The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-02-25
Our salem Letter.
SALEM, Feb. 16, 1871

EDITOR REGISTER Although have
signally failed for the past few weeks to
advise your readers of the progress and
prosperity of their sister city, Salem, my
shortcomings have not been in conse-
quence of unwillingncss but solely for |
want of time. The great blockade to trade, |
viz: small pox, having been removed,
our merchants are making active prepar-
ations for the spring run.
A series of sociables are being held in
Reeds Opera house for the upbuilding Of
the various churches. This week the
Baptist church afforded an opportunity for
large and appreciative audience to meet
with them for social enjoyment.
Wilson's Avenue will soon be check
cred with trees which will assist materi-
ally in ornamenting the city.
The different literary schools, of which
have spoken before, are well represents
ed with both teachers and pupils. There
is no place in the State that affords su
perior advantages to Salem for acquiring
good, substantial education. Besides
our literary advantages, it might be we'll
to speak of the medical school. This in
stitution, though yet in its infancy, is de-
cidedly a success. 1t has passed through
many uncomfortable scenes to be sure,
but with liberal hands and willing hearts
the Professors kept in view the old axiom.
'.if at first you don't succeed" &C., till
the barriers were overcome. In the first
place, when the propriety of establishing
medical school was suggested, it was suspi-
ciously viewd by those who think all big
men must of necessity eminate from big
cities. They were aware that the pro-
posed teachers were graduates of eastern
schools, and consequently were big, but
the success of such an institution of learn
ing in isolated Oregon remained to be
demonstrated. Another and greater diff
ficuIty was in securing the requisite num-
Der of competent and skilled physicians
to undertake the task Efforts were put
forth however, and eventually the doors
were opened for the reception of stu
dents but before many winters of its
existence had elapsed, changes in the
Faculty were found necessary; some of
the professors resigned to remove to
other parts, others proved themselves
incompetent either in morals or ability,
while death removed one Others were
called upon however, to fill the vacancies
aud at last the work is done. Dr. Chase,
: man of great medical worth, after pass
ing through the late war as one of Uncle
Sans Surgeons, has recently been added
to the board of teachers. TO cut mat
tiers short, this institution should receive
a hearty welcome from every one inter
! ested in the furtherance of knowledge
5 Every branch of medical science is sys-
tematically taught. Dissecting material
is furnished in abundance, giving the
students an opportunity of learning the
human frame, not only theoretically but
$ practically. Thirty lectures are siver
e each week, besides chemical. instruc,
t t5ns on Saturday. Nor is this all; from
four to FIVE nights Of the week are occu
pied in quizzing and cross questioning
students. This school is rapidly growing
in favor | understand a new house i.
$ soon to be erected for lecture room.
C shall not attempt to Iartlcuralize, but re
/. serve more extended description OF thei
> facilities for imparting medical knowledg
for future article. Yours &c., j..