The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-12-08

the State at this time. The old Fed
eralist party hal passed away; the
sTiit on Andrew Jackson ha1 not
come. The great question in State
politics was the demand for conven-
ton to reform the constitution and ex-
tend the franchise and give more pow
err TO the new west. And yet, for some
reason or other there was division I'm
the Legislature, and certain men gem
orally voted together. The men who
voted against Wake Forest generally
voted tigether with some xceptions
The Senate was not a body con
spicuous for its ability. Among tie
strong !rcn was william B. Meares,
of New Hanover, later candidate for
United states Senator and for the gov
ernorship. He voted for the charter.
Otway Burns. the famous naval com
mander, represented Carteret for many
years. He was opposed to the char
ter. Weldon N. Edwards, the friend
Of Nathaniel Macon. and eX-Congress-
man, represented Warren and opposed
the charter Most Of the Senators
frOr, the Kehukee Association voted
against the charter. Whether they
were influenced by these reactionary
Baptists it IS impossible to say. What
ever may have been the cause, these
Baptists blazed the way for others to
follow.
First Session Difficulties.
When Principal Wait came to look
over the purchase and make arrange
ments for tho opening of the school
he found simply a country residence
standing where the Old Dormitory
now is, and outhouses. He says II
found seven good, substantial log cab
MS, made mostly of white oak, good
doors floors, roof and with one ex-
eection windows lBui!t for servantsD
These were washed out clearly and
whitewashed. Good furniture was
provided for each house, and although
it was known that the cabins were
built originally for servants and occu-
Died at first by them, l never heard of
the least objection to them from any
student The only place in which [
could convene the students for morn
ing and evening prayers or lectures
vas the building erected by DR.. Jones
or a carriage house, 16x24 feet. a
supply of desks and benches were fur
nished, but the large doors we're suf-
fered 20 remain without alteration"
The dining room was the chief diff
Guilty during the first session. Num-
bers Increased rapidly and ~ were en-
rolled the first year. The largest room
IN the house was 1S feet square. Only
one-third of the students could be
seated at once. They ate in relays.
Nine times a day the table was set,
and, like all Gaul, every meal was di-
vided into three parts. This was so
| aborious that finally a cloth tent 20
| feet long was constructed.
Another difficulty was beds. Some
brought their beds with them. but the
institute had to supply most of them.
When feathers gave out they made
mattresses OF shucks. Prof. Wait and
his family used to work till midnight
making Shuck mattresses.
Servants could not be secured and
very often Prof. Wait would teach TIL
II O'Clock and then help set the table.
The trustees held meeting in May
| GS34) and advised the executive COM
nittee to have some temporary build
ings erected. Some of theseS the stu
dents erected themselves. There was
need for a school building. Prof.-elect
John Armstrong was appointed TO col
lect money for this purpose. He re-
ceived subscriptions for $4,000. Capt.
Berrey agreed to erect the "Old Dor
mitory" building for $4,000 and to
complete it in two years. When the
Continued on Page Seven.)