The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-09
University Of Deseret.

On bruary. 1850, about two
years and half subsequent to the settle
ment Of this territory, the legislative
assembly of the then provisional govern
ment passed an act incorporating the ''Uni-
versity of the State of Deseret" Accord
lug to the charter thus obtained, all
! authority in respect TO government, prop
erty and administration is vested in 6
chancellor and board OF twelve regents,
who are appointed by the governor OF the
territory. to hold their Office for term of
two years.
On the second Monday of November,
1850, the university first opened its doors
| for the admission of students. Its exist
ence, however, was but nominal until No
vember, 1867, when II was reorganiZed
under the supervision of ID. o. Calder and
conducted chiefly as commercial college
until 1869, when it was more fully organ
| lied as an institution for scientific, normal
and classical instruction, and as such has
continued to grow steadily, each year add
/ ing something new, unity now il presents
itself as thoroughly equipped as any insti
! tuition this side OF the Missouri river. In
| 1884 the charter was amended, giving the
| institution power 10 confer degrees and
| issue diplomas.
| The university is open TO students of
both sexes over fourteen years of age.
| Students from other Institutions who have
pursued an equivalent course to that OF
this university are admitted TO like stand
| ing by presenting certificates.
| The different departments of instruction
are well equipped with apparatus for IL
lustration and practical work. The
mathematical, physical and chemical APP
paratus, in possession of the university, Is
sufficiently complete to Illustrate with
| good degree of fullness the subjects of
physical science. Additions are being
made 10 the departments each year.
| A course in mining has been added for
/ the coming year and special attention is TO
/ be given to this department, the university
recognizing that mining Is to be the lead
| ing industry OF Utah. Also the course in
| chemistry has been changed and additions
made to il until now no more thorough
course can be obtained in the west. Many
/ of the graduates of this department are
holding lucrative positions all over the
country. Joseph t. Kingsbury, who is at
the head of this depar tment, has held the
position for many years and 1t would be
difficult to find his equal in that special
branch.
In the past year the university museum
has been remodeled. Many specimens nave
been gathered from the mines and smelters,
new cases have been provided, and the
specimens have been rearranged and more
| fully classified and labelled. The museum
| is situated on the second floor of the main
! building and contains collections illustra-
tive OF mineralogy, geology, zoology, Dotony
and archaeology and many curiosities.
These collections are constantly being
added to.
The library and reading room, to which
the public and all students nave access dur
ing the school year, is prominent feature
of the university.
The library contains nearly ten thousand
volumes of standard and miscellaneous
4 81 .
are furnished with more than seventy
newspapers and periodicals. The library
room is large, well lighted and well ar
ranged. About 800 has been expended in
additions to the library this year.
The art gallery is notable feature in
the university. Its walls are adorned
with many excellent pieces of fine art, con-
colors, engrsvings, pencil drawings
sketches and chromos. Besides furnishing
a means of cultivating good judgment and
refinement of taste, the gallery is intended
to represent the history of art in Utah.
To this end, there are already exhibited
many rare pieces from the pencils of our
early artists, besides a more generous col
lection from those now living.
The university building is now fully
completed and equipped; there being every
convenience for the student in the way of
facilities for instruction and comfort. The
building is solid structure OF stone and
brick, ll0xl5l feet on the ground and four
stories in height. 1t is supplied
with the best and latest improvements
in the way of natural light, steam heating,
gas and electric lights. The grounds of the
university occupy an entire square of ten
acres in a pleasant part OF the city
Connected with the university as part
OF it is the school for deaf mutes. A sep
arate building is devoted TO this depart
ment. Since the opening of this school
seventy two pupils have received instruc-
ton. During the last year commendable
progress was made in every department,
and the work of the coming year promises
! TO be an Improvement over last years. An