Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-08-08


competent Willie the writer above quoted
says it is generally conceded that they were
Incompetence Again, lie says the expense
of the University has been much less than
100000 lie hats access TO the Treasurers
Book and could have given the exact amt
if Ire had been disposed to do it. Was it
because he was afraid2 A mere contradict
lion when he had the means OF giving IT'S the
actual figures is not satisfactory. Give lis
the fsures-Professor, salaries, Apparatus,
Library, House rent and all, and let US see
how much less than $4,000 it will foot up.
But the Most silly denials are reported in
the Iowa City Republican, The Republican
says:
at is not true that there lire detailed FOR the
coming year six Professors, four of them at salary
e $I,OCO each, and the other two at 81 200 each.
at is not true that the Professors complain that
the morals of the place and the high price Of board
prevent students from abroad from attending the
University.
off this correspondent would pay little more
reach for his communications, rather than impress
sions from his own disordered Imagination, he
would do himself more credit, and impose less upon
his reuders."
Well, Mr.. Republican, I am bound to please
you this time. Here are the facts within
my own reach The following extract from
Al letter from the Secretary of State will
probably satisfy you on that point.
August, 8, 1867.
S1R:-fn reply to your note of this inst.--
There have been six Professors employed
in the State University at salary of 81 900
each At the last meeting of the Board of
Trustees the salaries of the Professors of
Natural Philosophy and Mathematics were
increased to 81 200 each.'
E. SELLS.
Morals of the place &c. Republican VS..
Republican.
In the Republican of Jure 6 is a petition
signed by Il Committee of the Faculty of the
State University in Which they say,
"Your petitioners credibly informed that the
numb Of drinking saloons Tin Iowa City, surpasses
bclief-hat their keepers have been known to allure
boys into their shops; and then to bride them to
drink till so intoxicated that they could not turn
home without assistance also, that the Of our
first citizens, and the Of prominent christians,
have been 50 tempted by influences thus brought to
bear upon them, that they haze broken through all
restraints Of early education Of fratcrnal, a and
maternal affection, an escaping even the vigilance
OF paternal eyes, under cover Of darkness have for
the time, abandoned themselves without reserve to
scenes of drunkenness and vice.. that 'The sounds
from neighhoring ball alley daily heard in our
several recitation roors, during the hors Of instruc-
ton" and in consequence Of these things the "doors
of the University virtually closed against the
sons and daughters of the State.
"Therefore, in Justice to the people Of Iowa, we
ask you to suppress these dens Of vice. these billiard
saloons, bowling saloons, gambling saloons; liquor
saloons, and houses Ct i'll report"
High p,ice of Board, sc. In tile Report
of tile Faculty, July 9th, they say.
"se7cral eases have occurred during the 5ear past
Of individuals coming in from distance with the
express desire of attending upon he University, but
who, upon reaching this plaoe and finding the cost
of boarding, room rent. &C., to be much h:ghe,
than. they expected; have been compelled sorrowfulIy
to depart. Indeed, almost despair Of any larger
increase in number Of studentsj especially from
abroad, until the evil here indicated is in good
measure rcmovcd:''
In the case Of the Professor of Modern
Languages l was wrong, and humbly beg
the Professors pardon: Some one W as talk
ing to me while his Report was being read,
and l only heard part of it. He had two
classes, one in German and one of three il
French.
THE peopls of Iowa Cty are charged with
neglecting the Institution and feeling no in
terest in it, The fact that the first citizens
of Iowa City prefer sending their sons and
daughters to private schools and paying
good round tuition bills, to sending them to
the University for nothing is sufficient evil
dence that they have no confidence in it as
at present conducted. The Republican says
we have asserted again and again that the
Institution pnnot fairly begin its career till
its President is on the ground; and President
Dean insists tina: there is no use OF taxing
the fund with his support until he can do
some goods'
Now leave'lt With the public to Judge
whether the facts above quoted do not JUS
fifty every ASSERTION IN my present eosss'na-
nication. chmed,
First. That te University Fnna was sac
rificed by bringing their lands into market
at too ear1s fase.
Second. Thai tIle University was started
too soon.
Third. That Incompetent Teachers were
employed.
Fourth: Thatlit has not yet attained a
position which would entitle it to the appli-
catA,h of higher Institution Of Learning.
Fifth. That, wing to the morals Of the
place, the high price of board, the indiffer-
ence OFT the part Of the people of Iowa City,
the condition of Our schools throughout the
State, and the incompetency of some of the
Teachers, its future prospects were slim.
twill make one more gratuitous sugges-
ton to the Trustees f, + their consideration
and leave the subject for the present. There
have been employed during the last year in
the public schools of this State over 1900
teachers of both sexes BY far the largest
portion of which are tery poorly gu lifted
to give instruction even in the most common
branches. Now / ask the Trustees TO con
slider the matter whether the STATE would