The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-01-20


the college building was dedicated,
the officers inauguratcd, and the first
session regularly opened. ORe hun.
dred and thirty young men and thir
ty young women were in attendance.
The session continued with two hun.
dred different pupils through two
terms of sixteeR weeks each, and
closed for the winter October 2Sth
shortening tho regular year one
month, for the purpose Of making
additions to the heating apparatus
which was found insufficient. Two
classes were formed freshman and
preparatory, Two principal courses
ofstudy have been arrangod-that OF
agriculture and that Of mechanic arts
-composel mainly OF the sciences
which undcrlie these Professions
Besides these, four subordinate cour-
ses OF study arc proposed "a normal
oonrsc, q commercial course, Il course
IN civil engineering, and ladies'
course. The progress of tho pupils
hiss boon thus FIR in the highest de-
gree satisfactory. The faculty is at
present compOSedof q president, three
professors and three Instructors.
Tn vaue of the landed cndow-
ncnt may bc estimated at $500, 900
and that OF the College building and
furniturc, professors dwellings,, the
farm with all its improvements, the
stock, cash on hand, &C., at $3.50 900
making in all S75O,000. The income
for the past year has been $4,000.
The college will reopen on the 9th
OF March next, and while there are
rooms for one hundred and sixty pu'
pills only, | am advised that two
hundred and seventy five applica-
lions for places have already been
made, and, i: there were sufficient
accommodation, more than three
hundred pupils would be in atten-
dance next year Additional bull
dings for public rooms and dormito-
ries are therefore imperatively
needed for the full development Of
this institution, There is, moreover,
necessity for n laboratory and
workshop, for more professors
houses, and for further facilities for
farm improvements. These enlarge
ments and additions, without which
the growth of the College will be
checked, will call for an appropria-
ton ofnot less than $4,000.
The income of the College arises
from lease ofIands granted by Con-
grcssf)r the supportand maintenance
of u college OF agriculture and the
mechanic arts, all of which lands are
now leased. 1t Is ample to provide
for the instruction of at least 500 pu-
pills, and can be legally used only for
detraying the expenses Of instruction
, and for the purchase of libraries illus
trative apparatus. By the express
terms Of the Congressional grant, no
part Of the principal or income can,
upon any rretense whatever, be used
for buildings or the repairs of bull
dings. Hence the necessity of furth-
er aid from the state.
would recommend that the
Boards Of Trustees, both of this
College and the University, be en-
largea by the addition thereto, of the
Observation-Disclosures and the Super
intcadent Of Public Instruction.
SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME.
First Of tho sisterhood ofthe States
to recognize the justice and uecessi-
ty OF making suitable provision for
the care and education of the chill
dron of the soldiers of the late war,
our State still contributes largely of
its resources in aid of this branch of
phiIanthropic effort. Three Homes
are provided, at which twelve hum
dred and ten Of these wards of the
State have at various times found
shelter, care and education seven
hundred and seventy three being the
number in attendance on the first of
November last. These children have
here the benefit of q common school,
combined with tho advantages of a
home.
improvements have been made in
the property ut all the points. A
new building has been erected, at o
cost Of S25 600, at Cedar Falls, where
forty acres of land was given to the
State another building has been
erected at Glenwood, where sixteen
acres Of land were decided to the
State and accommodation have been
provided Tor 125 children; and a
Chapel has been built at Davenport.
The total expenditures the past term
amounted to S244, 177.O6 and the
receipts were from the state S241,-
69S 81 from donations, S2,549.25 /:
from former balances, $1,3o7 .35 /; in
all, S245, 555.l4. For improvements
during tho next two years an allow
ancc OF 81. 200 is asked.
The Superintendent. and other
officers of these Homes are, it is be-
lieved, faithful and efficient in the
discharge Of their duties, laboring
earnestly for the good of those in.
trusted to their charge, and duly
sensible of the responsibilities of
their positions. The children, too
seem to be properly cared for and
comfortably kept.
In the visits l have made to these
institutions during my term of Office
! have become impressed with the
belief that the cottage plan of pro
viding for these children, such as
prevails at tho Davenport Home, is
much preferable to what I might call,
in contradistinction, the "hotel plan,"
under which great numbers of the
children are congregated together in
q single house. This institution in
order to realize the highest conccp-
ton Of its usefulness, should approx
innate as closely as possible in
character to that of the home OF
well-ordered family. Iapprehend the
correctness of this position will be
admitted by all. La furtherance of
this view, | would suggest the iol.
ing measures
FSrst-A diminution of the num-
Dor OF the inmates Of the Home, by
securing suitable homes in good fam
lies for those who in tho opinion of
tho officers of the institution could
thus properly be cared for.
,Secoad-A more precise definition
by statute Of the proper children to
be received at the Home. The de-
l