Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-06-26

| Neylin. The choice was an unfortunate on
as it turned out, for MIR. Newlin never sue
ceeded IN uniting the faculty or of winniu
the confidence of the students. But it woul
| be unjust to attribute to him th
blame of closing the college. The rea
cause which must sooner or later have pro
duced that effect waB the ill-advised scholar
ship scheme. Some have supposed that tn
! homicide of young Roach which took place II
| March 1858 WAS tho immediate cause OF tbl
suspension OF the college, but this il
erroneous, for the only connection between
the two events was IN the order Of time the
one followed the other. 1t Ii good iilustra
ton of the logical fallacy OF false cause
Post poe, ergo propter hoe. This homicide
was, indeed, II dreadful act but it was the re
suit OF sudden aflrAy and was not murder
such occurrences have taken place in Other
institutions, but although thoy have boeu III,
furious they have never proved ruinous. Iu
this case spirit of fairness would conAtra,n
Us to say that no blame could be imputed Ia
the members of the faculty. The college
would have continued but for its pecuniHry
complications.
President Newlln resigned in 1859 and
steps were taken to close the college. The
certificates of scholarship were called in and
redeemed. The meeting OF tho board at
which action was taken to close up the
operations OF the college was the first ever
attended by tine present president of the
faculty iii his capacity OF a trustee. II was
as you may feel assured, very painful duty
to be performed by one who had been proud
to hail the college ~ his alma mater. But
Delaware College did not die. Sho slept-ur
at most II WAS only case of suspended am
nation. Her resurrection came III 1870 and
would probably have come earlier but FOR the
devastating effects OF the civil war
AT a SPECIAL meeting Of the board OF trus-
tpHa held nm the 18th pf Ealrunry lSG7 rnun-
lutions were adopted proposing to tho Legis-
lature to reorganizo the college with an
agricultural department, and to make the
branches related to agriculture a leading
feature OF the institution.
The Legislature granted charter on these
conditions, and the board OF trustees was
constituted with 30 members one-half of
whom should be appointed by the governor
aud tho other represent the old board which IL
self -perpetnating. one undivided half Of The
buildings and grounds were to buCanip lt.i.
property of the state The State MAS, alsU.tu
have the right Of appointing through tho
members OF her Legislature 80 students to
free scholorships, i, u. to scholarships which
should exempt the appointee from the charge
Tor tuition. The new board met and organ
lied January 22d, 1863. Rathmel Wilson,
Esq, WAS elected president, the Hon. John
Hickman vice president, and George Il.
Evans, Esq, secretary.
In May, 1870, the trustees elected Il faculty
to consist of four members with the writer
of this paper rs its president. The Rev.
William ID. Mackey, also graduate Of the
college, was elected to the chair Of mathe-
matics and ancient languages.
The curriculum was very much the same as
under the old organization except that the
agricultural feature was added. For some
time past it has formed part of the scien-
tito course. The college opened III Septenl-
Der, 1870, with % students, which number
was Incl eased during the term TO %. Iu 1873
there were three graduates in the scientific
course, that course being at that time limited
to three years-it is now four years like that
of the classical
In 1872 the board OF trustees amended its
bylaws by providing for the admission of
young ladies to the college, and established
the literary course. The first class admitted
to the new course consisted of six young
ladies, three OF whom graduated in due time.
The young ladies attend the college classes
but board out in the town
AT hrst the scientific and agricultural and
the literary courses were confined to three
} ears, but they are now extended to embrace
four years and run parallel with the classical.
There was for 4 short time a normal course
III the college, but this was abandoned on
account of the failure of the Legislature to
make an appropriation. The chemical labor
atory is used by the professor OF chemistry,
who is ex-oiiicio the State chemist for the
analyses of fertilizers manufactured or sold
in the State of Delaware
The whole number Of graduates from 1896
to 1850 was N, all classical from 1850 to
1853, 1870 classical and - scientific, and
the whole number of graduates from l773
(the first graduating year under the new or
ganlzatlon) to the present year, inclusive, is
lOO-2o OF whom were classical 36 scientific,
81 literary and normal
This III most gratifying exhibit when we
take into consideration the dlsproportiUnAte
increase OF collegiate institutions and the
magnificent endowments many
OF them have obtained i'll this time. ALSO
allowance must be made for the fact that
Delaware College il now non-sectarian
Institute by the very terms of her charter aud
cannot appeal to donomnat.onal feeling for
support. We do not fear to compare results
with other colleges We think sbe can offer
to-day, after standing for 80 years. good OPP
portunitles for sound education. she has IL
good library, good philosophical apparatus,
pains taking and earnest Instructors three
literary societies, aud il situ,
ated in one of the most hualthiul and de-
liShtful sections of the country, and in az
and moral Il people rs the Lord ever
made. To prove that her offspring have not
degenerated We adduco as evidence the class
that graduates to-day.