People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1895 — State University Notes. [ARTICLE]

State University Notes.

The winter term opened with more than the average increase in number of students, and shpuld the rate of increase be repeated at the spring term the enrollment will reach 800. One of the most noticeble evidences of the excellence and prosperity of the university observed of late, was the fact that the students, faculty and alumni bore so prominent a part in the rbcent session of " the State Teachers Association. At every meeting they were conspicuous for numbers and in every pro-, grum. they took part with distinctiprj.4, This fully.demonstrate tes thalT. U. is the recognized, head of the educational system of the state in fact, as well as in name. • • At the close of last term the registrar’s -office published the Statistics Of 'twenty-twb of the leadi. g universities of the country. In this list it appears - Yh at Indiana University ranks eighteenth in'number' of students, twentieth in endowment, twentyfirst in the .president’s salary, and twenty-second in number, of professors, cost of equipments, cost of buildings, .number of buildings, and annual income; while among the states in which thbse universities are located Indiana ranks ninth in populatidh anti fourth In assessed value oftproperty. These facts 'come as'U reproach to the munifisance of our state and in the face of them,, the present session of the legislature must feel in duty bound, to grant to the university a generous appropriation. The students enjoyed the opportunity of hearing Miss Jaue Adams lecture upon her work in the Hill House Settlement, Chicago. Her lecture treated of social settlements and city problems, explaining how the work is done in the Hull House Settlement of the ninteenth ward of Chicago, toward improving the social condition of the lower classes. Miss Adams is possessed of a thorough education, a wide experience and uncommonly good sense, mingled with a strong desire to serve well her fellow beings and an unflinching purpose in accomplishing her ends. She uttered no cry of despair at the condition of humanity, she had no vague theory to propound; but her talk was sanguine and healthy. She is an economist without a theory, » sociologist in that she is a demo mat, a missionary with a mission at hand, a Christian without a creed. The sad death of the university registrar, Henry S. Bates, occurred, before all the students had fairly resumed their work. There was not a member of the faculty better known or more respected. His original manner, and familiarity made him beloved; was the first to reach out Ihe hand of welcome to the new stu.ients, a stranger to all. At a meeting of the student body, to draft appropriate resolutions, mmy beatiful tributes were paid to his memory. Appropriate memorial services will be held sometime during the spring term. Feb. 25, the new hall, named in honor of Daniel Kirkwood, was dedicated. A special train brought the governor, forty-nine members of the legislature, and many other distinguished visitors from Indianapolis. The guests were met at the train by the local militia as a guard of honor, and by the faculty and student body, and escorted to rhe college buildings, which were opened for inspection. From there to the hotels, where they were entertained by the c'rixens of Bloomington. At one o' 'ocß the *ine wa< formed to escort the visitors to the old college chaple where the dedication exercises were to take place,

The procession was nearly al mile long. T|te programme consisted of addresses from the president of board of trustees, from the govenor, from the president of Ann Arbor University and from three or four members of the legislature. The program was spiced by music, college and class yells and the college song. The addresses were enthusiastic and if they express the sentiment of law making body now in session, the University’s prospects for the one sixth mill tax endowment and an extra appropriation are very flattering. The governor and representatives expressed their sentiments in regard to the removal question, which were to the effect that the matter should be dropped. It is probable that trouble will grow out of the action of the militia, toward those who wore removal badges. Besides wearing the college colors a number of students wore ribbons, upon which were stamped the words “I. U. at Indinapolis 1896.” .

Many Bloomington citizens took the matter as an insult. The militia headed the line of march and halted at the chaple door to allow civillians to pass through. Instead of standing in perfect ranks, with the captain as an example, whenever a student wearing one of the objectionable badges passed, two dr three would grab him and tear the ribbons from his coat. This action was unexpected and the students did not at first resist, but covering up their ribbons, endeavored to pass through the line without causing, a disturbance. But the militia.pulled open the . overcoats Jpf inany to search for badges. A yery decorous guard of Jipnor, .. indeed! Many lady students' ip the line were jolted and roughly handled.

Tuesday, a mass.,meeting of students was called,;and. the “I. U. Free Sentiment Association” was formed. A committee was appointed to draw up .a, petition to present to the governor and legislature urging them to investigate the matter. ; The incident is greatly, to be deplored, as it. will probably have some influence on the legislature in regard to the appropriation, of which the university is so greatly in need. Kirkwood Hall is a substantial and attractive building of native limestone. It, is practically a four story building, as the four floors will be used for regular class room work. The basement is 11 ft. high and has 8 large rooms; the first story is 16 ft., high, the second 14 ft. and the attic of good height and will be fitted up as a ladies gymnasium. In length the building is 130 ft. width 76 ft., and the central tower is 100 ft. high. The building is to be occupied by the departments of Physics. Philosophy, French, German, Latin, Greek, History, Economics and Law. Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Thompson came down from Rensselaer to witness the dedication and to visit their son Ray who is in college. Representative Spitler was one of the visiting committee from the assembly.

GEO. E. MITCHELL.