The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-11-23
Tuesday, Nov. %, 1886.
EDUCATIONAL.
PETER COOPER.



pom mechanical devices for utilita-
ian ends. AT one time he conceiv-
4 the project of line Of ferry
oats to be propelled by water pow
=, using the rapid current of the
LAST River, and an endless chain.
leeven put his project to success
nl test, under the personal supervis-
pa, and with the approval of Gov.
Dewitt Clinton. In his mechanical
experiments, he felt the great need
4 a more complete training in ply
Fcal sciences, and, early in life, con-
|eived the project which he after
Fards so successfully carried ont, in |
he establishment of the Cooper
Union for the Advancement Of Sci
nee and Art"
In this benevolent scheme Mr..
(ooper was actuated by that unset
|sh spirit which moves men to do
pr their children that which should
ave been, but was not donc for
bemselves. Il made up my mind"
|aid he, "that if / ever became pos
essed of wealth sufficient, | wonld
hake it possible for young men to
let, without expense, that funda-
hental scientific knowledge, the lack
1 which has always been such a Sc
ous drawback to me-" And so it
bay bs truly said that the great
cheme which has made Mr.. Coop
RS name synonym for intelligent
Philanthropy throughout the civil
led world, was no sudden impulse
projected by a wealthy man to make
is name famous, but the result of
Rrly and honest conviction, shaping
is whole life and bearing abundunt
Suit beneath his own. observation.
he benefcent work of the Cooper
Tnion for the Advancement of Sci
pce and Art borrows its chief glory
rom the fact that it is the express
ion Of mans whole life. For the
pace Of nearly or quite serenity
ears, this project has been constant
in the mind of its creator and
romtor. And he has not only given
it the necessary endowment in
honey, but far more than this, the
bdowment of his own unfagging de-
otion. A man of business-the
rojector and director Of great com
bercial schemes which are constant
adding to the wealth Of the world
IAN enthusiast in politics, he yet
evoted the largest share of his
me and thought to his purely hui
lanitarian work. Every step in the
rogress Of this work was under his
osest observation and personal
aidance. Even the smallest details
arrangement in the constant re-
7aptation of space and tactics to
he progressive work claimed his at
Rntion. For the last twenty-five
ears it was his daily practice to
pend a portion Of each day in the
uilding, visiting class-rooms and
and giving suggestions touching
be more efficient working Of his
Ians.
It is impossible iu short sketch,
ach as this must be, to speak atany
kngth of the purposes and achieve
Pents Of the Cooper Union.
Its three great branches are the
light schools, where several thou
bnd men are taught each session {
eientifc and literary course, besides
rawing in its various branches; the
ay schools for women, comprising
be sWoman's Art School, "a school
pr telegraDhy, and type-writine
ass recently established; ;and free
brary and rcading-room, open day
nd evening, to which 100000 visits
re annually paid.
The actual work of the Cooper
nion compares well with any edu
ptional institution in this country
in Europe. Since the property
as transferred to them by Mr.
ooper, iu 1857, at the cost of $500,
26, the trustees have expended oyel
S6S,000 in giving free instruction
the public. The past years ex
enses have been $45,454. This snn
as been derived from the rents o.
be building, and from the income
a special endowment Of $l50,00t
ade by Mr.. Cooper for the suppor
nd increase Of the Free Reading
oom and Library. With this ex
enditure the trustees have main
kincd, during eight months of tn,
ear, a system Of day and evenin:
'hools, in which pupils have beel
tught the rudiments of science ant
It. The Free Reading Room ha
cen kept open every day from 5 q
until 10 p. m, with daily al
Pndance averaging, at times, owe
900 in winter. Besides this fire
|ctures have been given in naturs
philosophy, chemistry, English litt
ture, rhetoric and elocution, by tn
spective professors on these sui
cts;each profess II lecturing two {
lree times week in the smallt
cture rooms Of the institution.