Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-03-16
Communications.
Correspondence OF the Charles City Inteilgencer.
Iowa State University.


Iowa CRY, March lst, 1865.
FRIEND HrLpRErH - Some people
speak of using" or taking up" the
silent pen. l never use that kind of a
tool, when in the mixture and both
Grafton of human affairs" it becomes
necessary to employ the pen instead of
the tongue. 1t should be talkative,
communicative and say something, or
else it's substitute fails to accomplish
the objects and purposes of its princi-
pal Philosophically, these premises
are so. propose, then, to let my old
gray goose tell the numerous readers
ofyour valuable paper something about
the Iowa State University, located at
this place.
This institution of learning is divi-
ded into three departments; prepara-
tory, normal and university proper.
The first department is to prepare stu
dents for the different departments of
the university proper. In this de-
partment l observe students of all
ages and growth-some large, over
grown persons, others small, diminu-
i've, infnitesimal. The normal depart
ment is exclusively devoted to the ed
ucation of teachers. They are requir-
ed to make declaration of their intt,oHE-
ton to engage in the business of teach
ing in the schools of the State of Iowa.
When we consider, Mr. Editor, that
in the common school rooms the struc-
ture and ground work of the character
of our people are moulded and formed,
can there be placed in the school room
stronger weapon than competent
teacher? Are our school rooms pro-
vided with this class of instructors
for one would not hesitate to say no
1t is shamefully too true that many OF
our teachers, some naturally, but more
educationally, are absolutely unfit for
the duties and responsibilities of their
profession. We want higher stand
ard Of education--a better class ol
teachers. How shall we get them
By persons specially qualifying them
selves for that particular occupation
Among the many excellent schools
in our State to give increased eff
cheney to the training Of teachers, few
equal and none excel the normal de
partment Of the Iowa State Univer
sity. ..
In the University proper is wher,
students receive classical and scientif
ic strokes, such as higher mathematics
belleslettres, ancient and modern Ian
guages, sc. But as never expect t,
have anything to do with these " fix
ems" unless l catch them as some peo
pie do the measles from their being
around" will not write anything
. about this department, more than t,
say that, .. NJ. Spencer, who is Presi
dent Of the University. has, associate,
with him, learned corps of profes
sors. They ali appear to be western
! men, open, frank, generous and demo
cratic.
The University occupies the elegan
stone building erected for q Stat
House, and large four story bricl
building designed for public halls an,
lecture rooms. So far as | am able t
Judge, the rccitations are conducte,
with strict regard to the mental disc
, plinc Of the students. the development
of the intellectual and moral faculties
and the formation Of correct habits @
thought and study These are the lead
ing objects of every recitation in al
the departments of the University. Tn
. number of students attending this in
! stitution at present is, 390-23o fe
: males, 100 males.
> Over fifty counties of this State ar
!. represented in this school. The ez
r pcnses Of living, including board
| fuel and lights, are about FIVE dollar