The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-07-25

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! VOLUME ~,
TEN sTATH ulsIvn1s1rY.
We have recently noticed several ar
ticles concerning University matters i,
different newspapers Of the State, an,
we observe with regret indications 8
trouble and discord among the profes
sors, which, If continued, cannot fail /,
work . serious injury to tho institu
ti0n.
Inasmucl as this institution Of learn
ing belongs to the people Of the State
and derives its support from the pub
lie purse, its affairs are proper subject
for discussion and comment BY tn,
press.
The parties named in connection
with the recent troubles are the Presi.
dent, Rev. Thacher, and Professor
Hinrichs, who occupies the chair o.
Physical Science. Mr.. Thacher has 90
cupied the Presidency little over !
year. He has, we understand, had NO
experience calculated to at him for his
present position. The progress in ed
ucational matters since he attended
college has been very great, and it ID
not surprising that minister should
failito fully keep pace with these ad-
vances. Itwould be indeed remarla-
bic If he could step at once from his
profession, to the successful leadership
Of . great institution, where al the
liberal arts and sciences must Of neces-
sity play 80 important part. That he
should fail to appreciate the true posi-
ton and value of scientific education
is natural.
Professor Hinrichs has the reputation
Of . thinker and investigator OF unusu-
al ability and originality; scholar Of
great learning, and an exceedingly sue
cessful and popular instructor. He has
been connected with the University
about ten years, and has become thor
oughly identified with it, in name and
interest. he has, by indefatigable ex-
ertions built up . department which,
in proportion to itsmeans, is unrivalled
in efficiency. Under his direction
scientific studies have acquired great
importance and interest in the Univer.
sity. Tho pfoportion, Of students pur-
suing them has, we are informsd,
steadily increased, untillately the num-
Der has been in excess of the sccommo-
dations.
Professor Hinrichs has, during this
time, won the esteem and admiration
of the students, who have taken every
occasion TO express their feeling, and
notably during the last commencement.
He has given to the University, we be-
lieve whatever reputation it possesses
outside of the State, and made for him
self name honored among scientific
men of both continents. His private
life and character are above rcproach.
Very grave reasons must be adduced
before the people Of this State will be
willing to lose SO able and valuable an
instructor. They appreciate the nu-
merous practical benefits conferred by
science, and recognize the civilizing and
progressive tendency Of scientific in
vestigations, and they want their chill
drcn properly and thoroughly instruct
ed in these branches.
1t is urged in some quarters, and mo-
tably by the Burlington Harkeye, as q
reason for dispensing with 1Iinrich's
services, that his theological views are
at variance with those generally re-
ceived. We believe he has never pub
lished his opinions on this subject, and
we do not know what they are. Nor
do we see what his religious notions
have to do with his occupancy Of
chair:.in the University. This is State
institution, over which religious de-
nominations have no control. In re-
ligious matters it should be as free,
both to professors and students, as the
great commonwealth whose creature It
is. What is wanted is professors who
are competent to teach the branches
assigned them, and their fitness is not |
to be measured by their standing in
theology, the teaching of which is not
expected or desired. It should be dis
tinctly understood that the State Uni
versity is not UNCONVENTIONAL school,
nor theological school of any kind |
but place where the sons and daugh-
ters of the State are to get the most
useful and practical knowledge of the
various arts and sciences which consti-
tute modern liberal culture.
It should be understood that any
thing Ike sectarian bigotry or religious
interference will not be tolerated with
in Its walls, and it behooves the Re-
gents, as representatives of the whole
people, If there be any indication of
this tendency, TO take such action as
will administer speedy rebuke and
unequivocal condemnation Of such a
spirit.
We justly boast the religious freedom
Of our State. Lett be permitted to no
man to say that its chief public institu-
ton OF learning is less free
|. JssiaA =. Yeung.
From the Montssuma Republican.
| For Secretary of State, there is no
man now before the people as o can.
didate that is receiving more general
endorsement by the press throughout
the State, than Josiah T. Young, of
Monroe county. Mr.. Young is very
popular at home and is now serving
his third term as Clerk of the District
Court in his county, Should the
present incumbent be displaced at the
Convention, therci Is no man now be-
fore the people for the position, whom
we would rather see nominated than
Josiah I. Young.