USA > New York > Onondaga County > History of Onondaga County, New York > Part 37
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
an a fourned meeting for consultation in regard to a matter of great public interest. Yours, etc ,
WILLIAM D. STEWART, C. T. LONGSTREET, GIORGI F. COMSTOCK, CHAS. ANDREWS,
E. M. LEAVENWORTH, T. B. Firen,
.1. D. AmTI,
C. TALLMAN, A. MUNROL."
This note was addressed to one hundred or more of the mest wealthy and influential of our citizens. The convention thus called was largely attended and of marked interest. After brief addresses by Dr. Lore, A. J Phelps and others, without the least suggestion from members or ministers of our own denomination, the convention took measures to secure the bonding of the city for the promotion of this enterprise. Whereupon Judge Comstock was requested to draft an enabling bill, and the conven- tion issued a public call for a mass meeting of the citizens of Syracuse.
This meeting convened the following week at the City Hall. The gathering was large, enthusiastic and harmonious. The proposed bill was presented by Judge Comstock, which provided for bonding the city for the sum of $100,000, conditioned on the establishment of a college in Syracuse or im- mediate vicinity with endowment of $400,000, inde- pendent of city bonds. This bill was approved by the convention with great unanimity and at once forwarded to our representative at Albany, and im- mediately passed the Legislature and became a law.
During this year, 1866, which was observed as the Centenary of Methodism, subscriptions were secured on many of our charges in furtherance of this object. In this work, Rev. J. B. Foote, A. M., and Rer. D. D. Lore, D. D., and others were specially active and successful
In the spring of '67, Black River and Oneida Conferences fully ratified these preliminary procced- ings, elected college commissioners and appointed Rev. J. D. Adams, Rev. James Erwin and Rev. A. B. Gregg, agents to raise funds for this enterprise. Meantime volunteers among whom Rev. C. P. Ly- ford, Rev. E. Arnold, and others, were prominent, operated with marked success in securing sub- scriptions and awakening interest in favor of this movement.
The Conference of 1868 reaffirmed their con- fidence in the enterprise and reappointed commis- sioners and agents to further the cause.
From the first the Trustees of Genesee College have been true to the faith, and have done all in their power to consummate this noble work.
Failing to secure the passage of the desired bill for the removal of the college in the legislative ses. sion of '66 and '67, they renewed their efforts the following year, and procured the passage of an "en- abling," or rather a disenabling, act, authorizing the Trustees to remove the college, leaving to Lima Seminary all the real estate of the college and $75,000 of its cash endowment. The removal was opposed by the citizens of Lima who secured from the court an injunction upon the Trustees. This was a day of darkness to our enterprise. Still the
overhanging clouds were not utterly dark. The hearts of the masses and the open liberal hands of the people were with us. The pledge of $100,000 from Syracuse, and $125,000 on subscriptions, leaving only $75,000 to be raised to meet the pro- portion of our Central Conference, with assurances from the West that the required balance should be timely met, shed some light upon our darkness. Still the persistent opposition of interested parties at Lima, the disabilities of the so-called " Enabling act," and the legal restraints of an injunction upon the Trustees, made the timid falter and even our faithful agents in mid-season thought it wise to turn to other means of livelihood, and some of the people began to talk of defeat. But the original and abiding friends of the enterprise who never so much as thought of defeat or mortification, only talked of a " change of base."
In the midst of this peril, in the darkest hour of the dark day, one who spoke the sentiments of the many, with almost prophetic assurance, exclaimed, " We shall see in due time a magnificent university towering up on some of the high lands of our Cen- tral City, standing there a living record of constan- cy and perseverance, a blessing to the great State in which we live, a perpetual honor to the church we represent, and an imperishable monument to the praise and glory of the great head of the church. God hasten the day when the vision shall be real."
Thus, while many were disheartened and para- lyzed by murmurings of coming evil, others were looking and hoping, praying and planning, when al- most as if by magic the air was vocal, a voice from the center echoing from the West and the East, from the South and the North, cried let us have a convention-a great Methodist State Convention. Let us come together and deliberate upon great is- sues that concern the church and the State-es- pecially let us combine the wisdom and strength of the people and take some new step which shall put our great educational interests beyond peradven- ture.
In the order of Providence, the auspicious day appeared. On the 22d day of February, 1870, the Convention came, and the able utterances and wise deliberations of many distinguished men, with the skillful supervision of the President, Rev. J. T. Peck, D. D., made it a great occasion in more re- spects than one. While it conserved in a high de- grec other interests vital to religious and social life, it was the day-spring to our long cherished project of establishing on some prominence of our beauti- ful city, halls of science and letters, to rejoice our own hearts and make glad and elevate the genera- tions to come
The interest of this convention was greatly inten- sified by the passage of the following resolution :
" Resolved, That this State convention of the M. E. Church of New York, approves of the plan to establish without delay, in the city of Syracuse or its immediate vicinity, a first-class university, and that we recommend that immediate measures be taken to raise at least $500,000 to endow the univer- sity."
