College
June 28, 1886
Respectfully,
William LeRoy Brown
President
Report of the Treasurer of the A & M Coll ege for the fiscal year enciing June 15, 1886
0
I~
15
I herewith present you a statement of thefinancial transactions of' this office for the
year ending June 15, 1886.
COLLIDE ACCOUNT
Receipts
To amt. received endowment acc.
Incidental and 'surgeon fees
Chemical fees ,
Expense acct: diplomas
Trustees . ~
, Errors per Sapslays report
.. -~ - . ~ .
Disbursements
_ _ .
To ~t. paid balance acct.
to expense acct.
to stationery accto
to interest 8.f.ld exchange
to music I~
to Ipilitary
to trustees
to servants
to special appropriations
to salary
to postage
to final
to speakers
to insurance
to printing
to house rent
to chemical ~
to repairs and ground
to natural" history
to surgeon •
Receipts " $2J,040.70
Disbursemts.�� . 21,923.63
Balance 1,117.07
STATE ~PlDPRUTION B.n;EIPTS
To cash balance
To error per Sapsley's report
DisbursemeDts:
By amt. paid mech. art lab.
PhYsics acct. "~
Physics acct. r Me,e.h. ~ Art. ·Lab.
ElTors per Sapsley's. acct.
.. .
Balance
E. T. Gleim
Tr"easurer"
~0,280000 '
• 2,339 006
160.00 ,
: 27.88
.50
,233'.32
2],P40.70
459.31
625.10
30.55
7.20
96.85
97.01
282.80
,200\.00
198 .. 55
17,350.00
134.96
262.85
56.25
360'.00
400.00
200.00
266~00 --
228.20
100.00
574.00 ),
$2:l,923,.63
5,000.00
1,181.3.8 _.
2)6 • .86
76.00
t9878.hB ·
6494.2$
$3384.24.
Agricultural Department~
Receipts
To amt. of balance
To at. rec'd. of commission
1538.,11
5994.28
16
$7532.85
Disbursements
By amt. paid Chem. Lab.
Asa't. Chemists
House rent Ptof. Chem.
Ross per" ord~r of Board
Experiment Station
Salary Director
Mech. Art Laboratory
Prof. Mech. Art.
Prof. Bryant-.order of President
Weather service acct.
Balance
Receipts
To amt. balance
Rae' d of Prof. Lupton
DisburseJJlents'
By ut. paid. PNf. Stllbbs
By amt. paid. Prof. Luptoll
Balance
~
Library accoutlt
Receipts _
To cash r~ceived of Cadets
To amt • . p~d for bocks
Recapitulatiolls
To balance .on College acct.
:state appropriations acct.
Agl. Dept. Acct. ': .
Analysis acct.
Dr. lb. LeROy BNWIl
President A &'M College
Sir:
".
REPORT C>F THE COMMANBINT
957.00
1096.99
150;00
100.00
2000.00.
700~OO
1500.00
. 700.00
66.00
99.15
'7369.1h
'163.65
840.00 '
330.00
. $ll70.00
300.00
300.00
234.00
234.00
1117.07
3384.24
160.95
5700 00
$:5234.96
• 600.00,
. ,. 570.00
In relation to iq duties at this college, I have the honor to make the following
report sf 1at, as Professor of Military Science ami Tactics, -2nd as CoJlllandant
_ of Cad,.Elts ~~. _lmde,r Sect. 1225 revised statlltes of the . l'1. S. and -in accordan.ee
with special orders of the President I reported here for duty October 1, 1885.
r
~ ~ ... " .... "'" ~v "
I found the- Cadets instructed to a certain _.de~ee . :Ui :the ·modem ,.system of tactics,
. but following largelJr a system whose origin was tradition and customs -of the
coll~ge. . My ~o* w~s at once P! tent - 1st to undo. and e~,dicate t~ , old. and I
authorized tact'ics, 2nd to perfect the mo~ern ,and ac.cepted system.. , The tilll8
alloted mi was about 5 hours Per week; on hour on' ea.ch 'i'ue:sday, Thu.rsday, and
Saturda;y fO~ drill and oneho~r on each' Tue}ldaYr and' '1Ji~~da, fo:r:' leJ€t~~s ·aJild ·
recitations o£ the 1st' am 2nd chases. It is not tQ .b'e expected 1,ri 3), limited
a t~ each week 'cadets can be trained -to be thonnigb' tacticians, or thoroughly . ~
taught the science and act of War. Nor do I understand this is L desired~ The
object sought is to ... improve . the physique, gi va a concise and accurate knowledge
of minor taeti~s and v such' a ' general understanding of organization of armies
campai~ingr the case_ of .health on the March in camp and in barracks,. the. -:i,mP'C?rtance
of discipline a's would enable the cad~ts if called upon to intellige:q.t];Y _ se,t - to -
work' and lluic1c1y make ' oT tbeJRselves responsible am capable officers. The
recitatiolls have been confined. to Uptons IBfmtry Tactics with the most , reeeDt
rtllings of tle War Dept. . '
~ r'
17
The lectures have been on practical8lbjects, such as one liHtld use on 'his fii--st ~ ..
campaign. The drills have been from the setting up exercises in the &:h o-o:( of tm •
soldier, threugh the School of the Company of batallion • . ,.1 have -giveR 'BlY personal Slipe
"ision to the drills and have been highly gratified to see in the cadets not -
only the :lnq>rovenu!l t and. proper development of the physique, tm cultivation af. 'L'
soldierlJr bearing, the increased. power CJ)f endllrance, but the military spirit shown,
the cheerfu.ln~ss of -the ps-formance of mUitary 4u.ty ·and the ~bedience to diseipline. _. _~ . \ _ J .... - -
. . ) J . ..;
~n discharging the ~'\ltie s_ of . Co~dent, the u5\lal,method CJ)f office work, such· ,"S
," keeping the reports of present;' absent,- sick, etc.,' Keeping t~ d_e.rit recQrc1, • J ,-.... ~ .
recard of orders, list of boarding muses, ihas been perSuade Some Blight changes
have been made ill forms for excuses, ,requreats, et2. , TAe ~!-q.ets are giTen ~ti1
the secom. office Aour after pu@li~a:tion'-"" ta submi~ excuses fer delinquencies and
except in special cases ~hes~ ~eJBade in. writi~g. It has beEl! my _.~S~Jlto ~quire
all official communications to b~ written: in , ~ .. artd properly folded and briefed.
A rigid cOlllpliance with this is necessary to teach correct business habits. A
suggestion under this head is th~~ ~all officialco~wlieations ·l of., the I!ad~~ s, ~ except
of a special character be required to pass thN\lgh 1;;8e COJllU.ndant'. otfic~ ' .inst-ead of
going direct to the President as is prescribed. by presen~ college_regulati.ons • .
Action on mest excuses, INpervising ot the roster of details of cadet officers;
reports, an excess of demerits have been performed by; the CoIlllJlaDiant and )the
discipline of the cadets lE. s passed somewhat "through l'lill hands.
... " ~. . _ Ii..
The punishments inflicted amthe perfermance of extra hours of duty, sometimes
walking on po~t as sentinel without c~rge _and sQJlet.imElls. on , lUlqe~oing drip. -tha.t
clasaates are 'not l"eqUtred to take. '. ,- "" .,'. '" .'
