USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 53
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student's recovery is often hazarded or postponed by the lack of suffi- cient care. In case of recovery, the student is burdened not only with the cost of his maintenance, but also with that of his sickness. Some students come from families whose circumstances are not ade- quate to meet the extra expense of an illness away from home. Students of larger means are also exposed to the dangers of sickness, without the comforts of home or scientific care. It was proposed in the article that the students should form a relief association or guild, and each contribute a limited sum, which could cause no burden to any one, to constitute a fund which could be used in behalf of invalid students. It was hoped that all students would unite cheerfully in the enterprise of relieving distress among their number, and that this organization would be recognized as a students' institution for the relief of those in need. It was proposed that the faculty should form, in union with representatives from different classes, an executive commit- tee to whom should be referred all cases of need and all applications for aid, whose duty it should be to investigate any cases of sickness or distress which might come to the attention of any member of the university.
The suggestion for an organization like this came from the system in vogue in the German universities, by which every student is assessed a limited amount every semester for hospital dues, and in case of illness has the right to demand medical attendance and care in a special ward of the hospital. Such a system was impracticable here, and the method proposed was deemed the best for meeting the existing need. A gen- erous co-operation attended this appeal. A large and representative meeting of the entire university was held in the chapel February 16, 1877, at which a permanent organization was effected. A general in- terest was felt outside the university world in the purposes of this or- ganization, and among those who sent letters promising co-operation was Miss Jennie McGraw, who requested that in case of any special demand being made upon the guild she might have an opportunity to contribute to meet it. It is probable that her attention was first called definitely at this time to the need of a university hospital, and a few months later, in drawing up her will, she made provision for the erec- tion of such a building by a gift of forty thousand dollars for that pur- pose.
Since its foundation the Cornell University Guild has constituted a permanent factor in university life. It has appealed to a generous in-
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terest on the part of students in behalf of one another, and has exer- cised a wide and beneficent influence. No year has passed when cascs of distress have not occurred which have been relieved by its kindly ministrations. In some cases the entire expenses attending the sick- ness and funeral of students have been met from its funds. The ladies of the faculty have united to furnish and defray the cost of maintain- ing a student ward in the City Hospital, which has been recently es- tablished; but the need of a university hospital, well lighted, with am- ple accommodations, with operating rooms, wards, libraries and pleas- ant parlors, where students can relieve the tedium of slow recovery, is constantly felt. The proposition of Miss McGraw to found a university hospital was, perhaps, the first which was made in this country. Sev- eral universities now have such institutions admirably equipped, such as Yale and Princeton Universities.
Scientific and literary societies have been formed by professors, the purpose of which has been to enable the members to become familiar with the various investigations which are being carried on by their colleagues in different fields of study. The most notable organization of this kind was a Philosophical Society composed of all members of the faculty, of which Professor Wilson was president, which met regu- larly for the reading and discussion of papers in all fields of knowledge. In the autumn of 1892 a Modern Language Conference was established by the professors in the departments of French, English and German, whose membership embraces all the instructors in those departments, and graduate students. It meets regularly six times a year, when papers presenting original investigations, and reviews of current litera- ture and criticism are read.
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.
The establishment of a University Press, after the example of the English universities, took place early in the history of Cornell. One of the early gifts was a Hoe printing press. It was expected that all the university publications, and works by the various professors, would be printed here, and that the university would become a center of pub- lication. A related purpose, cherished more warmly by some, was that it would open to students a valuable means of self-support who would, at the same time, acquire a valuable craft. Professor Fiske's experi- ence in journalism led to his appointment as "Director of the Univer-
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sity Press." The University Press was installed first in the basement of Morrill Hall, and the motive power was supplied by a small engine placed to the north. When the first building erected in connection with Sibley College was completed, the printing establishment found ample accommodations in a large room on the first floor. A stereotype foundry was added in the rear. For many years students found profit- able employment at the expense of the university. Many books were printed herc for publishers in the large cities, also the college papers, examination papers, etc. This experiment demonstrated, however, that material profit was impossible in philanthropy, for a deficit oceurred every year which the university treasury had to make good. The hope of success in maintaining a University Press was only abandoned reluctantly. In one of the extensions of Sibley College, as late as 1884, provision was made for rooms for printing and stereotyping.