SYRACUSE BUIL!
UNIVERSITY BLOCK
INIVERSITY INGS.
MEDICAL COLLEGE
169
HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
But the grand climax was reserved until name after name was announced with magnificent sub- scriptions for the university, inspiring and electrify- ing the people beyond measure. Perhaps no better description can be given of this hour of thrilling in- terest and prophetic history, than is set forth in the following abstract of the published proceedings of the convention. After the close of the several able and stirring speeches on this subject, Dr. Jesse T. Peck arose, evidently impressed with the historic significance of the occasion, and said : " I have heard it said that talk will not build a college, but that money will. I propose that you instruct Brother Ives to stand here on the platform and see how much can be raised here and now. All in favor of this say aye" The proposition was unanimously approved, and Rev. B. I. Ives came forward and said : " I liked that brother's speech over yonder, and about the last thing he said was, 'Send us Brother Ives.' Here I am, and I am after you." Mr. Ives asked for two hundred thousand dollars from the audience.
The first subscription was in the following words and read by Rev. Dr. Lore :
" I will be one of four to subscribe $25,000 each, making $ 100,000, towards endowing four professor- ships, when the University to be located at Syra- cuse, is legally and practically established ; with the understanding that I with my good wife, appropriate the savings of a life-time to the payment of this sub- scription and make arrangements for any balance which may be unpaid at our decease, to be paid from our estate.
JESSE T. PECK."
F. H. Root, Esq., proposed to pay the interest on twenty-five thousand dollars for five years. E. Remington pledged to pay twenty-five thousand dollars as soon as circumstances permit, which will be soon. Rev. J. F. Crawford pledged twenty-five thousand dollars. Hon. George F. Comstock pledged the interest of twenty-five thousand dollars for ten years. Additional subscriptions were then made, in sums varying from ten thousand dollars to one hundred dollars, and amounting in the aggregate to one hundred and eighty-one thousand dollars.
Though these figures partially depreciated so as to leave a real footing of about $160,000, still this was the grand breeze which set our stranded bark adrift and turned her prow towards the glorious harbor. This goodly craft, so suddenly emerged from jeop- ardy, the convention christened "The Syracuse University" and at once proceeded to elect the fol- lowing
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
At Large : Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes, D. D., of New York : Hon. Reuben E. Fenton.
Genesee Conference : Rev. Thomas Carlton, D. D., Rev. A. D. Wilbor, A. M., F. H. Root, Esq., J. N. Scatchard, Esq.
East Genesee Conference : Rev. J. E. Latimer, D. D., Hon. D. A. Ogden, A. M., David Decker, Esq., Ezra Jones, Esq.
Central New York Conference : Rev. D. D. Lore, D. D., Rev. A. J. Phelps, Rev. B. I. Ives, Rev. J. F. Crawford, E. Remington, Esq.
Wyoming Conference : Rev. H. R. Clark, D. D., Rev. D. W. Bristol, D. D., Hon. H. G. Prindle.
Black River Conference : Rev. J. S. Bingham, Rev. S. R. Fuller, A. M., Hon. Willard Ives.
Troy Conference : Rev. J. T. Peck, D. D., Rev. J. E. King, D. D., Rev. Bostwick Hawley, D. D., Prof. H. Wilson, A. M.
New York Conference : Rev. M. D'C. Crawford, D. D., Professor Alonzo Flack, A. M., Philip Phil- lips.
New York East Conference : Rev. George Lansing Taylor, A. M .. John Stephenson, Esq,, John H. Ockershausen, Esq.
City of Syracuse : Judge G. F. Comstock, Rev. E. Arnold, Hon. Charles Andrews, W. W. Porter, M. D., T. B. Fitch, Esq.
The Board convened immediately after the con- vention, and organized under the general law, elect- ing Rev. J. T. Peck, D. D., President of the Board, Rev. D. D. Lore, D. D., Secretary, and T. B Fitch, Esq., Treasurer. An executive committee was also elected, consisting of Rev. J. T. Peck, D. D., Rev. D. D. Lore, D. D., Hon. G. F. Comstock, T. B. Fitch, Esq., Hon. C. Andrews, Rev. A. J. Phelps and Rev. E. Arnold ; at a meeting held in April, 1870, Rev. E. C. Curtis was elected General Agent for the University, and in the month of September last, the Board unanimously selected the beautiful grounds where we are standing, as the site for our Syracuse University, and appointed a committee to supervise the grading of the grounds and the erection of the Hall of Languages.