During the year a clE. I'€e has been made in the uniform. The one DOW used is very
81mil~ to· the West Poi'n~ Uiform. SiDce its adoption, it is more apparent the
eade'ts take more pride in per~nal appearances, cleanliness am general bearing
nth the use of a light sack coat for fatigue, bu.t little additJpnal ~xp~nse l(ill
re SlIt from t18 change.
New ams and accoutena8nts aDd amnui ton for practicing firing has b~n obtained fi.-om
the l:J. S. Ordnaree DepartaEll t. The corps of cadet is in first class shaPe as reiards
appearance, drill, and discipline.
The treasurer's report shows a slight balance of last year' s ~pl'Opriation ~xpem-ed
and1n·his llaJ1dl!l~ " . ,~'. - _ .. ~ u ~ - • I~'
~u.
18
My duties as Commandant consume mu.c~_ mor~ .of my time than ~errlce, with my regiment
arid I Wish to add a itork: in- rega~d ~o, PtV,. -:- =. ' . ~ r . ' ~ • ~ -
01. 1 ... .. ~
r . ~. r .. 1""" _. ... (' " ... ";
I came he,re after t:He lOOeting' ~~ t~ Board of .Tniste~s last ' year $ll6 no 'St.uB has been
has been determi~ed ~upon, but as .,q current expenses are increasep. ,by having < 1;,(l) Wy . • f ' . r .-,t· . . . . at re~ail ~insteaq. -,!:f\ at wh~~esale o(ten 'co~is.sary Departm~nt and by -haVing to pay
Doctor _b:ll,ls;"'~y me'dieine's, ' and pay house r~nt instead. of paving med:i,.cal aid,· .
medi~irles, and ~quart'ers 'furnished me, I trus'te :the Board will be willing -to give me
a r eaoonable co.mpEfnsatio.n., - "" "', _. . +
.. .
Auburn, ,llaballlB'- .
June 25, 1886.
-Yo~ <Dbedient, ser-Yant . ....
M. C.o Richarcl.s,.~ ·Lit. U. S.A. _ J .
Report of T. H. Frazer
,!ubum, . ,!la) am a
June 26,-.1886
Tb President w. LeRoy Bt-oun··
" ~
Sir: . r-
~ ~ ,
• Below is" tm rePort, of trn work 'done ' in. rrry department· durlng the" sesSion 1885-6. In
addition to the regular, classe,s of .my department, . I have t ,augl?-t the 4th: cla,s
DraWing and t:pe 4th class Physiol-ogy. My. algebra and arithJiet:i,c . classes were greatly
supplem.-.e nted from -'the 4th class. . : . ~~ , ~
~ .
My aigeb:ra cias~" cortsi.sts of .28 -:. 5th cias~ stu4~nts
. . 28 - 4th class. students'
' My aHtlunetic clas!;! consist·s Ci>f 30 - $th class StudentlS and
. II - 4th.. II -) .» students .
My 'Enllish i1'aimne~ II • , ~.l-•• 'K.k",d •• t.
Drawing S~b class . ~ .
Penmans~p 5th clas~ _ 11 l
Lati n 5th class
Latin 4th class
Drawing 4th class
Physiology 4th class .
.. 27 ·studemts .
" , 30r ..
. - .12
. . i-'
3 39
.25
r ... f
r ~ ~ • I • ,. t . . I am glad 'to say that 1h~ general attendance has Qe~n good and attention to ,s'!ol1di.e-s
all that co uld be de sired. fI\ ; ~
. ~
, o ..... lt X. H._. Fr~zer, Instnction ·.in
., l.a.nguage·s & ~thema~ic~.
Report of· C. C ~ -Meade .
Dro W. L. Broun, President
A & M College
Sir:
.. ,. ,.. • 1'". \' f _. t have the honor of presenting to ~u the folloWing- rEport of my academic work
during the scholastic year just closed. The subjects and number of' Students taught
have been as follows.
Eng1ish- 108 students
German 12 students
French: 9 students , "
Orat~ons and d~clamations 64 students.
19
~ 'n1lJllber of recitations per' lleek has be,en 2h! ' My distribution' of th?-s liDr~' can be
best seen 'frdm the accomPanying' table. )
Sub.lect Class Hr.s !er wk. RO. of Stments
~
English 1st 2 -13 b
English 2nd 3 14
English 3rd 3 30
English ~,4th 3· 51
.... German 1st 4 6
German 3rd 3 -6 -,- · .. ~ . 1 ..
French 1st &2nd 5 Ie
0rations &
Declamations . 1,2,3, 1 64.
. As a 'rule the .st.udenti3 have been diligent and successful in their studies and their
deportm art. has been uni.formly good.
.lttburn, Alabama
June 16, 1886
Report 'of Prof. O. D. Snith
Auburn, ' Alabama
June 24, 1886
WIn. LeRoy Broun, LLD
Preslden~
.\;1ir:
Very respectful~ submitted
Charles C. Thach, Prof •
Mod. Languages & English. Lit.
I h.ave the honor to suomi t the following report of the wax done in the department
of mathematics. The nUlllbe'r taking . ,tbC!mati'cs in tiE college classes was: in the -
1st class, 2; 2nd . class, 7;' 3rd class, ' 3$J , 4th class, 38; tOtal 72.
The first class compieted serv:l.ees, ealeulus ' and the applicatien of calcultts to
mensurational mechanics and more than half of descriptive geometry with nllBlerou.s
pract~ problems. This class has p~slled a more 8:xtemed course in pllre and
app1ied .mathematics than any class tllat has ever graduated. Each memBer of the
elas~ ),ecuI'ed a "Distinction" in the: years lIOrk.
The second class completed analytical geometry and spberieal '-'trii?;enometI-i. " They ' ,
have not accomplished the usual aJOOunt of work, owing to a change in the course.
They pasSed: their exaination!s. The third class completed , solid geometryf; advanced
alge~a, trigonometry, mensuration and surveying. The secom term in sections, they
were engaged 6 hours a week in field work. They:ta ve had practice in the use of tm
compass, transit a:rl other instruments. They made a survey of the College Fanus;
calculated its area and made a plot of ~ 'lbeY ,also had extended practice .in
I triangulation and the measurement of' height~ IiIld distances. ' This c1& ss ~s made
geod progress. It was necessary to divide it into two sections in algebra to
accommodate new stu.dents al d tho se who were deficient in preparation. Nearly all
who were in the second section accomplished the required extra work and passed
satisfactory examinations.
The 4th class completed 5 books of Wentworth's geometry and finished the su~ject
of logarithms in Olney's algebra. This class has accomplished mor~ work both :in
geometry and algebra than 4th class I have taught. Their progress has been very .
gratifying. It was necessary to divide this ~c~ass iIito t'WO .sec:tl.onsJ . I taught the
two sections in geometry, and the advanced section in algebra. The second section
in A1le~ra was' instruct.'9d by Mr·. Fraz~r. It bas made such progr~ss tla·t most of
the section will be able to enter the 3rd c).ass at the -opening of the -next
sessiQRe
• 'io • '-
I have also instncted a class -in -bookkeeping during most of the 'year. Several 6f
thi s class acquired sufficient knowledge of the subject to qualify. them for book-keepers.
f
20
I submit a tabiated statement of the work for each term.
say that there is a gradual but steady improvement in the
I~ have been enabled to extend and elevate my course. The
in my department is very enc()uraging~
In conclusion allow me to
scholarship of ay' classes.
outlook ·for the future '
Tabulated Summary
cas::;
I · II
III
III
In
IV
IV
IV
00. IN CLASS
· 2
2
27
12
15
29
13
28
Total no. recitations per week - -
Very re.spectfu11w
.,Q. D. Smi til, Pref. r of Math.