Soon after the opening of the university, a prospectus was issued for the establishment of a weekly paper to be devoted to the interests of the university, and to represent the voice of the students in all questions of educational policy. At the hour of midnight on Decem- ber 1, 1868, "just as the clocks were striking twelve, just at the dim witching hour of midnight, a new Era came into existence," and the Cornell Era, representative of the spirit of the young univer- sity, was issued. By three o'clock in the morning the seven hun- dredth copy had been printed and folded and laid away, and the editors were on their way to their rest. The first Era, however, bears the date of November 28. The Era was first published by members of the secret societies. The volume for 1874-5 was issued by editors chosen from the senior and junior classes. The paper thus issued has maintained a continuous existence to the present time. For several years, it was the sole organ for the publication of university news. At no period of its existence has it manifested more enterprise than during those early ycars. There was a pervading atmosphere of enthusiasm in the university, and in the ideas which it represented, in those early days. The ills and discomforts of the student world in a university insufficiently equipped, the hardships consequent upon a pioneer educational life were borne easily, and dismissed humorously, in the columns of the Era. The limited number of chairs of instruction which had been established gave a unity and common interest to university matters, which has never since been surpassed. All questions of university policy werc frankly presented and discussed. Co-education
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as a phantom to be feared was criticized in advanee; the wisdom of a non-resident lecture system praised and disparaged; the interests of the university were stoudly defended against foreign attack, and the students proved themselves vigorous champions of the principles upon which the university rested. One noticeable feature of those first years was the active participation of the faculty in the support of the Era. We find a review of eurrent "Events in Europe," by Professor Goldwin Smith; "Coneerning Food," by Professor Wilder; "The Relations of High Civilization to Poetry," and "Children's Books," by Professor Corson; "A Day's Ride in Spain," by Professor Crane; "The University of Edinburgh," by Professor Law; "The Land of Fire," by Professor Fiske; "Canoe Life on the Tapajos," by Professor Prentiss; "Etymologieal Reveries," "Universities and Colleges in Japan" and " Buddistie Morality," by Professor Roehrig; "The Nature and Method of Teaching Mathematics," by Professor Wilson ; "Modern Athens," by Professor Hewett; "A Chair of Didaetics," by Professor Sprague; "Eton," by Professor Smith; "My Studies in the University of Cairo," by Professor Fiske ; several translations of articles on " Academic Study and its Mission," by Professor J. M. Hart; also translations and original artieles, by Professors MaeKoon, Wait and Russel and others. Professor Goldwin Smith contributed translations from his favorite Latin poets. Some of these have recently been included in his reeently published volumes of translations from the classies.
One of the most interesting features of the Era for many years was a series of Cornellian notes by Professor Fiske. These notes dis- eussed almost every question connected with university policy ; often- times they presented the first announcement of appointments and gifts. Many interesting sketehes of foreign university life and experience are contained in these notes. The Cornell colors, the Cornell adjective and the Latinized name of the university were all treated by his versatile pen. He sought to rouse the university muse to write college songs and he himself led the way. These articles were published under a convenient and harmless anonymity. They furnish everywhere evidenee of a skillful journalist, interesting in his individuality, and gifted in his power of description. The Eras of that day did not confine their attention primarily to loeal university news. A wide range of in- formation, and comment upon university life, and educational questions in other colleges, was also manifested. Diseussions of popular questions were frequently quoted, and formed the basis of interesting comment.
