Dane County WI Archives History - Books .....Chapter IV The State University 1877
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Book Title: Madison, Dane County And Surrounding Towns...

CHAPTER IV.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

  THE EXAMPLE set by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1636, in preparing for the
foundation of Harvard, less than sixteen years after their landing on this
continent, has been fruitful in suggesting like works all over the Union. An
endowment of public lands for a seminary in Wisconsin was provided by an act of
congress which was approved on the the [sic] 12th of June, 1838. The land thus
given amounted to 46,080 acres. Prior to the passage of the congressional act,
and anticipating its provisions, the territorial legislature, in January, 1838,
prepared to incorporate the University with all the powers and limitations
common to such institutions.

  The first quorum of the board of visitors stands on record as having met
pursuant to adjournment, December 1, 1838, when Henry L. Dodge and John Catlin
were chosen treasurer and secretary. Col. Slaughter was one of the most active
members, and the requisite steps devolving upon the board were fulfilled.
Regents were appointed, and an act was passed specifically incorporating the
University, immediately after the inauguration of the state government, in 1848.

  The first board consisted of John Bannister, Hiram Barber, Alex. L. Collins,
Julius T. Clark, Henry Bryan, Edw. V. Whiton, John H. Rountree, Eleazer Root,
Simeon Mills, Rufus King, Thos. W. Sutherland and Cyrus Woodman. Four of the
members were nominated for six years, and the others were appointed, four for
four years and four for two only; their successors thereafter to hold office for
six years. Part of the land of the University was purchased from Mr. Aaron
Vanderpool of New York, on the 17th of October, 1848, subject to the approval of
the legislature; and a building in the village of Madison, erected as a private
venture for the purposes of an academy, having been tendered to the regents,
rent free, by the citizens, it was determined to open the "department of
science, literature, and the arts," by means of a preparatory school, on the
first Monday in February, 1849, under the superintendence of Prof. John W.
Sterling. The next step was the election of John H. Lathrop, LL. D., as
chancellor of the University, at a salary not to exceed $2,000. The preparatory
school was opened at the time named, with twenty pupils under Professor Sterling
and Chancellor Lathrop. The cabinet of natural history was formed by Horace A.
Tenney, who rendered his services as agent free of cost, and gave excellent aid
to the institution at all times.

  The formal inauguration of the chancellor took place on the 16th of January,
1850, and buildings were erected, the north dormitory in the following year and
the south dormitory in 1854, from the income of the University fund. In the same
year the first class, consisting of Levi M. Booth and Chas. T. Wakeley, graduated.

  The intention of congress in granting a liberal endowment of public lands to
the University was to a great extent defeated by manipulations in the
legislature, under which the lands were appraised at very inadequate prices, and
so passed into the hands of speculators and others, who became the recipients of
advantages which should permanently have assisted the intellectual culture of
the community. Under such injurious action on the part of honorable members,
some of the best -lands in the state were preempted, or otherwise obtained, at
less than one-fourth of their actual value, and the authorities of the
University were powerless to defend the interests entrusted to their charge. The
fund necessary for University purposes being thus rendered inadequate, congress
was once more approached, and mainly in consequence of the exertions of Gen.
Simeon Mills, a further grant of seventy-two sections was obtained. Mr. Tenney,
already favorably known by his services, selected the lands thus given for the
purposes of learning. The selections made by Mr. Tenney were among the choicest
lands in the state, and although there was some delay in reporting them at
Washington, in consequence of which private parties procured many of the best,
other lands fully equal were eventually procured. Once more the legislature
using its powers defeated the express design of the endowment, by appraising the
picked lands of the state at $3.00 per acre, reducing a property which was well
worth $500,000 to a selling value of only $138,240. Even then the designs of the
manipulators were not exhausted, as it was found that by pushing the lands into
sale by auction, away from the centers of population, still lower prices could
be made to rule, and yet the representations made by the institution were
without avail. Even worse, during the summer session of 1854 a bill was hurried
through one house, and came very near passing the other, under which all the
lands sold, and to be sold, in the interests of the State University, some of
which ranged as high as $30.00 per acre in value in open market, should be
subject to patent at $1.25, and that all moneys already paid in excess of that
amount should be refunded. A proposition more shameful was never submitted to a
legislature; but Mr. Tenney, then reporting in the house, and a number of
members acting with him, by whom he was called upon for a statement, only
succeeded in defeating the nefarious project by two votes. Two purposes were
served by the members who voted for the despoilment of the University: one, the
enrichment of individual speculators, and the other and more justifiable design
was the encouragement of immigration. Precisely similar tactics were pursued
when the Agricultural. College act was passed by congress in 1862; but no good
purpose can be served by recapitulating discreditable details. The Regents of
the University faithfully discharged their duties in the premises, and at
length, in 1872, procured the passage of an act granting from the state a sum of
$10,000 per annum, as compensation to the University. That amount was not an
equivalent for the loss, but it was something to have procured a recognition of
the principle, that the lands granted by the federal government for purposes of
education, should not have been sacrificed in pursuance of personal gain, or in
carrying out schemes to promote immigration, in the lower interests of the
territory and state.