Our distinguished Agent, Rev. E. C. Curtis, with the self-sacrificing and masterly cooperation of the President of the Board, Rev. Dr. J. T. Peck, has been eminently successful and the people have re- sponded nobly. And while it might be impractica- ble to make special reference to every liberal offer- ing, we are constrained to record one of the noble acts of the Hon Remingtons, - the gift of the St. Charles Block. This property was purchased at a cost of $120,000, and freely bestowed, one-half upon the University and one-half upon the College of Missionaries and other church purposes. This and other free-will offerings of the people have advanced our assets to a very encouraging amount.
While it appears that but little more than half of the old Genesee College subscriptions have been transferred, still independent of the "College of Missionaries," which is no part of the University, we have now on hand in bonds, subscriptions and other property, over $550,000. With this amount secured, and with the flattering prospect of increased subscriptions, the trustees at their meeting in May last, judged it expedient to open the college the present season, and accordingly proceeded in due time to elect the following faculty, viz :
Rev. Daniel Steele, D. D., Vice-President, Pro- fessor of Mental and Moral Philosophy.
John R. French, A. M., LL. D., Professor of Mathematics.
Rev. Wesley P. Codington, A. M., Professor of Greek Language and Literature.
Rev. J. J. Brown, A. M., Professor of Chemistry.
27*
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Rev. Charles W. Bennett, D. D., Professor of History and Logic.
Heman II. Sanford, A. M., Latin Language and Literature.
George F. Comfort, A. M., Modern Languages and Esthetics.
Professor J. P. Griffin was elected Clerk, Librarian and Registrar.
And on this 31st day of August, 1871, it has been our distinguished privilege to witness the im- pressive ceremonies of inaugurating the faculty. And now we stand at the base of what promises to be an imposing structure, whose history must be penned by other hands and in other times.
"We are here to lay the corner stone of the Syracuse University. This is the day towards which many longing, praying. hoping hearts have looked with intense desire. The Lord be praised, the day has come. The long night of fear has passed ; the morning beams fall on our cheerful faces and the precious sunlight shines brightly on our glad, rejoic- ing hearts. But the full day is not yet. The meridian glory waits for the future. May heaven grant that the coming history may be exceedingly transcendant as compared with the past, and that many redeemed, purified and thoroughly furnished scholars may pass out over the threshold here to be laid, to grace and honor the church and the world, and to stand up in the last great day and call the Syracuse University blessed."
The above sketch brings down the history of the Syracuse University to the laying of the corner- stone of the " Hall of Languages," August 31, 1871. It should be added that in April, 1870, a general agent had been appointed, and in Septem- ber of the same year, the ground selected and put under contract for grading. After extensive cor- respondence and frequent interviews with prominent educators in regard to the buildings, architects were invited to submit plans, and that of Horatio N. White, Esq., of this city, being accepted, the con- mittee proceeded to erect the " Hall of Languages," which was completed and occupied in 1875. The College grounds, which are ample for all present and prospective needs, are situated upon the eminence at the southern extremity of University Avenue, and command a fine view of the city and lake and the surrounding country to a wide extent.
1
Alexander Winchell, LL. D., was chosen Chan- cellor of the University in June, 1872. Upon his resignation, June 24, 1874, Rev. E. O. Haven, D. D., LL. D., late President of the Northwestern University, was unanimously elected Chancellor and President of the College of Liberal Arts, and at once accepted and entered upon his official duties.
TRUSTEES.
The Charter of the University bears the date of March 25, 1870. It places the government of the
Institution in the hands of forty-one Trustees who are named in the instrument, with power to provide for the appointment of their successors. The By- Laws of the University ordain that nine trustees shall be appointed " at large," comprising at least six who are not members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church ; that twenty-seven shall represent the Methodist Episcopal Conferences of the State ; that three shall be chosen by the Alumni ; that certain State officers shall be ex-officio representa- tives of the State government, while the Chancel- lor of the University is made the representative of the Faculties.
The Trustees for 1877 are classified as follows :
EX-OFFICIO.
His Excellency, Lucius Robinson, Governor of the State ; His Honor, William Dorsheimer, Lieu- tenant-Governor ; Hon. Neil J. Gilmour, Superin- tendent of Public Instruction ; Hon. Sanford E. Church, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals ; Rev. E. O. Haven, D.D., LL. D, Chancellor of the University.
ELECTED BY THE BOARD.