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The enthusiasm of the students for their studies found expression in frequent translations from the German poets, and occasionally from the French and the Swedish. Professor Charles Fred Hartt contributed fascinating accounts of explorations in Brazil, and interesting trans- lations from the Portuguese poets. The Era, in short, mirrored at that time the whole life of the university world, its interests, enthusiasms, sports, jokes, as well as the wider educational life around. But the Era was not destined to pursue an entirely even tenor. Questions regarding its control, or the representation of the different classes upon the Era board came to disturb its supremacy, and, one day the Cornell Times appeared, published to sustain one side in a university contest regarding the constitution of the Era. It was not long-lived, and few copies are in existence. A compromise, or readjustment of the method of choosing the editors, secured the objects for which it was founded and it quietly ceased to exist. During the first years of the university, a large body of Brazilian students were attracted hither, mainly through the personality of Professor Charles Fred Hartt. These published in the Portuguese language the Aurora Brasiliera for a short time in 1873-4. The Cornellian was the recognized organ of the secret societies and appeared first in 1870. Since that time its scope has been greatly enlarged, and the artistic element in it increased, while retaining all those features which are so representative of the life of the student world, classes, secret and literary societies, clubs, contests, victories and obituaries.
In October, 1873, a new publication appeared, the Cornell Review, designed to be the repository of original articles, essays, stories, Woodford orations, elaborate discussions and poems. It was published first by representatives of the literary societies, the Irving, Curtis and Philalathean, for which latter there was substituted in 1880 an editor from the Debating Club. From 1883, editors from the Irving and the Debating Club, and three appointed by the retiring board from each of the upper classes, conducted the Review. It was issued first as a quarterly, but after the first year as a monthly. It existed from October 1873 to June 1886. One of the most interesting features of this Review, as well as of its successor, the Cornell Magazine, has been a series of interesting notes by Professor Corson upon "English Literature," containing felicitous notes and interpretations of Shak- sperian verse and thought, which have appeared for many years, and form an extremely valuable collection of "Shaksperiana."
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In 1880, a daily paper was issued the first number of which appeared on September 16, 1880, the Cornell Sun, containing a daily résumé of university news.
The increased development of the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering led the students pursuing those studies to issue in March, 1887, The Crank, the brevity of whose title as well as its ambiguous character has been since changed into the Sibley College Journal of Engineering. It has afforded a valuable medium for pre- senting the history of this important department of the university, and has contained original investigations, and often full reports of lectures which have been delivered before the Sibley College, a record of various scientific excursions instituted by the college, and interesting discoveries and inventions in the technical departments. The Cornell Magazine, which was issued as the successor of the Cornell Review, appeared first April 13, 1888, and has been issued regularly ever since, has maintained the character of its original. The editorial direction of the Review has devolved upon instructors in the department of English, and students, who have constituted a joint editorial board. A single illustrated paper is worthy of mention as being the only effort to issue and sustain a comic weekly. This was published first April 1, 1878, and though it continued but a term, it exhibited during its brief existence great artistic skill and humor which was the delight of the university world. The cost and labor of issuing a paper of this kind led, however, to its early abandonment.
Publication in connection with investigation constitutes an essential feature of the life of a university. In addition to the Philosophical Review, which has been mentioned in the description of the department of philosophy, a Review was founded to be the organ of the secondary schools called the School Review. This was published at the univer- sity under the general editorship of President Schurman from 1891 to 1893, when its publication was transferred to Colgate University, follow- ing the appointment of Instructor Thurber, who had been its managing editor, to that institution. President Schurman, however, still appears as editor-in-chief. The fact that no Review existed in this country devoted to the investigation of questions in physics led the university to establish the Physical Review, under the editorship of Professor Nichols and his colleagues in the department of physics. This Review has been issued bi-monthly and has appeared both in England and America and is recognized as a valuable organ for disseminating a
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knowledge of investigations in physics. The department of classics has issued several important philological papers under the title of Cornell University Studies in Classical Philology. The latest university pub- lication is The Cornell Law Review, which appeared June 1, 1894.
INTERCOLLEGIATE LITERARY CONTESTS.