  The legislature acted for some considerable time as though the funds accruing
from the sales of land granted for the University by congress were, in fact,
taxes levied upon the state, and in consequence there were dark days and great
causes for discontent among the promoters of learning in this city; but thanks
to a more enlightened spirit which now prevails among the directors of the press
of the state, and in the main, among the people at large, a better understanding
has been reached. The fact that the University was doing its best under the
disadvantages incidental to want of funds, during the dark and troubled times,
is now admitted on all hands; and it is too apparent to require comment, that
the cause of that poverty consisted in the breach of trust of which legislators
were guilty. A bill aiming at the reorganization of the University was
introduced, and came near passing both houses of the legislature in 1858. The
chancellor of the institution, taking up the leading ideas of that measure,
carried out most of the proposed alterations during the same year, with the
concurrence of the board of regents. Chancellor Lathrop suggested the several
changes apparently demanded by the public, and in pursuance of the change,
resigned his position as chancellor, which was afterwards filled by Henry
Barnard, LL. D., who united therewith the duties of professor of normal
instruction. Chancellor Lathrop was elected professor of ethical and political
science, but he subsequently resigned his office, and was reelected to the
position he had previously filled as president of the University of Missouri.
Beyond doubt, that gentleman fell a sacrifice to circumstances not properly
chargeable to himself; but his retirement, and the change of administration
consequent thereupon, permitted the complete establishment of a good
understanding between the people and their most valuable institution. The new
scheme originated by the retiring chancellor was, in effect, a full recognition
of the right of the people to control the University, and it devolved upon them
the fullest share of responsibility.

  Chancellor Barnard was unable to attend to the duties to which he had been
called, thus the scheme which was to have united the University with the normal
school system of the state failed completely. Eventually, in consequence of
continued ill health, his resignation was accepted in January, 1861. The civil
war, and the stress upon every department of the state, joined to the diminution
of the number of students, rendered a reduction of expenditures inevitable.
Prof. John W. Sterling was made dean of the faculty, with the powers of
chancellor, and schemes of retrenchment were adopted which enabled the
University to continue its operations, without asking aid from the legislature,
during the war. The University was largely represented in the army, and a
military company was formed among the students, which has eventuated in the
establishment of a military department, giving effect to an excellent suggestion
made to the regents by the faculty. The drill undertaken to secure military
efficiency has conferred mental as well as physical vigor. In the year 1864, all
the class was in the field, and for the first time during ten years, there was
no commencement.

  A normal department was opened in 1863, under the care of Prof. C. H. Allen,
and the result was in every way satisfactory. The apprehension commonly
expressed, that the introduction of ladies would lower the standard of culture,
has been proved groundless. Prof. Pickard succeeded to the control of that
department in 1866, when the "female college" was established, which continued
until 1873, since which time all departments of the University have very
properly been thrown open to both sexes, without those invidious distinctions,
which too long have evidenced the want of genuine culture among men.