SUBJECTS
Calculus & its applieatian
Shher. Trig. Ana1yt. Geome1J;y
:Solid Geometry .
1 seetion Advanced algebra
A1begra
Geometry
Geometry
Albegra
RECITATIONS PER WK.
,.1 . 3
5
3
2 . .
3
2
2 -+.
SEOOND TERM
I
II
III
III
IV
IV
IV
6
2
2
27
·llr ~
24
16
2'
IDe~criptiTe geometry
ADalyti~a1 Geometry t
Trig. Mens. &. Surbeying
. 2nd -Sect. a1geb;ra '
1. geometry '
2 geoJpetry
]L a~gebra
bookkeepi.n.g
r
Total no. recitations per week - - - - - - - - - - - - - _
~ . hQurs ~r week ~ field . work. 1
AW.A.MA A & M CDLLEGE & roLY'lECHNIC i'NSTITtITE, AubuI1l, A4bama, June -25, 1a86~
Dr. ~ • . LeRoy B:r:'0lm, · Pre.sident .
Sirr
~ .
I have. the honor to make the fo11owiag report of the work done ill my department · , ..
thi. session. .
21
CIVIL ENGINEERING
The ri;st~ cti:l;l,~ :.nu,9h i~ .'a ~~ but ve'ry bZ:iiJl\ oh~/ ae4u:itted~,t~e'Ji~el~-S ~nd~o~ly.
,They were car ~full.y imstructed ~n ~ rene,.ved
J
the (o~lo,!,ipg ~~j8Ctsl cl~~sitication,
defects, sickening, durability and preservaticl>n of timber; classification aDd description
of natural building stones, bricks and concrete, cast and wrought iron, steel
and other metals; lines, cements, mortars, and their manufacture, paints and other
preservatives; classification of strains and a general mathematical discussion of the
SSlM; joiints and fastenings, solid and open~,built be~sLc~ssif~ca:tion; . con.struction
and mechanics of _sonry, fop.n(iations on land, and in water - bridge,s a~ roofs of,
different kinds~ their cons\ruction and; strains; dete~ned mathematically 'and '
geographically, common roads, their coverings" Iocatg.,i:JDs and constructi9n - Qo~ation
and constructi,on. of rai1road.s, irrigation and 'drainage canals: I '
The~ second class which is also a small one, made commendable progress in the following
,subjects: simple compound; reversed and parabolic curves, turnouts am crossings;
Swelling grad:iemts; setting slope stakes;, location and construction of common roads.
FIEID WORK
Commencing soon after the opening of the session am continuing to the 1st June, both
classes 1m Civil Engineering were taken into the field three aftemoons a: week and
taught practically how to 1eve.l, )1OW t~ run. s~mp1e, , com:p~ ,and reversed ~u~es by
different methods am how to layoff -ordinates; also, the 'practical applications of
several problems, previously studied in the classroom. They were then made tD run
a soort line, establish grades, set slope stakes and calculate the cuts and fills by
overaging en~ ~reas and by the prismoidal formula.
DRAWIW
The first class ,made excellent scale and colored d.rawings o£ machine,s anc;( the .1ili~
wi th details ' of the same.
T.be second c~aS!l, the first t!lrm,. was instructed ;n dr.awing Jll8,sonry, deve1opme~ts of
arche,s" ~~nmda:t.ions, ' joint cent~s, strainings, roofs and other building constructions.
The course of instruction for the ,second ' tem was.' draWings _f-or IIQclli.irlit.s and eng:tneers. . • - ," _ - ~V'- "-' . ,. r I am sorry to say the class waS very id-1e and made but ,little RrogI-esS. , ,
• ~ • -. • L
The thir~ class wtlic~, i~ , ~ larg~ one was tasked and thus kept W, their work. ,They
have 'givenme soJle ~ very pretty and accurate drawings in orthographic and ismethic '
projections and practical perspective; many of them being delicately tinted in water
cG1ors. · ' ~ . ,
The fourth class· was taught by Professor Frazer.
DIPlOMAS AWARDED
1"" r,.
At the request of the Commissioner for Alabama, I sent a 1a.r.ge '-collection of classroom
drawings to the last New Orleans ExpGsition without cost to the college. These
drawings attracted a -great deal 'of attention, receiTed frequent 'ComPlimentary notices
in the New Orleans and other papers and were. awarded a "diploma of Erit". All of
these d.rawi~gs and the work of the present session are now disp1~ed in the drawing
rooms of the college am I would be pleased to 'have :the Honorable Be'ard of TN.tees
examine thEm. l .
22
WANTS
'I'OO Department needs a pl~ table and .~ few ~ore engineering and drawing i~- .,
, st:rt:URent.s ' and. a, large lot. !'~ frames , for exhibiting drawings, a. t , oommen~~ents, .
. state fairs and other , ()cc~sJ.ons • . I therefore respectfully ask for ~ appropriat:ion
of ' about $jo(). . . . ,
I of' l .
t r , - ;> • ~ -) . '~ •• ,. • ��
With the .exCeption afo)le hour every Tuesday morning, .r- havebee~ c;ons~antlY"
employed daily' ii my lecture ant drawing rooms from .8 a.m.' to 1 p.m. As already
stated, ,r haye spent three afternoons a ~ee~ in .the field ~e~ theweathe~
permitted with my cla,ss in C:i,vil :Engiheerl~g. ~. '. " . .
REPORT OF C. C. THACH, Librarian
To the Board of Trustees
Gent le~n:
To cash from Cadets
Disbursemen ts:
By ·oash paid fqr .l!>Qoks .
""""periodicals
Respectfully submitted,
James 'H. Lane
Pro f. civ·. Engr. &. braw:tn'g
; .~ J... • r'
$ 234~bo .
160.60 .
l ~7t·Qo
23.00
'During the year the ,library has ' received .from Senato,rsM~rgan aM 'hgR, Congressman
W. C. Oates and others, one ,hlUldred ~aJrl seventy~seven ' cbllars-. ", We have purchased
one hundred and . ~y-five new volumes of Historioal ~and L~ ter.arY -works. and renewed
subscription to 24 scientific and literary magazines.- ~
• f_ , . I • ',. ~;... ") " ..
The fo~o.wing t~ble exh~bi1t~r 0. the n1llJlber of vplumes. as prese~t :in the library.
~ ,.
Already on hand, 1885.
Donations, 1885-6
Purchases, 1885-6
(' ,,; 1513 vols. C
177
,, 165
Total -- 1855 "
Besides the bound volwues the library has a large quantity of unOOllIld miscellaneous
-pamphlets and ' magaZ'>ine:sti' t .. .' .. , '" ...., .