On February 19, 1874, the delegates of fourteen colleges met in Hartford, Conn., to form an intercollegiate literary association. Of these colleges, Amherst, Bowdoin, Brown, Wesleyan and Williams were in New England, while the others were from the Middle States. Yale was not represented on account of the small interest which was mani- fested there. It was decided to form an association to be called the In- tercollegiate Association of the United States, the object of which should be to hold annual competitive exercises and examinations. Col. T. W. Higginson, who participated actively in the proccedings, said: "At present the esprit du corps of the college is confined to athletic sports. No one hears of the smart men, the best orators, law- yers, writers, and thinkers in our colleges, but if this movement suc- ceeds, the better minds will be developed because there will be a strife to gain laurels for their representative colleges. We must show that oratory is not a mere outside show. In some colleges oratory is made a matter of training, others believe it to be a thing that cannot be taught. So long as the present state of affairs lasts, so long will each college think its own system the best; but an immediate test, that will bring graduates together in actual trial, will inevitably open up the mat- ter and show which is the best method." The representatives of Cor- nell at this meeting were Messrs. R. H. Wiles, G. R. Vandewater, and G. H. Fitch, all of whom, both in college and since, have won distin- guished honor. Mr. Wiles, while favoring an oratorical contest, re- garded the true culture of colleges as the main object, and hoped that in due time written examinations in Greek, Latin, literature, mathe- matics and science would be held. He opposed the introduction of declamations as school-boyish. The first contests for which provision was made were in essays and oratory, and the public exercises were ap- pointed for January 7, 1875, in New York. The contest in oratory was held in the Academy of Music, which was filled on this occasion. Ten colleges were represented in this contest. Mr. James Frazer Gluck de- livered his successful Woodford oration of the preceding year. Repre-
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sentative men had been chosen as the judges in both contests. Cor- nell University was successful in the literary contest, receiving two out of the four prizes which were awarded. Two subjects for essays had been announced, viz., the "Utilitarian System of Morals," and the "Clowns in Shakspere." Princeton won the first prize for the best essay on the former subject, while George H. Fitch won the first, and James F. Gluck the second prize for essays on the second subject. The judges were Thomas Wentworth Higginson, James T. Fields and Rich- ard Grant White. The value of the first prize was one hundred and fifty dollars. For the following year the competition was extended to include not only oratory and essays but Greek and mathematics, and a special prize was offered for the best essay on "Arbitration as a Sub- stitute for War." The prizes had been increased in valuc for this oc- casion. Eleven colleges competed for the prize in oratory. Hamilton College received the first prize, and D. J. Tompkins, of Cornell, the second prize of one hundred and fifty dollars. The two subjects an- nounced for the regular prize essays were "Dickens and Thackcray Compared," and the "Advantages and Disadvantages of Universal Suffragc." Seven colleges competed for these prizes, and Mr. Frank E. Heath of Cornell University received the first prize of two hundred dollars for the best essay on the first subject announced. Eleven col- leges had been represented in the contest for the mathematical prize which had been held in New York, the committee being Admiral C. H. Davis, Professor Simon Newcomb and Professor Peter Michie.
The first prize of three hundred dollars was awarded to E. H. Pal- mer of Cornell; Princeton received the second prize. The committee upon oratory were William Cullen Bryant, George William Curtis and Whitelaw Reid. Eight colleges were represented in the contest in Greek. The examiners were Dr. T. W. Chambers, Dr. William R. Dimmock and Charlton T. Lewis. The first prize was awarded to Miss Julia J. Thomas of Cornell University. Great enthusiasm was mani- fcsted in Ithaca upon the reception of the news of the success of the university. A public meeting was held in Library Hall, participated in by the citizens and students, at which the successful oration was de- livered and the successful essay read, and special gifts bestowed upon the competitors by the enthusiastic citizens.
For the third intercollegiate literary contest, which was held in the Academy of Music on January 3, 1877, one additional subject had been announced for competition, viz .: "Natural Science." The committee
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in oratory consisted of Bayard Taylor, Gen. J. R. Hawley and the Rev. Dr. E. H. Chapin. Cornell University was not represented in the oratorical contest, Mr. C. H. Esty, who had been announced to ap- pear, being unable to be present.
