The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-10
HISTORY SINCE THE RE,OPENINC.
Hon. Kemp P. Battle Gives an Account of the
Re-Opening of the University.

L prepared IL lull history Ol tue IeblI III
of the University, of the incidents of
which | was personally cognizant as
trustee and secretary and treasurer. 1t
is long enough to occupy an hour in the
delivery President Alderman mercilessly
instructs me to cut it down to fifteen
minutes. If you think my effort, as de-
lvered, is of the genus called sorry L
beg you to hope that the eliminated
pages are full of interest, under the
maxim, omne il nobum pro mirifico.
The doors of the University were
closed February l, 1871.
In 1873, Professor Alexander McIver,
then superintendent of public instruction,
:: first honored graduate of the Univer-
sity. and always Il warm friend, made an
earnest effort to revive the institution.
He called Il meeting in the Senate cham
her of the Capitol of all University
this end. The meeting was largely at
tended and enthusiastic resolutions were
passed. In order to effect Il reorganZa-
ton, the trustees were requested to place
their designations i'll the hands of Gov
ernor Caldwell, Il University man. The
scheme failed, and then it was concluded
that nothing but IL constitutional amend
ment. giving the management of the in
stitution to the General Assembly, would
suffice.
In August, 1873, such an amendment
was adopted by the people. The change
was due to the influence of our alumni
in the General Assembly. especially of
Badger, Mr.. Badger, Republican,, as
sisting the Democrats in obtaining the
requisite, three-tifths vote. The Assem-
bly, determined. by act of January Is,
1871. to delegate the management to
siXty-four trustees, elected by joint bal
lot to serve eight years. Only two of
the last board were re-elected-Rey. DIR.
Neill Mckay and James y. Graham. OF
those deprived of their offices in 1865,
thirteen were found on the new board.
Rev. DR.. Mckay has the unique dis
tinction of having been Il member of all
three boards.
William 4. Graham was called tenn
porarily to the chair and William l..
Saunders was appointed secretary. 1t
was then unanimously resolved that Il
committee, of which Mr.. Manning was
chairman, was appointed to wait on
Governor Tod II. Caldwell and request
him to preside at the meeting His EX-
cellency declined, because. in his opinion.
the General Assembly had no power to
elect trustees, but that they should have
been nominated by himself and con
tirmed by the Senate.
notwithstanding this rebuff. the board
continued its services. An executive com
mittee was appointed, X. Z. Battle was
elected secretary and treasurer, to give
a $4,000 bond
The next day, on motion of W. y.
Graham, Messrs. Steele. Cameron and
Saunders were appointed a committee to
visit Chapel Hill and report the condition
of the University buildings and other
property and of the available funds.
The next meeting was on April 9, 1874.
Messrs. Forney George. Mills S. Eure,
Thomas L. Mcdowell. w. w. PEBBLES,
j. III. Thorpe, who We're not present at
the preceding meeting, took their seats.
An elaborate report, prepared by w.
l.. Steele, chairman of the committee of
three, was read by him. The committee
met at Chapel Hill on ----. 1874.
A written request was made of DIR. Pool
for the keys and possession of the build
iIIgs. He declined to surrender their
custody. but allowed the committee the
privileges of visitors. Accordingly, they
inspected all the buildings. except Smith
Hall, the key of which was not in DR.
POOLS possession. They found that there
was urgent need of extensive repairs
On motion of Judge Eure, Messrs.
Graham, j. j. Davis and X =. Battle