Rev. Benoni I. Ives, Auburn, term expires 1878 ; Hon. George F. Comstock, LI .. D., Syracuse, 1878 ; John Crouse, Esq., Syracuse, 1878 : Rev. Bishop Jesse T. Peck, D. D., Syracuse, 1880 ; James J. Belden, Esq., Syracuse, 1880 ; Alfred A. Howlett, Esq., Syracuse, 1880; Hon. Charles Andrews, Syracuse, 1882 ; Thomas B. Fitch, Esq , Syracuse, 1882.
ELECTED BY THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
Prof. James H. Hoose, A. M., Ph. D., Cortland, term expires 1878 ; J. D. F. Slee. A. M., Esq., Elmira, 1880 ; Prof. J. D. Steele, A. M., Ph. D., Elmira, 1882.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
President, David Decker, Esq. ; First Vice- Presi- dent, Hon. George F. Comstock, L.L. D .; Second Vice-President, Francis H. Root, Esq. ; Secretary, Rev. D. W. C. Huntington, D. D. ; Treasurer, Jonathan C. Chase.
Executive Committee-E. O. Haven, George F. Comstock, Thomas B. Fitch, John Crouse, W. W. Porter, J. J. Belden.
General Agent-Rev. E. C. Curtis, 727 Irving street.
OBJECTS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
The Syracuse University is the natural outgrowth of a conviction entertained by the large body of people interested in its administration, that they should have such an institution under their control, 1 1
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
not far from the center of the State of New York. Like nearly all universities, ancient and modern, it has been founded and is largely controlled by people who are united by a common religious purpose, and it is intended to promote the highest welfare of its students, physical, mental and moral. The convic- tion that such an institution was needed was often expressed in 'Conferences and Conventions, and finally in 1870, embodied itself in a resolution in a large State Convention, to establish without delay in the city of Syracuse, or its immediate vicinity, a University. The city of. Syracuse, in its corporate capacity, presented for this purpose one hundred thousand dollars, and the managers of the enter- prise, in return for this favor, have secured an ad- ditional property of at least four hundred thousand dollars more, and also provided in their charter for a Board of Trustees, to be composed of some of the chief officers of the State, and also largely of persons not committed particularly to one religious denom- ination, so as to ensure at once freedom from sect- arianism in politics and religion. Not wholly under the control of either the State or the Church, but responsible to both, it will endeavor to cultivate the positive excellences that each would ensure, and avoid the exclusiveness, or evils of any kind, that might follow a bondage to either. An intention to accomplish this end will explain some of the pecu- liarly liberal provisions of the by-laws adopted by the Trustees.
It may be well to note that the pledge to the city of Syracuse-to obtain, additional to the one hun- dred thousand dollars, at least four hundred thou- sand dollars, has been fulfilled. A beautiful site of fifty acres has been purchased, high and salubrious, overlooking the city, Onondaga Lake, and the sur- rounding country ; an elegant and spacious building for the Colleges of Liberal Arts and of the Fine Arts has been completed ; a good and substantial building for the Medical College, near the heart of the city, has been obtained ; and a productive en- dowment fund of about one hundred thousand dollars has been secured. More money has been conditionally pledged by some of its friends, and it is confidently hoped that within a short time it will be placed beyond pressing want. Thus, situated as it is, near the center of the State, with many friends who are determined that it shall be a permanent founda- tion of the best culture in science, philosophy, art and religion, it will continue to receive donations, large and small, and fulfill the purposes of its founders.
COLLEGES OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Three Colleges are at present organized and in operation, viz :
I. The College of Liberal Arts.
II. The Medical College.
III. The College of Fine Arts.
The College of the Liberal Arts which went into operation in 1871, is intended to offer a curriculum of study which shall serve as a means of broad and symmetrical general culture to those who pursue it, and shall also place them in possession of those fundamental facts and principles which underlie the methods of all successful business. It constitutes, therefore, a thorough introduction to advanced scholarship, and the intelligent pursuit of the prac- tical business of life, as well as a fitting preparation for the study of any of the learned professions. Recognizing the diversity of tastes and of ulterior purposes on the part of persons seeking a liberal culture, four distinct courses of study have been provided, each of which, it is believed, will secure to the diligent student, what may be styled a truly liberal education. These are the Classical Course, The Latin Scientific Course, the Greek Scientific Course, and the Scientific Course. It is desired that each of these be brought to such a status as to imply a similar amount of preparatory and collegiate study.
The Medical College was opened in 1872. Its Faculty is unusually large, and the field of instruc- tion is correspondingly varied and extensive. The first five months of the collegiate year are devoted chiefly to instruction by lectures and demonstra- tions ; the next five months chiefly to instruction by the method of recitations. The last term, how- ever, is optional with the student.