, .I ~'WOu.ld ,·re.speothlly suggest '.that "if posSible ·1lurl.her appropriations be .made by the
Board for. the equipment 6f the Library. ' ~ '. . " . / .
,.It is not necessary to dwell upon the. absolllte necessity for a good library for
the improvement of the young men in college. • _ ,
During this and last year, there has been marked interest in reading among the
stUdent So
The library ' has been opened three , t~s ,a..:.week. . Consid,erable reference wrk 'has
been done and <Dver folU', hunired volUDle$. been audited.
23.
Respectfu.lly'( submitt~d
C~rles C. lbaeh, Li.b~arian
. .
~uQ~n, A.labama.
June IP, '1886
La~orato~ of State C~emist
.Alabama Agl. ' & !fi. Coll.ttge .
. Auburn, Alab~ma.
June 25, ' 1886
Dr. V. LeRoy · Broun, President
Agl. &· Ml. College
Dear 'Sirl . _ .
Du.ri~ the . present ses'sion, forty-eight stu~ents b.ave entered the dapartiD.ent 'o.f" 'D~1
chemistry, nine, in the l~ class, eight in the ·2nd, and thirty-ODe illl the 3rd.
Students in the 1st .and 2nd classes' are recnrl.red to work in ,the Laboramry, vldle
laboratory work is optio'n~l w:1, th meJa~ers of t!le 3rd class. , Several meliibei's of -
this class have availed themselves of the prip,lege of entering the la~oratorr
dUI':ing the session. Hereafter all students who enter' this dept. will b~ expected
to devote more or ' less t~e to practicallDrk, as in 110 other"waY can the iiaportant
fac't ( am principles of the science be fully compreheIJie'd and be,. inamently "fiXed in
the P.i-llds of the students. . '.
To meet the growing demands of thi IS deIJ)artment, a new laboratory ·or an enlargement
of the one now occupied is greatly meded and additional apparatus is required. The
want of proper vent:Llation and the impracticability of securing it in the' rooJlS now
occupied, point to· the necessity of the rooms in the main building or erection of a
new labor~tory with all tlle modern appliance s for practical instruction as veIl as for
origimal investigation.
The course . . of chemistry in this institution is as ' tho;rough and ,ase xtensive as ,any
institutiQn in this count·ry. and JIlOre extensiTe ·than in'·the majority GIl the liniver;'
sities ·and colleges. The state eneaic'sl deptl in conneetiori ~ with .the' ecper1ment'
statiO.n ·fUrnishes a ra:re oppor.tlinity .fiJr students to become famil,iar ' with .the
applications of chemistry to the agricultural, mamtfacturing and mining inte rests
of the state and on facilities for practical scientific work IIl\lst be kept fully up
wi th the progress, made in the se great industrial pursuitso
, -'-,..
The deep .inte:ri3ost man1f.es
O
ted by students in this depart., during the session, has
been exceedingly: gr,atifying and their progress and deportment has in the main been
f'u.lly up to all reasonable expectation~ .
In the state Chem. Dept. a great deal of WOIX has come ;into . my hands, more than in
any previous year, while the income from analyses has fa11en off. ~ This results from
tM fact that tne Commissioner of Agricu.lture allows no charges to be made for work
sent through his office, whether planters, dealers, manufacturers or others~
OlB hurrlred and. ninety-two sub ~tance8 have been 'analysed ijuan\1\\1,\ively and from
fifteen to twentyAualitatively during the session. The value of this work if
charged for according · tQ tne established schedule, wo111d amoUnt ' to over ~3'OOO < _ 'fI' ' . •
24.
Tbree hurd red' and thirty dollars in add.ition for analyses received outside the work
cbne by order of the commissio!ler of agriculture have ' been paid over to Mr. Glenn,
the treasurer, and v.i.ll be reported by him to the Board. IT JDa3 not be improper
W call at.teJilti6n t..0 the fact that the state chemical dept. returns more than an.
equivaient for all fums received for its support from the fertilizers found. The
aggregate amount appropriated from the agricultural fund for this purpose is: $2100,
as follows for assistants $1000, State chemist #500, apparatus and chemicals, $600.
While the work done for planters and others as before stated is worth over $»00.
The character and amount fa work' required arJd the responsibility incurred in the state
laboratory is 50 great that at leaR one experienc ed ' assistant is :mea Bsary. Mr.
B., ;·B. ,Ross who has been connected wi th this laboratory for tv) years, bas ~cquired
an experience and accuracy which mke 'him with ' his 'fine natural qualifications for
the position, a most valuable assistant. His w:>rk is cons~ant the year rourrl and
requires a high degree of skill and ability for its satisfaetory' p.erfonRan<::e.:
In view of the importance of retaining so valuable an asst., I hope the Boar9. 'Will
see its way clear to increase his salary from fifty to at least seventy-five do'llars
per month. Mr. L.W. WilkiJilson, the 2nd asst., is also fN~tfu1 and competent; ,
laoldng only the ,experience of Mr. Ro'sa. During'the past session, he , has received
#25 per, month and been 'allowed to, pro'secute such studies as were n~ce ssary ''00
complete, his course for the degree of 13.8. He is one , of ·t.b.e , gra:~tes the pr~sent
year and it is hoped that. he will be retained as 2nd asst. during the next session
on the usual sala ry of' $400 per annum. ',. , ' ,
, ~ : w~
Owing to the largely increased member'. 'of student s in 'chemical dept' • . an<,i laboratory,
~ iBcrease, appropriation for apparatus and chemicals is necessary. My estimate' of
the amount needed is as fa 110 w.
For state laboratory '
~ene:ral , < •
Lecture room
$ 600
,400
1000
-$ 2000
A very meager supply of apparatus and chemicals was found on hand when I entered
my duties in September. ' Such additions have been JiJade as the ' mans in halld ' wo'U,ld'
j~stif'y, others are im~ratively d.emanded if we keep pace with the progress of , ,
ehemical , ~oience and place the agrioultural, and mechanical college abreast with the
foremost institutions of the country in its facilities for teaching theoretical
and practical Chemistry. ' "
~
REPORT OF THE DEPI'. OF ~T. HIST. AND GIDIDGY, 1886
Er. · W.' L~Y BO~d, he Sident
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to ham, ,)'O.u this my 8th annual report.
ReSpeotfully sUbmitted
N. L., Lupt!J)n, Prof.
GenI. & Agi. Chemistry
m 'd state ch9J!1ist . ('
GEnWGY' - 'TIns ~bject stUdied t.h~Ughollt ,the entire session, is requ.ired of the
first ·class in all of the three degree courses. Special attention is given to the
economic geology of Alabama. Sufficient work in this direction is accomplishefi to
..