  Gifts made to the institution by generous citizens, have done much to increase
its efficiency. Gov. Jas. T. Lewis made a donation to enable the board of
regents to bestow an annual prize. The amount was only $200, but the regents
having invested the fund, were enabled in June, 1874, to offer a prize of $20,
which sum is to be awarded every year, under the name of "the Lewis prize," to
the writer of the best essay, received in the competition of that year. The
Scandinavian library, known as a "Mimers library," was a contribution from
private individuals in 1868, through the agency of Prof. R. B. Anderson. The
collection now aggregates about one thousand volumes of Scandinavian literature,
and its value can hardly be stated. The world-famous Ole Bull was induced by Mr.
Anderson to increase the library fund by giving a concert in the assembly
chamber, and the sum thus obtained was very advantageously expended in Norway by
the professor, who made a voyage thither in 1872 for the purpose, and procured
at the same time valuable contributions from some of the ablest professors and
most distinguished Norwegian scholars. The books obtained by the several means
indicated render the Scandinavian library one of the best in the United States.
The "Johnson student's aid fund" was in part due to the same agency. The sum
given by the Hon. John A. Johnson, some time senator for this district, is
$5,000, the interest of which is to be applied from the time of the donation,
1876, until the end of the present century, to assist indigent Scandinavian
students, with sums not to exceed $50 per annum in any individual case, nor to
aggregate more than $200 in the aid afforded to one person; with this further
proviso, that in every case the student assisted shall understand that the
advance is a loan, and not a gift, and that whenever it may be in his power, he
shall be expected to repay the sum to the fund, to increase its efficiency for
future operations. On and after the end of this century the fund will be
available for all students, irrespective of nationality, on precisely similar
terms. Clearly, the object of the donor is to break down whatever barriers may
at present exist, to the complete unification of the Norse element in our
population with the great body of the people, made up of all the nations of the
world. It would be difficult to imagine a form in which enlightened munificence
can more elegantly express itself, than by such contributions to the improvement
of the State University, and it is gratifying to observe that other persons are
preparing to follow in the path thus nobly indicated. Most of the universities
and scholastic institutions in Europe have been enriched by just such acts of
individual munificence, generally by way of bequests, taking effect upon the
death of the donor.

  The state bestowed upon the University the building which had been occupied as
the soldiers' orphans home, with the intention that it should be used as the
location for a medical school or department; but for many reasons it was found
inexpedient to carry out that design, and the regents having memorialized the
legislature to that effect, have been permitted to sell the structure and
grounds for $18,000. The Norwegians, who have made the purchase, will establish
an academy and theological seminary in the building, which will thus become a
considerable addition to the educational facilities in Madison.

  Returning now from a prolonged digression on the subject of gifts, to resume
the narrative temporarily broken, we may say, that in June, 1865, the war having
come to an end, it was thought advisable to reorganize the State University, but
in consequence of an offer of the chancellorship having been declined, Prof.
Sterling continued in his position until the following year. The increase of
students and the improving aspect of affairs generally, so far as the University
was concerned, led to a reconstruction, which was aided by a vacation of all the
chairs in 1866, whereupon Pres. Paul A. Chadbourne was called to the management
of the University from the agricultural college of Massachusetts. Prof. Sterling
alone, of all the old faculty, was retained and reelected.

  The change made in 1866 entitled the University to the advantages accruing
under the act of congress, which granted lands for agricultural colleges. The
alterations necessary were embodied in an act, which was approved on the 12th of
April, 1866, and thereupon the county of Dane issued bonds to the amount of
$40,000 for the purchase of lands for an experimental farm contiguous to the
university grounds. The requisite funds were provided and the farm procured, but
two professors in turn declined the nomination as president, and the members of
the old faculty were recalled for another year. After certain amendments had
been made in the regulations, as to the several departments being open to both
sexes on precisely similar terms, Prof. Chadbourne accepted the presidency in
1867, and the work of reconstruction proceeded.

  Since that time, the state has pursued a more liberal and enlightened policy
towards the University. The educational power of the institution has been felt
in the community, in the presence and force of men trained therein, or in
kindred establishments, and now editing the leading journals of the state, or
filling other responsible representative positions. The secretary of state, in
his report for 1866, recognized the fact, that Wisconsin had not appropriated
one dollar toward the support of the University, but had absorbed from the
endowment given by the general government, sums aggregating more than $10,000,
in the form of charges for taking care of the lands, besides reducing the value
of the property in question, so that the fund arising from the interest had
decreased $7,000 per annum in less than two years. The action of Dane county in
affording substantial help was speedily followed by compensatory measures in the
legislature. In the year 1867, an appropriation of $7,303.76 per annum was made
for a term of ten years, and it was supposed that a like amount would be granted
in perpetuity as an act of simple justice; but, as will be seen, a much more
generous arrangement has been effected. The charge unwisely levied by the state
upon the University, property for taking care of its lands, was at the same time
abandoned. Three years later, in 1870, a sum of $50,000 was appropriated to
erect a female college, that being the first sum actually granted by Wisconsin
in aid of her own University. In the year 1875, upon proper representations as
to the necessity for additional buildings, the legislature appropriated $80,000
to enable the regents to proceed with the erection of Science Hall, which is now
fully complete; and still later, in the winter of 1876, an act has been passed
repealing all other measures of appropriation touching the revenues of the
institution, and giving, by way of liberal acquittance for every error in the
past, an annual tax of one-tenth of a mill on the dollar, on the valuation of
the state, upon the condition, that from and after July, 1876, all tuition shall
be free to every citizen of Wisconsin. The line of policy thus indicated, places
the State University on a sound basis, and will not fail to establish the
character of our people thoughout the union. The struggle for life has ended,
and the munificence of the legislature, expressing the will of the community,
will materially aid in developing the resources of the state. The line of
conduct pursued in the beginning was an aberration, such as we are not likely to
see repeated.

