The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08
PURDUE WANTS MORE.
President Smart Drops Down to see
the Governor.

Some very extensive Improvements at
Purdue University are being considered.
Prof. James II. Smart, the head of the
university, called on Governor Mount yes
terday. After the talk Governor Mount was
asked for information with reference to the
plans that are contemplated. While not de-
nying that extensive improvements are con-
templated, the Governor said that they
were not sufficiently developed to be made
public at this time.
Professor Smart was also unwilling to
say anything about his plans. I'm our
school, said he, lis a very bright young
man who exhibited with great pride the
photograph of his first boy, taken when
the infant was twenty-four hours old. In
his work he uses a stereopticon. / suggested
that he take picture of the infant every
day for three months and use the pictures
in his lectures on histology. That is my
plan. He did not take very kindly to the
idea, and since then has not shown the
picture TO me- 1t was his pride to exhibit
1T to his friends"
Then DR.. Smart drifted into a discussion
of his pamphlet scheme of nature-study,
an idea that is receiving a great deal of
attention from other States. Up to this
time eighteen pamphlets have been issued
rural life and agricultural pursuits
Nebraska has been given permission to re-
print them. They are distributed to county
superintendent of this State for use in the
district schools. Applications for a. 900
copies have been made to the university. a
large portion by institutions of other States.
The boy in school," said DR.. Smart,
reads only of things remote from him
Histories, readers and Biographies all tend
to create the impression in his mind that
the world is far away from him. He grows
restless and dissatisfied with the life around
him, full of interesting and fascinating
things, If he could but be brought to see
them, and his mind turns with longing TO
the cities. The purpose of these nature
studies is TO interest the student in rural
llfe Boys and young men are drifting to
the cities because they have no realization
Of the enjoyment and beauty of rural life
and the things about them. Do you know
That there are many district schools with
Well care for twenty. There is a growing
expense in geeping up schools that do not
have the ATTENDANCE to Justify it, They are
being depopulated.'
Dr. Smart says that there is not much
war talk among the students at Purdue, al
though the faculty recently had an amusing
illustration of their patriotism and deem
seated prejudice against Spain and Spanish
institutions. AT chapel the boys refused to
leader but missed the inspiration Of the
fresh young voices that were stied
What's the matter with the boYs?"
asked one professor in mild surprise They
did not sing this morning"
why, didn't you catch on?' " interro-
gated another: That was a Spanish hymn
The conversation turned to the subject of
prayer. when | young, said Prof
Smart, my prayer was that I might be
of the greatest use to the world"
What is it now?' he was asked Then
Professor Smart flashed an empigrammatc
answer.
Il pray the Lord TO keep me out Of mis-
chtef-if he can. You know many old men,
he added, develop a. great faculty for
getting into mischief"
Purdue University has a company of 225
cadets in which Professor Smart has an
affectionate pride. There was CONSERVATION
ping one of the two breech-loading modern
field pieces at Purdue to the Rock Island,
ILL.,. arsenal.
We'll call on you for the other pro-
lessor, said the Governors secretary, Col.
Wilson
You won't get ii, said Professor Smart.
positively with "A twinkle in his eye.
The two field pieces that were kept at the
military school at De Pauw University have
also been shipped to Rock Island and this
fact lends some color to the belief that ar
tulery viii be shipped here for the state
artillery companies from the East as Gov
Mount has requested. There was hope that
the guns at the universities might be or
dered turned over to the indianapolis Light
artillery and other batteries Of the State.