25.
eJlS.ble ·t1'\e s.tud;en"!os ·to -become, familiar with the lithologiqal characteristic,s of the
chief minerals found- i_n ', t.4:lE~ state. The 'lectur..es of the, course-'"..ar8' d llustrated by 'means
of the select 'cabinet of' m~rals ~nd tine cOllect±~n of possible belonging to ' the
co,llege ~museum and .also by means of an excellent . sciopticon" <by -use- of which '
beautiful shades ,are projected on a- large groUDi . glass screen. This makes the 'study
of geology not instructive hat very interesting to all class~s 'of , smderits. '
ENTOMlIOOY - This subj.ect is t.aken _·by the atudents of the '-first class i n 'the 'oourse
of chemistry and agriculture a-nd requires one yea-r 'for i t,S- completione. The .work .is
accomplished during the first term 'by means df. lectures illustrated by apparatus:'
and specimens belonging to the dept. Special efforts are 'made 'to f'ami11a.n.se the
young men with the clas-sification of in.sect·s injurious and- benef±oia"! and the tjpical
characteristics of the insects common to the southern states, with remedies beat
adap.te~ to their , e~tel'lDination. ' " " ., .,
Micro projections are frequ8q.tly ma~e .to· shaw the structure ' aneil dev~1opment_ of
i .nsects;. and m~ illu~rat~ons are drawn from, the- neighboring' fiel:d.s and. forests.
The eniike second term is devoted. to practical work in the biological laboratory .
~ the student is required to make. app:IJ.cation of ~e principles a~ ,dedilc¥?p-s
given during the colll"se of lectures of' the:',preceding term. For theJ·.rf-nal��, elCammation
a specified number of insects is required from each member of the class ..
properly classified and plOunted. These collections are ' careful ly placed in suitable
cases and 'hUng on the walls of the m:aseum with the names of the stlldents~ a:nd 'dates of
the class attached. During the year just closing, this system ~s ~rked IlOS~
admirably,. and I have, bee!! enabled to obtain more than twitle the ' amOunt of work
, required on · ac~ount of the interest taken in the inv~stigation· by the young men.
Many hollrs set ,apart' for ' I,'eoreation ~,were oonSUmed by them in sear ching for and .
mOllllting ' insec i s~ ' . ' .
~
fhe ~wl~dge of entomology t hus gained has been . very sat.isfactOry.· bGther year
it is the ~t~mtion to broaden this ",rk Qy ~ requtring _an essay -in addition to -.
collection ar iils'ects~ This essay will not be the reworked. data from -some lJook on
entomology but will consist in the filled notes and observations taken by the .student
ill the field and laboratory. ' , . ~ ,
~
.' • C' .• ".,. (
Micro-photd'graphs will hereafter be req11ired to show the internal structure of
insects and also to. show ~he microscopic RhisopoCls fOWld i~ ' such great abu.nd~:nces ,_
in all stagnant , waters. . '" ' . ,'T _ -'
. ..~ .. , . ~ SOme investigations hav~ been made -duripgJthe _past year 1n ·the diseases 'of domestic
animals. ' Members of' the 1st class assl:sted in an experimentaticni into the cause af
the destnctiGn of swim, on the ext>erillSnj;, station" leading to the discovery 'of _
strauggles paradaxes on lung veras' in great nwnbe-rs OCClilpying": tie bronchial tubes.
These worms were evidently developed on account of. the initiated conditionaf the
lungs, produced by allowing the hogs . to wallow in the dust ana in old buildings. ~
The lungs thus render~d fprmable, ~lile , multiplication of the warms' bec~e'C" ~ veZy rapid
and the diseased condition of the bl,aad. and conseqtlent · death werE! ~e resul'ts.'
Quite a number 'of spec:i:mens of d.iseased plants' have been received from 'd1rferent.
parts of the sta1}e th~t have been studied. and pronounced uPon in the presence of the
stud.eilts. t This g.ave 1!hem .~ : insight into t -he methods of ' biological investigation
.that, 'it .seems" no system of textbook cO,urse courd 'pos"Si'bley acoomplish. . .
BOnNY -. This -t·opic 'is studied by the 2n:i and Jrd classes. The SIlbject is b.egun in
the second t~nn of the 3rd class" the time devoted tG an e1eillent~ 'course in plant
structure" followed by~.a systematic dri;L1ing:L in plany 'analysis. 'The eommo-n nO~M'ing
plants and , gras~e ~ of ~he neighbo!hood are , used by' this' class and many of ,them. are
name.d by young men before the close>1 of the term. ;. - . .
26.
In the ... 2Dl clas's mo:re advanced wrkris lindertakeD in PhyS'iol~gical botany, .ine l~.
ing'vegetable anatomy and IIlGrphology:; lGoking to .a fi,11 ,understa!~.d~g of" "the· .
minute structure of. plants as reveal.ed. 'by the microscope and the mOdifications .
certain Qrgans urdergo .mdar pe,culiar -conditional eir'clilIIlstances'. The last tE!rm -is
spent in collecting and mounting specimens um.er~ the same ~omitions ,required ·of
the alaas in el'itoJr19logy. ':. ' ',;. ~. . '.
In this class is ' studied also the disease of plants," such ~ as. fungus and a1:1
,yeget.abJ,.; _f~:QlU5 :o.r ,~blight. , More -advanced work is expecte,d -to, '~e ~(me in this
direc~J.on wit~ the ~xt ,olass ' that ·enters the laboratory; and ,~t is ~to be ,hoped
that the iI1ve~tigations will' be -of 'such 'value a.s to w~~t t~ir · publ1:cation
'f' ~hrough t~ prirrtt)i~ ~~fic~e~~ f'~r ' Circ'ulation 'among · th~ ,fal"lllBr's 'and ~~ t~ers.' interested. . . .
PHYSIOIDGY - ' On account of the many duties required of ' "~f ·aurlng the past year, this
subject was taught by Major T. H. Frazer. It is gratifying to note ~he interes~ .
take~ ,in the .topJc of both:' 'teacher and pupil. To eilhall:ce the teaching of p_hysi~logy
an exc.Uent human 8kel,ieton 1'8 used. in . connection With lIIaPS, blackbeard ill~strations, and. ,lantem proi~'ctions , of' the' circal8.ti'ry "SYstem, together~ wi fh m;tcrosc,opic~l
repres~ntatives of' biook,: fibres am skins', etc. Speoial attenti-on ;8 di,rected to
the .indui7.r une to ,the qstem -by' inl!l1!llgiJlg. ~n exees.s1ve abuse'~ ~'<""" '
. ... - .
T~IS ' departmen1t has also charge 'of the classes in printfilg, typewr~ting~ ,Sl!-d'
telegraphy. .
The class iin p~iRtioo , mee'bs ~ three ' times per week throu~ .ft.1:e session" ~ acA. re,cttatf.on
bei!1~- tl«> ho~r8 ' ~ong •. ' The tiDe-'is devoted dllI'in~ ~~" IBt~ rte~ ~ . l~ a~ng ~m d~.tails
of the office . and ·how t§i) . set: am, distrimute type' rapialy and nth 'faciiity. To
add interest to this work, a college proper is issued each month u:bder the control
of the students of the institution. All of the printiDg is ,done by this. class .•
Tba catalog is ~ntioned as: a spec~en ' of 'the wQr~ executed by the , s~9~~ts of thi ~
class. ,,,Mr.D. ' M. Thrash is foremm of' the Printing Offiq'e -and, take ~ , ~arg~ . o~ the
class ~der 1I!Y direction. " '. ';(1,. " , " : -. r
.... -r 'c,~;' ,. ' .-lv ,
. ~ <.. I ).,__ ... .��
Inthis ' offie~ is al~o a ~a11igraph typewriter to teaCh -the stude~t ' the 'use of thi~
machine so rapidly gaining popularity among professional and 'businessmen.
