Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-01-23
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Reports Progress and Announces that
IL is Now Open Free to All.

of Tennessee is an unusually interest.
ing document and contains much in
the way of encouragement for all those
interested in higher educatioo,
At this last commencement the Uni
versity celebrated the founding of its
parent institution, Blount College, by
appropriate exercises. A historical ad-
dress was delivered by Edward T. San
ford, A. NJ, class of 'S3, which the
board submit to the General Assembly,
for publication with their report, as a
contribution to the literature of the
Centennial of the State. Blount Col
lege was established by the first Gen.
eral assembly of the territory south of
the Ohio. on September 10, 1894, and
the institution now known as the Uni
versity of Tennessee is, thus, nearly
two years older than the State itself.
Mr.. Sanford's paper is the result of
much original research and will prove
Of great value to all interested in the
beginnings of our Commonwealth.
The past two years, though hard
ones financially have witnessed materi-
al improvement to the property of the
University. A wooden cottage, the
only building hitherto provided ut the
college farm for the accommodation of
agricultural students engaged in prac-
tical work upon the farm, has been re-
Gently displaced by a brick and stone
building, fitted with all modern con-
veniences which make for the comfort
and general welfare of this class of
students. The tower of the building is
arranged as an observatory which will
be equipped with full outfit of mete-
geological instruments as a valuable
means of instruction, and an aid to
the Experiment Station in its beneficial
work for the farmers of the State.
The total yearly attendance upon the
Academic Department of the Uniyer-
sity has been as follows during the
last eight years 1SS6-S7, 16O; 1sS7-SS,
2O8; 1SS8-S9, 249; 1889-6O, 259; 4SGO-91,
299; 1912, 94l; 1S92-93, 2G6; 1898 "a,
394. When it is remembered that all
preparatory classes have been abandon
ed, and that the standard of admission
to this department of the University
has been considerably advanced dur
ing these years, this steady increase in
the number of students is the best evi.
dence of the excellent and thorough
work being done by the institution.
One of the most important features
of the report is the announcement of
the Board of Trustees to the General
Assembly and to the people of the
country that the University now offers
free tuition to all students of proper
age and character who apply and pass
the required examinations for admis-
sion to its classes. All schools, public
and private, whose courses of study at
least equal that provided in the laws
of this State for secondary schools and
which may be accredited to the Uni
versity of Tennessee, are authorized to
certify students to it who shall then
be admitted to its lowest class without
examination and will receive free tut
ton. AS another method of admission
the faculty Of tho University is in
structed' to hold, or cause to be held, at
convenientpoints throughout the State,
examinations for admission, for the
purpose of giving opportunities to such
persons as may not have had the op-
portunity to attend any of the above
schools. All who pass these ey Imina-
tions are also received with free tut
ton. This new plan of admission has
worked most successfully during two
sessions and is now announced as a
permanent feature of the institution.
1t will take the place of the old system
of appointments which never worked
we'll. The chief present need OF the
University, according to the report, is
that of commodious central building
worthy of the institution and State.
The University occupies magnificent
site on a double hill overlooking the
Tennessee River. This hill is at pres
ent crowned by three small buildings
entirely devoid of beauty or stateli-
ness, and so old and SO cheaply con.
structed in the first instance, that they
are rapidly approaching that condi-
ton in which necessary repairing,
even, is we'll nigh impossible. The
Board of Trustees believe that the alb
sence of splendid and adequately
equ pped building on this hill-one
worthy of the site of the institution
and its place among the higher insti
tutions of learning in this country i:
! doing much to prevent the institution
from exercising the influence in edu
cation, and doing the work of the youth
of the State, that it could otherwise
accomplish. The report brings thil
need very strongly to the attention OF
the General Assembly and earnestly
petitions for an appropriation at it,
present session, for 1.-The removal Of
the old buildings and the erection, il
place thereof, of suitable main aca
demic building, which shall be al
honor to the University and pride t
the State" And this is an appeal en-
tirely in accordance with reason, for
as the report suggests, the State of Ten
nessee is rnder special obligation il
this matter. In accepting the lane