  A desire to narrate in the proper order, and in a connected way, the several
items of financial policy which, since 1866, have characterized the legislature,
has led to a deviation from the straight course in describing the steps by which
the regents and the faculty have discharged their duties; but allowances can be
made for that offense in the presence of such admirable provocation. There will
be no further need to break the continuity of the narrative.

  The University has now a department of engineering and military tactics, to
which has been added a department of civil and mechanical engineering and
military science. Mining, metallurgy and engineering as connected with mines,
have also received attention; and the department of agriculture, a branch of
training second to none in importance, is very slowly advancing in appreciation
as well among the people as in the minds of the regents. Efforts have been made
to render this branch of education effective, but up to the present time there
have been no agricultural students. The Law Department, under the able Dean of
the Faculty, Prof. J. H. Carpenter, aided by the best authorities in the state,
deserves the very highest encomiums.

  President Chadbourne's labors, under the reconstructed board, and the better
tone of public opinion, gave an impetus to educational effort. The University
became more worthy of support, a better exponent of scientific culture; and the
leading minds in the community recognized its higher usefulness. The increase of
students consequent upon those improvements, rendered additional buildings
necessary, and the want has been in part supplied, but the requirements of the
institution will continue to increase with the growing importance of the
community. There cannot be finality in supplying the wants of an intellectual
people whose numbers and demands in the realm of knowledge are daily expanding.
Already there are murmurs because of the want of an observatory and astronomical
instruments. There can be no question that these requirements will be supplied.

  President Chadbourne was obliged to retire in consequence of ill health in
1870, and his place was temporarily supplied by Vice President Sterling, during
whose incumbency, at first as a matter of necessity, and afterwards as a matter
of principle, young women were admitted to recite with any of the classes. The
change has proved beneficial. President Twombly, D. D., was elected in 1871, and
continued in office until 1874, when President Bascom, LL. D., D. D., was called
to the work. Under the two officers last named in succession, but more
especially under President Bascom, the institution has grown in usefulness and
in public favor, and there is no reason to doubt that the good understanding,
fully established, will be maintained.

  The income of the University from all sources, now amounts to about $80,000
per annum, and with the growth of the state generally, the prosperity of the
institution will steadily keep pace. Henceforth there will be no reason why
every young man and young woman in Wisconsin, having an ambition to possess the
advantages of complete training, should not cultivate the powers with which God
has blessed them, in the development of their intellectual faculties.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

History of Madison Section

MADISON, DANE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING TOWNS;
BEING A HISTORY AND GUIDE
TO PLACES OF SCENIC BEAUTY AND HISTORICAL NOTE FOUND IN THE TOWNS OF DANE COUNTY
AND SURROUNDINGS, INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNS, AND EARLY INTERCOURSE
OF THE SETTLERS WITH THE INDIANS, THEIR CAMPS, TRAILS, MOUNDS, ETC.

WITH A COMPLETE LIST OF
COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND OFFICERS,
AND
LEGISLATIVE MEMBEES, MADISON VILLAGE AND CITY COUNCIL.

ILLUSTRATED,
MADISON, WIS.:
PUBLISHED BY WM. J. PARK & CO.,

BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND BINDERS, 11 KING STREET.
1877.

COPYRIGHT.
WM. J. PARK & CO. 1877.

DAVID ATWOOD, STEREOTYPER AND PRINTER, MADISON, WIS.


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