. '. . .. ( . '1 jr 1'-''' ..... ~ _.
Much inter.es~ ~as mamif~ sted in telegraphy ,dtiring r- tlie pa'st 'ye~:r. ~e Y9Ung ,men '
voluntarily erected a line through the town, conn:lcting a nunftDer 0f dwellings 'With
the college building and some became quite proficient in the use 0,£ ,tha .instrwnents
and the methods, of ,telegraphic..; cOIllDlW'lication; severa).. 'can re'ceive a s well as . many
operators '~o .are' q~~ing' good wage~ . ,This, line is very ne~arly t'WO mi+es' long.,
The m~t1aods in force,;' on~ the.'-iifestern union line 'a~ strictry a~eZ:E[!d to~ SO t~t :WQ~
the yo~g men have cQ~lege · th&y. have but little difficul~ inobtaihing good "
situations aa tele.graph. operators.
... I' r ' ~ ~ r _0, ..l • ..J. •
MUSEUM_- . 'In~ accordanct9 with the 'request of Mr. A ~ Stral1sblirger', the Stat.e ' eo_.
to the New Or;e,ans 1l;Jcposit1on, this department sent a general' oollection of specimens
to show the facilities possessed by this institution. This exhibition ,retumed ,in
good qOpdi t~~n tm~ rec~i ve~ as all award of me~t th~~~ ' be~~tifu.J.. diplC!>JIlS:s. MY time,
~as ~een . so , much eng~ged in ~l'0Ting the '€) ther in te~ sta 'under my charge, 1 han . been ,cc:?mpelled 'tel ~et , t.he museum remain' in statu,s quo during the past year: ROliever,
there have b~en 'more,-alu!!Qle:-additions made' • . .Amon.g the number my be mentioned a
fine collection of grasses sent by the department of Agricultl1re. , ' .
• ~ _ • j • - • _ t. ' .• _ •
~THER SERVICE ,- TR~ U~ted .sta:t.e~ S!t~~l ,5e~ce ;tta~ e~ta,?J.;lshed in A:taP~a ' .
st~te s,ystem for eoll~ct1ng ' meteorolog~cal data~ relating to climatic changes. This
servi~e was placed under my d.ire·ction ill March 1884, and it ha:s beep in successful '
operation since then, issaing bulletings at the close' of e~ch' ''month, ' compiled from ' '
_I
. 27.
reports sent to this office ' from over thirty ' observer,s .from ne arly as many counties
of the state. Special bulletins have also been issued from time to time on topics
relating to meteorology, tne materials for which have beeIl' prepared by prom!i..nEflt '
men in the state. . .
I have the pleasure to hand hereld th a bound copy of the first two volumes of the '
pu,?lications €If this series for th~ ~ibrary of ~he ~llegeo
In connection with ' this system, there is a ' telegraph series by- means ot which daily
weather warnings 'are sent a1:1 'over the StatllJ of Alabama, Georgia, and par ts of Florida,
Tennessee, and South Carolina. " ,
These predictions cover a period for 24 hours and foretell the approach of v4.o1ent
storms, besides ordinary atmospheric changes. In most sections, this part of the
-system has 'g1vel'l great satis!a?tion.
To facilitate this wrk,' I reque sted the manager ot the Soutliiern ,Telegraph Company
to plme an instrument in 'lIlY office and at my own expense I had a line run from the
college to the depot to receive the Jle~lsages from the-Chief Sigmai Officer with the
least' delaY possible. For the' use of the ' room: in' the college, the' companY has '
consented that the C011ege send' messages to the neighDoring cities tree of charge.
Mr. Harvard Lamar, a former graduate of thi s Instituti€ln, is the operator and is also
assistant in the wOrk of the weather serViaJ. 'It was' my privilege to ' attend the
conference-I of meteorologists that assembled in Washington. city list Februa-ry' and take
qui te an active part in the proo eedings. " . '.' ... '
~ ..... _ f
l It was gratify;1.mg tonots the interest ,taken. in the )IOrk of the weather ' se~ice of
this state • . At my suggestion, the question of sigmls was brought before tile body
and discussed. IlII.de an effo~t :t-o have t,p.e Alabama. codel'!3cognized as the official
systeJl. A permanent committee was aPpointed on which I ,was ,placed. To this, "
committee va,s referred the SIlbject ,of testing and compa:ring: , ~he t-wo syste~s, Alabama
and Ohio, now in €Iperati on, through the United States; wit~ the re~ommendat:!-on to j.he
Ch:if 'Signal Officer to adopt the , code , foum ,:t.o",be.,the mo$t simple, an.:d ' efficie:qt.. -It
gives me p1easu~ ,to state tlilat the almost: unanimous vote af the co·nference was in
favor of the Al~bama signal. i •.
!me Chief Signal Ofh.cer i~ now, investig'atii)g t~~ ~tter at tl:le ,~equest of the comm~~
tee as the cir?U1ars accomi>anY:i,.ng :this report will show.
The one hundred dollars appropriated by the Board for PI?nting the bulletrn s' of .this
service have been ~ used" as t.he report of the Treasurer will show. '
~ ... .
NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT - The classes in biology are so large I , have ,divided them
int.o sections in order , to furnish each student a microscope and 'work table. Fer the
purpo~e of abviating this mu1tip1ication . .of w~rk, . I respectfully ,ask ~e appropriation
"'of $150 with whic~ to purchase addit;iona1 macrosGopes anCil c,hemi.c als. ' . , "
, ") "., ~
T~e sinn of $100 :r s tasked forr:the weather ' serviq:l to defray the expense of printing
the bulletins. ,A paper .cutter is n.eeded in the ,offie,e. 'AD appNpriation of "$150 is
asked ' ror this purpose. There shoUld also be a sum of $hoo appropriated for printing
office to cover :pecessary expenses for the. next sessi.on.
perm,i t m~ td . thaiuc you. for the ' ini~re... st YOll have, 'always m.a nife sted . in ' mY wo-. rk and tor the "ords of ,symp..a. thy and encouragement. you have . }a lways , so rapidly extended. . ..... ..
Respectfully S1IDndtted,
P. H. Me11, Jr.
28.
Report of the Department of Mechanic
Dr. W. L. Broun, President
Alabama Polytechnic Insti tu te
Sir: ...
The department of mechanic arts has been established and successful operation during
the past year. Sufficient funds were aVpilable to complete only the' wood' working
shop but that has been thoroughly equipped with the most' appropriate tools and
machinery, and taking into consideration that this has. been ·the first year. of the
existence of a department of manual training in an Alabama College, it has been a
success-.
. .
Of the room which the department now occupies, 50 x ' 90 feet under Langdon Hall, onehalf
is fitted up for the wood working shop, the remairuier being reserved for the
machine shop (metal working) which will be needed .to complete the department • . '.
The power ror ' running the apparatus in ·this .department is derived from a 25 h~rse
power Harris-Corliss aJltomatic engine, which is. suppli.ed with steam'by a ~. horse
po1fer steel horizontal' tubular boiler of most approved design. A Deane steam pump
and heater for the feed water form a part of the steam appantus.
