Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-04-15

University Of hississlppI
The Committee visited the Unlversi-
ty at Oxford, employed stcnograph-
er and devoted one entire day TO tak.
Ing testimony and investigating the
affairs Of SAID Institution. We were
grati6ed 10 learn that everything was
working tremendously and satisfacto-
rily. The Trustees have the interest
Of the University ut heart and arc full
~ aliye TO its welfare aud prosperity.
They sometimes differ rs to inmate.
rial matters concerning the general
management Of the institution, but In
the main there II perfect harmony and
they work together with comncndabls
zeal In cndcavoring to place II on that
high eminencc 1t justly deserves among
the first Universities Of the South.
The faculty Is composed Of able and
faithful instructors, with large cxpe-
ricnce, some Of whom have spent
quarter Of century 40 Professors In
that College and are thoroughly con-
vcrsant with all the duties pertaining
TO their respective departments. No
College in the Union Is better equipped
or can AFFORD greater facilities for edu-
cation, and AL that Is necessary TO
mako Il o grand success and take the
first rank among the Universities OF
the land is the hearty cooperation and
patronage Of all Mississippians, who
should feel a Just pride in seeing II
occupy the proud eminencc It so rich
" deserves. Nothing Is better cal
culsted to detract from the merits OF
Tive institution or paralyzc the efforts
OF those who arc entrusted with It's
keeping than unfricndly remarks or
unfounded criticisms In regard to ita
Il should not be 70.
garded by other schools or colleges 40
n rival, but be looked up to ~ afford.
ing superior advantages not attaina6lc
elsewhers-as pre-cminently superior
to nil others, and to which all others
should be tributary. AL high schools
throughout the State should be In
sympathy with and prepare their pu-
pills for entrance into the University,
and become feeders TO the Institution.
The impression has gone abroad th1t
Il Is In languishing condition, simply
because there IL a falling off IN the
number Of students in attendance.
This fact should not detract from Its
efficiency, rs Il IL decidedly an advan-
tage to those who do attend. The
Professors have more time to devote
to their classes and watch the progress
OF each pupil and see to the proper
discipline. But there are several res-
sons why the attendance 10 not as large
this session rs usual. In the 6rst
place, II Is regarded 40 = more expcn.
siyc school and on account OF financial
depression parents are deferred from
sending their children there unless
they arc able to give thema thorough
collegiate course and prepare them for
some OF the learned professions.
Again, there are numerous high
schools aud colleges springing up all
over the land and bringing facilities
for education almost TO the door OF
every one. It Is thought that the A.
en-. College, at Starkvillc, has drawn
many pupils away, although II Il gen.
orally understood that the course OF
study and the preparation for the du-
ties Of life are altogether different.
Another reason 10 the abolition OF the
Preparatory Department. This pop
ular branch OF the University having
been abOlisl ed dcbarred ut least Que
third OF the pupils who came there to
prepare themselves for the college
course. The sub freshman class has
been substituted In lieu of the high
schools az a. adjunct 10 the Freshman
clsss, but on account OF the high stan.
dsrd adopted, many pupils who would
have been qualified 10 enter the Pre-
paratory school are excluded on the
ground OF age or qualifications. Mono
are admitted under the age Of fifteen,
and unless they intend to study Greek
and Latin, and unless at the expira-
ton of twelve months they can DO
ready to enter the Frcshinsn class.
A large majority Of the faculty and
Trustees were Of the opinion that the
Sub Freshman department was me-.
essary TO the welfare and prosperity
OF the University.
education Is new feature adopt
ed BY the Board Of Trustees In 1882.
So far II Is an experiment. There
seems to be = diversity OF opinion
among the Faculty aud Trustees rs to
the result. But the weight Of author.
ity seems to be in favor Of a continua-
ton Of the plan. There are only
about dozen young ladies' in attend
ance, and they are ambitious to acquire
a thorough education, such rs cannot
be obtained at any College in the State
and there is no sufficient reason why
they should be denied that privilege.
We would suggest that the Board OF
Trustees require the Faculty, during
vacation, to circulate freely among the
people throughout the State, and adj
vertiss the merits Of the University,
and dissbuse the minds Of many who
have imbibed a prejudice against It,.
The appropriation asked for Is tho
interest on the University funded debt,
viz: sS2, $4,000. We recommend that
Il be granted.
GEORGE HARyEr,