The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-09
SPLENDID PROGRESS.
The Remarkable Prosperity OF the State
University.

University.
To the Editor OF the Appeal:
Will YOU make room in your paper for n
few lines from y late resident OF Memphis?
The Memphis people arc, 80 TO speak,
stockholders with the rest OF State in the
University of Tennessee. They have a
right to know how It's affairs are managed,
and, suppose, would like to to hear some.
thing definite about the changes that have
occurred in II Of late. will give a bit OF
previous history iist. Twenty-six years
ago the United States government donated
a certain amount Of land TO each State
which should accept II upon prescribed
conditions. One Of these conditions was
that the state should use the interest on
the money derived from the sale OF the
land in maintaining one or more colleges,
whose main object should be TO teach agri.
culture and the mechanic arts and branches
OF learning related thereto. Tennessee re-
ceiyed something over 500, 900 from the
sale Of its share Of this land, and
nineteen years ago turned this over
TO East Tennessee uniycrsity-an in
stitution which already had over 500, 900
worth Of public propcrty-to carry out the
purposes of Congress This institution,
whose name was aitcrward changed 10 the
University Of tennessee, has regularly
collected and spent tho interest, amount
ing to about 81, 900 u year, on the money
thus intrus,ed 10 IL. In other words, Il
had spent more than 500, 900 nj the close
OF the session, which ended year ago.
No attempt 10 provide practical instruc.
ton in the mechanic arts bad been made
until six months before that date. Then
shop costing 500 was erected and 500
worth Of tools provided. Costly provision
had been made for instruction In agricult.
ure. But the course provided found liz.
tie favor with the people IL attracted
Tow students from the eastern part of the
State, and almost none from the middle or
western. Meanwhile the discomfort ut
the management VI the institution, which
started in West and Middle Tennessee,
had grown more intense aud spread east.
ward. No ono mentioned II but to con.
denim Il. And the catalogue, which had
Just been issued, showed q falling of Of
"a per cent. In the number Of students, ~
compared with the year before. IL was
evident that something must be done,
that radical change must DO made In
methods and management. Accordingly
year ago, after the close Of the session
Just referred 10, the board OF trustees in.
yitcd DR.. e.. W. Dabncy, IT,, "a graduate
OF the University Of Virginia, and later, OF
the University OF Gociungcn. Germany,
the State chemist OF North Carolina aud
director OF It's experiment s,ation) 10 visit
Knoxville and confer with them with a
view 10 taking the presidency Of the ins,i.
tuition. The result was that the prcsi.
dency was offered him on tho following
terms which he made the conditions of his
acceptance. II was resolved that the pro.
fcssorships should become vacant at the
end OF the session soon 10 commence aud
that men selected by him should then be
elected TO al them; that he should r..
model the courses Of study, and that no
bills should be paid without his approval.
In short, the offer was virtually this: that
he should manage tho institution and that
the board should hold him accountable for
results. The offer was accepted, and lao
took charge In August last. BY the con.
tract no change could be made in tho pcr.
sonnet Of tho faculty for one session. rs
lust stated. but radical changes were at
once made in other dircctions. Tie
courses Of study were made more
practical. Extensive repairs were
made Ia tho buildings. A large
with two stories and bascmcnt) was
contracted for, and Is now nearly under
roof. Arrangement. were made for tho
erection Of workshop three stories in
hight aud Of oighty.lvo ieci 'front.', with
engine, boilers, iorgcs, lathos, etc. This
saop Is rapidly going up. Gas, water aud