, -
The equipment in the wood working deparj;ment compriJ5es the followings ro · wood working
benches, each wit}l a - colllplete set of carpenters tQols; Ip turning lathes 10 inch' swing
30 in. between centers each with complete se:);. of ' tools; 1 double circular saw; 1 band
saw; 1 board planing machine; 1 buzz planer; 2 scroll saws (power); 1 large pattern
maker; 16 in. swing 4 feet between centers 134 in. grind sto~e. In a~dition to these,
the toolroom is supplied a variety of extra. hand tools for special work.
. ... ' ". "I • _ '
The- course in the wood. working shop has been, obligajoo'ry upon all students of the
4th class <as many as 'could ,be accommodated), each class working? ho~rs per week,
three exerc~ses of ~ hours each, wIP-le to a special cl,ass of students. from the upper
classes particularly interested' in the subject hasrbeen given a special course of .
'lectures and' liOrk in elementary inechan~cal engineering.
. past
The total number of students who have taken shop work during the/year is 93 - divided
among the classes as follows - 4th class, .41; . sub 4th, 26; special, 26. Not more than
04 out of the 93 we're takiIig the cours,e a~ anyone time, however • . At , the close of
the session on June 16th, the number in shop work was 54 as follows: 4th class, 26;
sub 4th, 14; speCial 14. Of these 54, 37 students started at the beginning of the
year, the remainder having come in at the Chri,stmas recess.
The course of . work which has been pursued by the two regular classes (4th & sub 4th)
du~ng the year ~as con5i~ed 'of:
I. A co~rse in carpentry (hand work) covering -the first term and part of the second,
or about five mo~ths. The lessons include instruction on the nature and use of tools,
elementary work with plane, saw chisel, etc., different kinds of joints, timber
splices, crop . joints, ~rtise and terman"used _in construction, ~ter and frame work,
doveii~il work cOlJlPrisin~ di:rf&~nt -kinds of joints used in cabinet making, etc.
II. A course in tuming, c01'ering the first 3 months of the 2nd tam'. The lessons
comprise first, nature and use of lathe tools, etc. Cylindrical turning, caliper
'wrk turning to different diameters anei lengths, silllple curves, compound curves,
screw plate work, rosette turnirig, chuck work, hollow and' spherical tUrning, etc'.
These exercise,s , are given in a series of regular graded lessons"and wl').ich in their
selection, fitness for instruction is the main object sought, yet the interest of the
student is always kept in view and to this and during the 2nd tsra the carpentry and
turning have been alternated (a month on each) so that by giving' .:Variety to ·the WOrk,
the interest may be kept up •• The practical' nature .of th.e exercise is ' also consid,ered,
nearly all the joints, etc. given, being in common use in building construc~i0n and
cabinet making. Besides the lessons, much of the repairs and improvements about the
shop have been done by the ,student,s, thus giving thElll further practical instru.ction.
, .
One month was spent in mechanical drawing for the purpose of giving them ' instruction
in reading and interpretingtbe shop drawings and sketches from which"1essons are madeo
, '
All instruction is given 1st by blackboard drawings or sketches which the stUdent
copies 'With dimensions in a note book, which each one provides himself,; thus, ' each one
works from his own notes. This supplemented whenever necessa:ry by the actual Construction
of the les~n by the 'instructor before the class, by inspection and
direction at each by the instructor.
The.; special class made up, of students o'f the upper cla~ses has been given a course of
instructia'~ consisting of 1st, a.seri~s of lectures on eleme]!tary steam. engineering,
supplemented by experiment and practice 'With the apparatus of the deJ)8.rtment', including
steam generation and the nature and use of the steam boiler and its accompanying
l!-pparatu~; steam as a motive power and the forms, construction and use of the steam
engine ~wtth the study and use of the 'indicator. 2nd. r"A course of shop work carpentry,
turning, etc. This partbbeing shorter than for the.lower classes. It is proposed as
the departmmt developes to make this finally a regular course in mechanical engineering.
A complete course in mechanic arts usually consists of several. departments, as follows:
1st, wo od working - carpentry" turning and pattern making ! · 2nd ~ foundry work - '
mulding and casting. 3rd ,forging - smith work; 4th machine woIk in me,tals, 'Chipping
and filing. ' '
Thus far only ten wood workoing departments have been completed ani it 'is greatlydes{red
in order to make a success .of this subj'ect of applied mechanics or a branch of , ' '
education to complete the o.th'er departments as rapidly as possible so tliat the lwork
successfully begun during the past year may be carried on. '
'- '
For the forge and foundry departments a new building will be needed a.nd i.t is prepared
to erect just north of the f>resen t boiler house a plain brick building '70 , x ,~ feet
(inside) one story high with monitor roof (for ventialtionand light) as :pet accompaDYingsketch.
This divide<!. Vross the middle by a brick pa.rtiti~ri wall will give ~tl!iO
rooms each 35 x 30 feet, one fOk forge shop accomodating 12 forges, the other for the
foundry wi th room for 12" 'moUlding benches, the cupola, furnace and space for costing.
As was- said above; it is prop?sed -to establ~sh: the ' machine snop. in the unoccupi!,d
half of the room under Langdon -Hall. ' '
Wi th the department complet~din all its branche s, the course in mechanic arts will
be as follows:" 0 t
1st year, 5th class - wood working, carpentr;r turning and pattern making.
2nd year 4th class, machin~ ~ ~hqp chipping, filing, machine work in ~e}al~
, Below is a detailed estimate of the expense of building and equipping the other -
departments. " I
. 30.
For ge Shop' .Equipment:
12 forges COmIylete; . each $35.00
12 anvils 'and sets of tool's, 'ea. $13.75 ' ) <special:
tools
blower
blast. and smoke pipes'
FOlmdry Eqliipment: · ,
Cupola furM.ce "
12 moulding benches with tools
special tools, clacks, ladle's, etc.
crucible furnaoe .
eoal oven
Freights estimated
.. t 420.00
. 165.00.
, ~.oO . ·"
. 45.00 '
1500 00
475.00
70.00
~ 45.00
15.00
2O~00
, Running expenses of wood shop, foundry and _forge shop for one yr.
~teTials for wood shop·,fotUidry'· and forge 'shop:, ' est. · t "C -
Coal for Qoiler, 1 year . .
. $1250.00
800.00
625.00
225.00
... 225.00' est.
200.00 '
1500 00".c. r
I · .,.-auld respectfully state that with the completion of tl:ie Jforge andf0und~':depts.,
:it will not- b~ possible for one .person· tao give ' all ·the' instruction required, and give
proper attention to the students. . . " r
6 maCbine 'lathe~, ,each.2BQ
2 ·h;and. . ..J.~the s, ea-ch .. $&>
1 drill press, 25 in
1 drill press, 15 in
. 1 shaping machine
milling machine '
p1anine machine .
emery gltieder
emery tool grinder
12, vises 'at '$10.00 ea
2 chucks, 12. in • . -
_ .3 . dril.J., chucks
'}
Machine Shop Equipment . .
drills, files, cbisels; ~.tco
$ . 1)80.'00
120.00
370.00
110.00
300.00- •
360.00 ' ..