The College of the Fine Arts, which went into operation in 1873, is intended to afford a broad and liberal culture in the field of esthetics. The in- struction, accordingly, is not restricted to exercises in the manipulations of art, nor even the acquisi- tion of the especial theories and principles of the fine arts, but embraces, with both these ends, the pursuit of a well-balanced course in all those gen- eral studies tributary to the formation of accom- plished artists, art-critics, and appreciators of fine art.
LIBRARIES.
The Libraries of the University offer very desi- rable facilities for reference and general reading, while it is a leading object of the University to en- large means of this class as rapidly as possible. A donation of $5,000 within the year 1876 has been judiciously expended in enlarging the General Li- brary. The library of the Medical College is kept at their building. With the General Library, in the Hall of Languages, is connected a reading room
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
which, with the Library, is open from nine a. M. till one p. M., daily, except Sundays. The room is provide d with a large supply of periodical literature.
MUSEUMS.
The University is in possession of Ward's com- plete College series of casts of geological speci- mens, which are handsomely mounted and exhibited. The Curator of the State Cabinet of Natural His- tory, Prof. James Hall, LL. D., has, by direction of the State Legislature, selected and sent to it a large series of geological specimens from the duplicates of the State Cabinet. The private collection of the Professor of Geology. Zoology and Botany, consisting of several thousand specimens, chietly paleontological, is also placed at the service of stu- dents.
The Medical College is in possession of the Mu- seum formerly the property of the Geneva Medical College. This collection is extensive in the de- partment of Pathology, and is amply provided with the means of illustration of the Materia Medica. The College of the Fine Arts has several thousand photographs, engravings and chromolithographs procured in Europe and America, together with a sufficient number of plaster preparations and copies to answer the demands of the course of instruction.
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS.
Faculty-1877.
Rev. E. O. Haven, D. D., LL. D., Prest. and Prof. of the English Language and Literature ; John R. French, LL D., Prof of Mathematics, and Sec'y of the Faculty ; Rev. W. P. Codington, A. M., Prof. of Greek and Ethics ; Rev. John J. Brown, A. M .. Prof. of Chemistry and Physics ; Rev. Charles W. Bennett, D. D., Prof. of History and Logic, and Librarian ; Heman H. Sanford, A. M., Ph. D) , Prof. of the Latin Language and Literature ; George F. Comfort, A. M., Prof. of Modern Lan- guages and Esthetics ; Alexander Winchell, LL. D., Prof. of Geology, Zoology and Botany ; John Durston, A. M., Ph. D., Adjunct Prof. of Modern Languages ; WV. Locke Richardson, A. M., Instruc- tor in Elocution ; Frank Smalley, A. M., Assistant Prof. of Nat. Science.
Students 1877.
Senior Class, 21 ; Junior Class, 26; Sophomore Class, 33 ; Freshman Class, 46; Unclassified 23 ; Total, 149.
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. Faculty-1877.
Rev. E. O. Haven, D. D., LL. D., Chancellor ; John Towler, M. D., Prof. of Chem. and Toxi- cology ; Frederick Hyde, M. D , Dean of the Facul- ty, and Prof. of Prin. and Pract. of Surg. ; Henry Darwin Didama, M. D., Prof. of Prin. and Pract. of Med. and Clinical Med. : Nelson Nivison, M. D.,
Prof. of Phys., Pathology and Hygiene ; John Van Duyn, M. D., Prof. of General. Special and Surgi- cal Anat. ; Edward B. Stevens, M. D. Prof. of Mat. Med. and Therapeutics ; Charles E. Rider, M. D, Prof. of Opthalmology and Diseases of the Ear ; Hervey B. Wilber, M. D, Lecturer on In- sanity : Wilfred W. Porter, M. D. Prof of Obstet- rics and Diseases of Women ; William T. Plant, M. D., Registrar, and Prof. of Clinical and Forensic Medicine; Roger W. Pease, M. D. Prof. of Oper- ative and Clinical Surgery ; Alfred Mercer, M. D., Prof. of Minor and Clinical Surgery ; J. Otis Burt, M. D., Prof. of Diseases of Children and Dermat- ology ; Miles G. Hyde, M. D, Adjunct Prof. of Anatomy ; W'm. Manlius Smith, M. D., Prof. of Bot. and Adjunct Prof of Mat. Med ; J. Wiltsie Knapp, M. D , Demonstrator of Anatomy ; David M. Totman, M. D, Demonstrator of Anatomy ; Brace W. Loomis. M. D., Instructor in Chemistry.
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