Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 67

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 67

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The laboratory is equipped for commercial testing as well as for educational purposes. While commercial testing is primarily of value only to the persons for whom the test is made, incidentally it is found of great value educationally, as giving variety to the laboratory inves- tigation, and showing the practical nature and the usefulness of experi- mental work. Such income as may be obtained from that work is largely or entirely devoted to extending the laboratory plant, or in scientific research.

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CORNELL UNIVERSITY.

The laboratory for strength of materials has in its equipment one Emery testing machine of 200,000 pounds capacity, of especially fine workmanship, and one of 60,000 pounds from the Yale & Towne Co., especially constructed for the purpose of standardizing Emery machines.

The hydraulic laboratory is equipped with stationary and portable weirs, nozzles, and Venturi tubes, by means of which the flow of water can be measured. The hydraulic machines to which the students have access for experimental purposes consist of several small water motors, centrifugal and rotary pumps, and hydraulic ram, in rooms of the laboratory, and in addition they have access to the hydraulic machinery used for power purposes and for the water works.

The laboratory for the measurement of friction is equipped with four of Thurston's machines for the determination of the coefficient of friction, and one of Bouldt's oil-testing machines for cylinder oils, and apparatus for the measurements of the viscosity, chilling points, and flashing points of various oils.

The laboratory for the measurement of transmitted power is supplied with several dynamometers, having a capacity ranging from one-half to 160 horse power each.

For experiments with compressed air the laboratory is supplied with two air compressors, a Westinghouse air brake outfit, and a rock drill. With heating and ventilating apparatus a number of experiments have been made, but no systematic eourse has been laid out.

The laboratory of steam engineering is the most important in princi- pal use, from its relation to the motive power. This is located in two rooms remote from the principal laboratory building, but adjacent to the boiler plant which supplies the university with both heat and power.

The "experimental engine " is a triple-expansion engine with Corliss valve gear. The engine will give about 200 horse power and is so arranged that it can be run as a simple engine, as triple-expansion or compound, condensing or non-condensing, with or without steam jackets as required. The engine occupies with its accessories a floor space of 36 by 40 feet.

It is this latest field of engineering work which is to be occupied by the graduates of Sibley College and its rivals throughout the world. The course of instruction commences where the high school instruction in the higher mathematics and in the physical sciences ends, and col- lege work in those subjects begins. It includes so much of the most advanced mathematics, and of physics and chemistry, as are required

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for application in professional practice, and adds to these the purely professional instruction which constitutes the formal part of the work of training the young engineer for entrance upon the duties of his chosen vocation. Meantime, also, the several mechanic arts are taught to the young engineer as systematically and completely as is possible in the small amount of time available in the midst of his studies. He learns the art of woodworking by a series of graded and carefully planned exercises, each leading from a simpler and easier to a more in- tricate and difficult problem in the use of the tools of his trade, and, in a marvelously short time, becomes, if he has the genius for it (withont which he should never enter an engineering school), a good carpenter and patternmaker. He enters the foundry or the blacksmith shop in his second year, and learns there the best methods of molding, or of black - smithing and toolmaking, and leaves with two additional trades more or less completely at his command. In many cases, very admirable, often beautiful, work is performed by these novices after a wonderfully short period of practice. Leaving the blacksmith shop and the foun- dry, the student concludes his course of trade instruction in the ma- chine shop, where he is given, first, as in the other trades, a series of graded exercises, which gradually lead up to the most difficult and ex- acting tests of skill known to the skilled mechanic, and, once con- quered, the young man is able to use any tool, and with it do any ap- propriate work. He is then allowed to test his powers in the construc- tion of steam engines, lathes, and other machine tools, and on impor- tant work of construction of all kinds. Meantime, and throughout the whole four years of his college course, he receives an uninterrupted line of instruction and practice in the draughting room, and learns there to employ freehand drawing in making the sketches from which he is taught to make later finished drawings. He is also, at the same time, and in parallel courses of lectures and text-book work, instructed in the principles of the resistance of materials, and their application in the proportioning of parts and of completed machines, in such a manner that he can, if he makes the most of his opportunities, easily and correctly plan any form of machine, the purpose of which is pre- scribed. The student in Sibley College is thus made competent to earn a living at any one of five different trades, and is given a professional, scientific, and practical education. At the same time he is prepared to enter upon the practice of one of the most lucrative of professions, and to direct intelligently every operation which is involved in the car- rying out of his plans.

