The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-18
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Indiana,s Universities.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
1t is but a trite saying that Indiana is proud
of her common schools; and it should be an
her higher institutions of learning. 1t requires
but 8 short visit to any one of them
to discover that they merit the most
hearty support and patronage Of the people of
the State for the earnest effort they are making
to advance the interests of higher education.
In a recent flying trip to two of them, 1 was
much pleased with the spirit and enterprise
manifested. At DePauw, the external evidences
or growth were first seen in the many new
buildings recently erectedfor the accommodation
their growing numbers; while a run through
their laboratories, discovered, at once. that
modern educational methods in science were
appreciated. In Professor DeMotts depart.
ment OF physics, may be seen a great deal
OF fine illustrative apparatus, from the best
home and foreign manufacturers, molecular
physics, sound and electricity being especially
well provided for. In the chemical department.
Prof. Phil Baker was reveling in the perfume of
hydrogen, sulphlde and such like odoriferous
compounds, Although there is no glitter about
this department, it requires but a look through
it to show that everything here means work;
and, Notwithstanding it was a holiday,
many of the students weIe engaged in various
being built under the direction of Professor
John, was the thing, however. that most at
tracted our attention. The building, though
very plain, is SUBSTANTIALLY built and carefully ar
ranged, and evidently intended for use.
When completed, it will be furnished with a
ten-inch equatorial refractor, a fve-inch transit
instrument, mean time and sidereal clocks, cleo
trio chronograph, and all the necessary equip
ments of a working observatory. The optical
parts of the equatorial are by the famous Clark
81 Sons, of Cambridge, Mass.-a sufficient
guaranty of excellence-while the mounting Is
by a firm in Cleveland, O. The dome by the
latter firm is a model of mechanical excellence.
Though of iron, and over sixteen feet in diam
eter. it is readily ~revolved to any position by the
pressure of a finger. Tauth & Co., of Wash
ington, D. c., furnish the transit instrument.
After a brief but pleasant stay here. the
State University at Bloomington was
chief interest centers. AS a small fraction
of the Commonwealth of Indiana, | could feel
that in this institution L possessed in some small
degree personal interest and proprietorship.
Because of the fire in 1883, that
at once swept away physical and chemical
laboratories, museum and library, the State in
~stitution has been sadly crippled. But it is graf
flying to see it rising again, ph9nix-like, from
its ashes to new and brighter prospects. Two
new buildings, to supply the place Of
ready for D use, and the "G most critical
observations will only show that in this case
at least, 'the peoples money" has been judi
ciously and economically expended. Learning a,
lesson from past experience, the buildings are
fire proof; and, while not excessively ornate,
handsome and substantial, and, incidentally we
might add, stand upon the finest campus in the
country The smaller of these build ings will be
given to the biological work and museum of
President Jordan; in the other will be placed the
chemical and physical laboratories.
The new administration of the university will
be found to be keenly alive to its best interests,
and determined to make it a success.
With the impetus given by the
Lotto ovnrnnrinfirn anA tho ~vonA yoccihsltiaC
before it, is there any reason why the sympathy
and patronage Of the State, regardless of Sec
tional interest or party, should not be given to
make this, our home institution, a thing of cred
liable reality Certainly, if Michigan, Ohio and
sister States find it to their interest to support
such institutions of the highest excellence, differ
emit interests cannot obtain in Indiana.
Men of confessed ability are not wanting to
make this institution the peer, at least, of any
The reputation of President Jordan in biological
of ichthyology, especially, must in future come
here to pursue their study under &C
knowledged authority. The profound papers
of Professor kirkwood in mathematical astron-
universities of Europe. Professor Van Mugs,
with a German university education, could not
be other than a disciple of the great apostle of
laboratory chemical instruction, Liebig, I
found him busy with plans and lists of appa-
work. With the experience obtained
in forming the old laboratory few
mistakes will be found in the arrangement
of the new one. Professor Wylie, though strug-
Cling with the burden of years, will be found
alive to the interests of modern physical labora-
tory methods, something, unfortunately, that is
not usual with our older teachers of physics.
The single statement of Professor Swain, that
the abstruse analytical methods of Sir William
Hamilton, as developed in his quaternious,
were already elected and studied in the univer-
sity, is sufficient evidence of the work done in
mathematics. In short, the whole bent and
those who are abundantiy able to direct, and
make a success of such work, are there. So
that. with due fostering care on the part of the
State, our universities may rank with any in the
country; and, like our system of common school,
become the pride of the people.