The committee on essays awarded honorable mention to N. A. Ran- dolph and S. H. Coon, both of Cornell, for essays upon the first subjeet announced, "Hawthorne's Place in Literature," and the first prize for an essay on the "Federalist Party in the United States," to C. J. Brewer, also of Cornell. In the competition in Latin, the first prize was awarded to Emil Schwerdtfeger of Cornell, and the first prize in Greek to Eugene Frayer of Cornell. In mathematics the two papers were found to be so nearly equal that the prize was divided, C. A. Van Velzer, of Cor- nell, being mentioned first in the award. For the competition in Greek five colleges sent representatives; in mathematies, only two; in mental science, five; in oratory, ten; in Latin, five; in essays, five.
At the fourth annual eontest held in New York, January 18, 1878, Cornell University was represented in the oratorical contest by Joseph Ness, who had changed his subject from "The Power of Ideas," the subject of his Woodford oration, to " The Catholic Church a Blessing to Civilization," which was regarded as less effective. The first prize for the best essay on "The Growth of Political Parties in the United States," was awarded to Charles W. Ames of Cornell University. The second prize in mathematies was awarded to A. S. Hathaway of Cornell University.
The fifth annual intereollegiate oratorieal contest was held in Stein- way Hall, New York, Friday evening, January 10, 1879. In the oratori- cal contest Mr. A. C. Wakeley represented Cornell University. The second prize in Greek was divided between Mr. J. A. Haight of Cor- nell, and M. W. Nourse of Wesleyan. A. S. Hathaway, of Cornell, received the first prize in mathematies.
Several wealthy persons in New York had contributed during the first years to pay for the prizes which were awarded. When this sup- port of the Intereollegiate Association eeased, it was proposed to make the organization a college affair, to be supported by a tax of fifty dollars from each college which sent competitors, which was later lessened to twenty-five dollars. This change introdueed an element of uneertainty in the support of the organization. The large number of colleges which had beeome members lessened the interest, and created uncer- tainty as to its future, and led to its final abandonment. Its judges
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from the first had been men of the highest reputation, whose decision upon the merit of any question would be universally recognized as of authority. Had the support of the society been more skillfully arranged, and participation in the various contests limited, it is proba- ble that it would still have a useful existence. The success of the uni- versity in purely literary and scientific contests emphasized the solid character of the instruction which was given in its various departments. In Greek, Latin, mathematics and essays, it had won distinguished recognition; in oratory, Hamilton College; in mental seience, Prince- ton ; in Latin, Rutgers; in mathematics, the University of the City of New York attained especial honor.
ATHLETICS.
As soon as the enthusiastic students of the university had familiar- ized themselves with their new home, they undertook the organization of the various athletic interests. During the summer of 1869, Har- vard had gallantly sent a crew to England to contest with Oxford the dominion of the seas, and during the same year the Undine Boat Club was formed here, which was more a prophecy of future success than an achievement, for it did little to promote practical boating. During the visit of Mr. Thomas Hughes to Ithaca in the autumn of 1870, he gave a personal narration of his own experiences as an oarsman, with which the students were in part familiar in "Tom Brown at Oxford." Discussion at once became rife, which, on April 17, 1871, resulted in the formation of the University Boat Club, composed of all classes of undergraduates. In May following, the name Cornell Navy was adopted as the final name for the boating interests of the university. A boathouse was erected on the inlet near the steamboat landing, and a clumsy eight-oared barge, the "Cornell," built in Ithaca, and a four- oared outrigger, "Buffalo," constituted the university fleet. A little later a six-oared lapstreak barge with blue and white stripes, called the "Striped Pig," was purchased. Tradition says that at the first meet- ing, the chairman's request that those gentlemen present who had ever used the spoon oar would rise, was answered by one individual, rising modestly and remotely, and also that upon the first trip in the "Buf- falo" the crew was covered with disgrace and water in about equal proportions, by capsizing in the inlet at the order "oars a-peak." The responsibility for this difficult and intricate manœuvre was long dis-
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