410.00
,~ 30.0Q
1200 00
. '120.00
&>.00
'20.00:
100000
Expenditu~,s in the Dept .• , of Mechanics, fram . June 15tl:l, 1885, 1.0 Jupe ,15, 1886.
Construction, boiler house and setting chimney, a.nd · engine foundati,im. ~
Bricks
Lime, cement, etco
Mason work
Tin roof
Lumber
Carpentry
Frt. drayag~, eto o
Boiler
fixtures
frt. & drayage
, $ . 149.47
47 0 00
205.00
. ' 46.26
13.16 "
. 6.00',
147.26
376.00
63.59
110.25
,
. 614.87
549.84
31
I Engine . $1000. 00
Frt. and Drayage 95.15 1095~15
Ind:i:a.tor 50.00 40. 00
Planimeter 13. 30 13 . 30
Pump 150.00
Frt. -and Drayage 11.00 161. 00
Heater .. 42. 50
Frt. and Drayage 6. 61 49011
Shafting, belting, pulleys, etc. 420 .. 00
Frt. and Dr~e 36. 85 436. 85
Hachines 125. 50
Hand Saw 174.00
Circular Saw 112.00
Surface planes 84. 00
buzz planer 49.00
large lathe 788.00
16 small lathes each 49. 25 50 .00
2 scroll saws 49.00
Grindstone 122. 23 1557. 73
Frt. and Drayage 4542.05
20 double benches each 13. 45 269. 00 269.00
20 vises each 5. 25 105.00 105.00
Frt. and drayage 11.55 11. 55 385. 55
To ols
20 sets carpentry tools each 9. 50 190.00
16 sets fencing ~ools each 4. 20 67020
Special tools 170. 93
Frt. and drayage 33. 17 461. 30
Forge (hand) 2) . 00 ' -
Anvil 7.00 27. 00 .
Piping 214. 39
Frt. and drayage . 13. 54 227. 93
well , labor, b~cks , etc. 85. 45
Lumber 33.09
Labor--carpenters 228.37
IJ,abor--common 68 . L!.7 296. 8L
Supplies 166. 25-
Frt . and drayage not speciii ed above
T'otal expenditures --13~ in construction 1285. 76
- , Running Expenses
Supplies 121. 65 Coal 117 . 50 Labor--Engine~rs 169~50 . 164. ;b Common 2. 30 25. 55 Carpenters 25. 55 2. 30
32
Lumber for classwork
Frt. and drayage ,
.
Total expenditure~ of Dept.
"
38. 75
7. 85
$478 . 10
$1736. 26
Re spe ctfully" submitted,
G. H. Bryant, M. E.
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
A & M CO~~GE .
Auburn, Alabama, June 28, 1886
Dr. W. L. Broun, President
I submit the following brief repor~ of my work, during the sessions just closed.
In the School of Agr~culture
The number in attendance in the sonhomore class has. been reduced by the fact
that this study in that class is mqde entirely optional with the students-many
of whom come .with a prejudice ,against the study of agriculture. The total
number instructea. d:urihg the year has been f 'orty-two .. -divided, a s follow.s:
Sophomore class
Junior ,t
Senior
23
10
9 42
Only one student has made any degre.e of proficiency in the ,.two .part course in
agriculture . I respectfully SQgge~t there is PO demand for this cour se and
that it be therefore dispensed wit11 •
.
The senior and junior class have g~ven me most satisfacotry work. ; Tpis pession
closed with only nine in the sopho~ore class, some of whom made reasonably good
progress.
Practical Work
Less of this has b'een required than was anticipated at the opneing of the session,
owing to the want of. proper equipment, time and opportunity, ~t is .no.t practicabl e
to employ cadets in educational work on the experiment grounds owing to the
necessity for bas{llg the work done upon experiments done in exactly the same
manner and as nearly as possible ,up.on the same day--having the calss _two hours
three times a wee~ wi l l not adjus~9f such emploJ~ent for them.
As far as practicable the calsses have been re~uired to perform such yo~k as was
education in its character and this is as far as I think it profitable to the
stUdent.
•
33
Experiment Station
My work in this department is rapidly developing into proper proportions md
and brings with such development largely increased demands upon my time.
I have not published as words of the material already on hand as was desirable
owing to the almost constant demands upon my perSonal attention in the f~d
and lecture room. All material derived from results of experiments completed will
be prepared and presented for publication during the first month of vacation and
in future results wi ll be given to the public in smaller reports as fast as
ascertained.
Permanent Improvements
Much of the time o'r the force employed on the station has been devoted to work
of this character, such as clearing pi ne thickets, filling gullies, '
building' dam to furnigh head for hydraLU lic saw, bulding fences, planting
orchards, vineyards, etc.
The Force Employed
Foreman '
Gardner
4 laborers each
Wages per worker
25. 00
240 00
12. 00
The experiment of detailing a member of the senior class to assist in making
and recording daily observations has been very satisf~ctory . As the work
progresses and becomes more capable of classification, I hope to be permitted
~o utilize ,a number of the class each year, paying very small compensation
for services rendered.
Such work is very improving to the students and is of such a character as to
require science trained men to perform it with the neces-sary degree of accuracy.
As far as practicable the junior and senio~ classes are trained to habits
of observation and the objects~ arrangements, and progress of experiments
explained ' to them in the field.
Experiments Completed
In cotton
corn
melons
cane
oats
cotton
corn
tobacco
oats
whRt
grasses and
sugar cane
In Progress -1886
59(published in Bulletin C}
52
13
3
5
97
53
34
24
12
other forage' plants 69
10
34
sweet potatoes
Irish po ta toe s
In' addition to the se there are in progress on the
Horticulture Grounds '
38
9 _
3Ii8
A great variety of eXperiments with fruits and vegetable s. Those
gation
42 varieties of pears 112 trees
4) " " apples 86 " lL,. II plums 164 II
7 1/ cherries 14 II
6 " mulberries 12 II
40 II peaches 119 " 3 1/ quinces r- 6 It
1 II apricots 2, II
2 If necterines 4 II
52 " grapes 775 v.ines
53 IJ~ straWberrie s 636 vines
25 II raspberrie s 200 vine.s
... 2121
under investi-
Besides ' them 25 varieties of canteloupes and 9 of water melons and a number of
varieties of all the species of garden vegetables are under. i nvestigation as
to producti on and quali~ .
Those enumberated are investigation of the root development of one ' variOus_ plants
u.Tlder cultivati on with a vi8"li to more intelli gent c1}ltivation and fertilization •
. As this can only be done by washing the soil from the roots, additional command
of whater is required. For this purpose I desire to conduct water by means of
an -hydraulic saw to the horticultr,U' grounds. -Such water faciliti e s are not only
neces8r,y for the above named purpose, but will be indisp ensa~~e for the purpose
of the nursery and floral departments 1.vhich are to be added to this divisions
of the "!.vork in the near future .
As fast a s plants are taken up with their entire roof surface frames should
be provided for their permanent preservation that they may be utilized in the
lacture room for the instruction of my calsses and at fairs for the inf ormation
of farmers.
Financ'ial
Receipts f rom all sources
Total expenditures
Balance unexpended 4ilne 18, 1886
RespectfullY' submitted
$3257.80
2804.27
, 453. 53
J . S. Newman, ProfessOr of Agriculture
|
|---|
