Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-03-29

its ability, has done much by it's
appropriations to forward the
work of the college-as in the
erection of Recitation Hall, i'm
provements in the old dormitory,
the erection in 1905 of the gymna-
SUM and an arrangement in 1906
OF by which the college might
have the use of a farm, for a long
time one of our most pressing
needs.
From time to time, as some of
you know, an agitation in favor of
removing the college to Whining
ton breaks out, at times the agita-
ton has been vigorous. In light
of present developments this is
not likely to be, in the future,
disturbing question.
Another interesting item with
which perhaps many of you are
not acquainted: In 1908 letter
from the proper authorities re-
quested the college to exhibit at
the Louisiana Purchase EXPOSE
ton, in 1904. An exhibit was for
warded and installed. Those who
visited St. Louis and saw the ex-
hibit recognized that it was a
modest one doing it's best to keep
up the reputation of Delaware
among the other exhibitors.
II should like to make mention of
two more matters not because they
can be said to be closely allied to
the history of the College itself,
being private matters, but because
the actors were a Professor and
students. Professor William A.
Pratt who in 1896 succeeded Pro-
fessor huntington as Professor of
Mechanical and Electrical Engine
ering, seemed to be the adventur-
Gus man of the faculty. Disease,
l am sorry to say, has since re-
restrained him and in his home in
Virginia he now lives in poor
health. At the time of the Spanish
War his enthusiasm prompted him
to raise company of volunteers.
The Trustees granted him leave
to command it. Some students
! Joined the company. When the
war was over we were glad to see
them all returned unframed to old
Delaware. However much of a
joke there may seem to be in that
kind of military service, there is a
serious side and a splendid side
when we recall the alacrity of
those in our institutions of learn,
ing to respond in time of trouble
to their country'S call.
Professor Pratt was a civil en-.
gineer, being at one time located
on our division of the B. & O. He
entered into arrangements with
some New York parties to make
surveys for railroad locations il
Alaska. Having got his outfit to
gether he spent a summer vaca
ton in that country accompanied
by Delaware men as assistants.
; | believe they enjoyed the exper
> fence and what they found there
with the exception of the numer
Gus mosquitoes. l do not know
. whether or not the surveys wer
pushed beyond that summer ;
: work. Professor Pratt did not re
turn to do it."
: Regarding the work done b,
: the College and the influence i
eXerted, the question PERSISTENT,
; arises how was it all done with s,
little money. Though building
were provided by the State, yet il
1868 the Federal aid from publ
land funds did not quite reach tn
: meagre sum of 5000. This with
few dollars from fees was a ridi
culously small amount on which t.
conduct College. 1t was, there
fore, with wonderful sense o
inauguration that in 1890 the trust
: ees received the first payment
100000 under the New Morrill,
bill' passed by congress abou
that time. This was at about tn
beginning of the period covered b,
this paper. The faculty was i'm
mediately increased, the course
of study broadened, and the en-
glneering courses established
From that time until the present
| with further bounty from tn
! general government for instruc
: ton in agriculture and the ME
chanic arts, the scope of the wor
= has widened, the attendance ha
= grown, and the influence of tn
College upon the State has largel
r increased"
: That the bounty of the genera
/ government is being more an
: more used is extremely crafty
Z inc Ru- We cannot roo o-.o, ~