The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-15

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ISS5-6.. IA "A 1SS
A study Of the above table, (which Is
from the University catalogues
will show nine distinct periods which Will
require to be separately considered, and in
every single instance where any mark
ed change has occurred, either of in
crease or diminution of numbers, it is al
tributable to causes wholly disconnected
from the merit or discipline of the institu-
tion-t0 extrlusic rather than to intrinsic
causes.
l. From 1852 8 to 1867. This ca. Hest
period, except the first year, was under the
Presidency Of the late Judge A. B. Long
street. His personal reputation and popu-
larity largely contributed to build up the
then new institation. At the end Of this
period he resigned, and the result was an
immediate falling away of students
>. From 1878 to lS60-I. In a year or
two after the resignation Of Judge Long
street, the ability OF DIR. F. A. z. Barnard,
his successor, became manifest, The in
stitution was in fair way to regain It's
patronage, when the war came on and sus-
pened its work.
8. From 1866 to 1770-1. When the
college opened, after the war, the prepar-
atory department was organized Notwith-
standing the collapsed fortunes of the
State, there was very good attendance.
This was largely due to the coming in OF
young men whose course ought TO have
been taken from 1861 to 1865, and whose
attendance was an abnormal accession TO
the classes of the succeeding three or four
wears. Bnt these reserved students would
naturally work through in three or four
years, aud numbers would naturally settle
down to the normal attendance Accord
ingly, after the first year, there was grad
ual, almost imperceptible diminution, un-
til 1S70-1.
f. In 1901, there was a great collapse
the attendance falling from lS6 to Il3
This was caused by the election of Gov
Alcorn, by the Repuplicanizing OF the
board of trustees and the Legislature; by
the war waged against the University by
many Democratic papers and iGfuentia
citizens, on the ground that it was Republic
canized, and BY the expectation that ne
groes would be admitted as students. One
notable effect of this feeling of distrusr
and itself the cause of yet more distrust
was the resignation of Col. L. Q. G. Lamar
the Professor of Law. | myself resigned Z
tutorship for the same reasons, Though
doubt whether that fact deferred many
students from coming.)
5. From 1912 to 1871. The increas,
from 113 to $50, and the large attendance
of this period is remarkable !; but the cause
of it was very simple. On the 18th Nav
1871, the act establishing Alcorn College
was passed. This act practically settled
the negro question in the first place; anc
in the second place, provided for free
scholarships in this University, one from
every Representative district or county
each free scholar being paid out of the
county treasury, for his board and clothes
sum not to exceed one hundred dollars
OF course the boys came under such in,
ducements; but even that device lost much
of It's power in two or three years.
6. From 1918 to 1867. In June
1874, the Chancellor, the Rev. John n
Waddel, whose reputation as an educator
and whose great personal popularity had
largely contributed to enable the institu.
ton to weather the political storm, weary
of the struggle, resigned. The effect was
the immediate shrinkage to l3j students as
against 1919 of the year before. In 1875,
the free scholarship system was abolished,
z. From 1867 to 1901. In 1876 the
Democratic party came into power again ;
but the alienation of the people from the
College had been so great and so long, that
the first year showed no difference. Also,
it was not until the summer of 1876 that
the Democratic Board of Trustees con-
vened and took steps to rehabilitate the
institution. DR.. g. NJ. Walden alone ar
ranged to advance, from 9lis own fortune.
means for the education each year for one
hundred benefciaries. The faculty all
went out and canvassed the State. The
result of it all was grand rally of 429
students in l877-S. Here again, it is to
be observed, there was, just after the war,
an abnormal accession, caused by the
gathering in of students who should have
come during the three or four preced-
ing years of alienation, and of others
for DIR. Vaiden's generosity. And
again, it was to be expected that
as these reserved students worked
through their two, three or four years.
there would be a settling down of numbers
to normal conditions. And this was the
case through four years, until 1882.
3. From 1SS1-2 to 1881. In 1872
there was a considerable falling away;
from SO TO 200 students. This was
caused, first, by the completion Of their work
by the reserved students above described :;
secondly, by the death of DIR. Walden, and
the consequent stoppage of his beneficiary
system; and thirdly, by the establishment
IF the Agricultural and Mechanical Col
ege, which OF course took away much of
he patronage of the farming class. This
effect of competing school, set up by our
Legislature in our own State, was natural
md inevitable.
8. From 1875 to 1856. Here there
5 an apparent decline; but II is only apparent.
It is altogether in what was the prepare
cry department. Ever since its establish
nent there has been violent opposition to
hat department from various high-schooIs
If the State In June, 1854, the Board oil
Trustees being convinced that the exigency
Ehich had necessitated Its establishment
lad largely passed away and willing to
,oncede something to the demands of those
chools, abolished the preparatory depart
nent, and provided for the organization of
! sub-freshman class, TO be accessible only
o candidates for the A. 3. or B. s. degrees.
The result was falling away from 1l6 to
. the hrst year afterward; but since that
.hange was not made until after the cata-
ogue for 1881 had been published all /
'yer the country, and very many students |
anne, at considerable outlay, the succeed |
ng session who were not informed Of the |
hange. II was determined to let those BOYS
sho had already been received into that /
department. complete their studies in it |
Without regard to the new rule. Thus, the |
uii effect OF the change was not apparent /
Until the second year afterward (1SS5-61, |
Fhen the sub freshman class numbered /
My A, a. against 1I6 preparatory stu
enis IN 1855 This falling of Of Y