New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-17
NEEDS OF The C1TY'S UNIVERSITY.
AN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE.

THE WORK OF FIFTY YEARS REvIEwED-MoNEY
NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD.
The Council of the University of the City of New
York, through o committee consisting of Charles
Butler, William A. Wheeock and Peter Carter, has
issued memorial reviewing the history of the
University in its various fields and appealing for
aid for the institution, placing the aggregate sum
required for present emergencies at $250,0OO The
document is signed by the president John Taylor
Johnston, the Chancellor dd interim. the Rev.
DR.. John Hall, and the committee. The
memorial begins with the statement that with the
current year the University of the City of NewYork
closes the first half century of It's existence. The
approach of this anniversary invites us to a con-
scientious review of its operations during the last
fifty years and to a serious contemplation of our
responsibilities in the future" During the last half
century the university has been adapting itself, to
the extent of its resources, to the existing and pro-
spective intellectual wants of the city. 1t is
doubtful, the committee states, if any
collegiate institution has contributed
moro to the advance of science by
important discoveries. BY the genius of one pro-
lessor the problem Of electric teegraphy was solved
by the genius of another the first daguerreotypes
of the human countenance werejtaken by processes
eIperimcntally discovered in tho university lab
and of other celestial bodies were monuments of the
genius of third those other discoveries in as
Economical photography, and especially that of the
existence of oxygen in tho sun, rank among the
most important of our era"
" 1t would be difficult" tho committee continues
to name an equal number of discoveries made
by any one or by all the universities
in tine world during the last fifty
years, that have exerted a more extensive in
huence upon the relations Of man in society," or have
opened so much new territory to the explorations
of science" The graduates the memorial states
lend distinction to many of the highest judicial
positions in the city, State and Nation notably in
the contributions of two of them to the preparation
OF the codes Of the State and of the United States
Government. In the ministry the Unversity's
contribution have been most LIBERAL The Uni
vcIsity has secured not only ample discipline for
the mind, but beyond this a moral aud spiritual
development" winch should qualify students "for
the yet higher responsibilities and duties OF
an immortal soul" Accordingly. the proper
ton Of alumni engaged in the ministry
is large, nearly 80 being occupied in tins calling
In addition the schools OF law aud medicine have
achles ed results calling FOR cOngratulatIon.
Yet the council says the more pride felt in the
work accomplished, the more sensible was the Uni
yeislty of the cmbairas>mcnts with which It had
TO contend. The University was IN better condi-
lis tOuudors. 1t was most fortunate in pos
seSsug buildings not only attractive aud COM
handing III appearance but central and
capable oI accommodating largely Increased num-
Der of Students here WAS also corps of pro-
fessors who would be "a substantial acquisition to
any college IN the country" Win 50 much
to be thankful for the university stands IN great
and immediate need Of financial enforcement" |
tic council states The memorial continues as fol-
lows:
InadeqGatcy endowed al the commencement by IT'S |
charter disqualified tor cnliftng ia is favor the special
OF any particular religious the uni
OF pccunidry Dependence which has Impaired
funcas aud retarded It's legitimate Development. It's
They have not b"cn At liberty to adj to their scientific
apparatus 10 tue extent which the constant advance la
tx penmenial amt applied science rendered de |
slIdblc. Inc library could not De kept up |
90 should be Tor such institution and favorable
oppOrtune, Tor cnlarclng renc1 wing aud mOdernAng
the collections u scientific instruments have had to be
inis not as It should he Among the English speak
Ing cities OF the world New York IAN rs sec,.d N bonn
his her education regret to say holds 40 cor
responding rank Yet what expenditure OF money would
re- OF all ncr citizens, than tho moderate which
would De- required properly TO equip THIS institution IN
Ali It's departments ana cmancpatc Its faculty all
area save those which innic to the honor aud useful
Icss Of the Institution which they serve.
Hence, for enlarged educatlOna. privileges and
specially Tor appdI aus to illustrate recent progress
In chemical. electrical and physical science Tor
.auuHId books illustrating the lectures OF each pro-
lessor, the University needs aid. The memorial
goes On:
Besides these specific Objects an addition OF 100000
@ The general fluid OF tho UUyersity tue income OF
" uCh added 10 is pTtsc revenue VIII stability
and ptrmauehce, ana enable the council enlarge tue
scheme oi Instruction ana pay reasonable salaries to
Professors.
Communications relative TO tho matter may be
addressed 10 tho subscribing committee.
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