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CORNELL UNIVERSITY.

Sibley College has for its main purpose the education of young men in the scientific branches, upon which the constructive professions, and . especially that of mechanical engineering in all its many departments, are based. Engineering, as a profession, has for its field of action the construction of all forms of structures and machinery, and is divided, as it becomes more and more specialized, into many departments. A century ago, engincers like Smeaton, Telford, and their contempo- raries, were expected to be prepared to give advice in all engineering lines, to make designs, to supervise the construction of docks and ca- nals, of steam engines and factories alike, and to have perfect familiar- ity with all their details.

In the early part of the century the builder of public works, of the recently instituted railways, and of roads and bridges, found it im- possible to keep himself informed of the progress of the mechanic arts which had then, through the genius of Watt and others, com- menced a wonderful development, and the civil engineer surrendered all the work of the construction of machinery to the mechanical en- gineer, retaining only stationary structures not architectural. In these later days the mechanical engincer finds the same process of specializa- tion and of differentiation going on which divide his work into marine, railway, locomotive, clectrical and mill engineering, the construction of textile machinery, and possibly still others; all of which are simply subdivisions of the larger half of the profession of engineering.

Specialization is to some extent practicable, even in the regular course; and the student proposing to enter upon the work of electrical distribution of light or of power, if well prepared in the earlier por- tion of the work in Sibley College, may, in the latter part of the four years' course, give special attention to this attractive subject. Fully one-half of all the students who enter the college make this division in their final work. The student may also, if fully prepared, study ma- rine engineering and naval architecture. A graduate school in this de- partment was established in Sibley College, by authority of the trus- tees, in 1890, and it has accomplished excellent work. Those who de- sire special instruction in locomotive construction, find the department of industrial drawing prepared to give instruction in this line of de- sign. Other departments of engineering are expected to be opencd as opportunity offers, and capital-the primary essential of all progress in the schools as well as in business-can be secured. In all special, as well as in regular instruction, the student comes to his work well

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prepared in mathematics, in applied mechanics, and in the physical sciences, which have been investigated with the aid of higher mathe- matics. Extended instruction is given in the principles of machine designing, and in proportioning the parts of machinery; in the princi- ples and practice of metallurgy, and in the study of the nature, the characteristics, and the uses of the various materials of engineering construction ; in kinematics, the science of motion in machines, and in the study of the history, the present standard forms and the principles of economical design, construction, and operation of the most impor- tant representative classes of machinery. The student who graduates with five trades at his command, and his scientific education, with such extended practical applications, if he has the right spirit and even but moderate talent in his chosen field, is evidently fairly independent of the world.

Hundreds of young men have graduated from Sibley College in the few years of its work in this highest field, doubly and triply armored against the vicissitudes of life, and prepared to conquer the highest success in their chosen vocation. They have already taken possession of their full share of the most desirable positions in the engineering profession, and of the great work in progress throughout the country. They fill professor's ehairs in almost all the most important engineer- ing schools and colleges of the country, and are introducing every- where methods of practical instruction which first received form in Sib- ley College. The professors of engineering of other institutions also come to Sibley College, in considerable numbers, to learn there, by practice, the best laboratory methods and the best methods of fitting up their own departments for similar work. Sibley College, is thus do- ing its work within its own walls and outside them, in the instruction of large bodies of students of all departments of engineering, in train- ing teachers of engineering, and in its gift to the world of the results of its own experience. Its departments of research are training numer- ous talented men in the methods of experimental investigation, and its professors and their pupils in the graduate department -- sometimes even in the undergraduate-are continually giving to the profession and to the world new and valuable contributions to existing knowledge in the fields of pure and applied science, and in the as yet unconquered fields of the inventor, the mechanic, and the engineer. These contri- butions are published in the Sibley Journal of Engineering, a monthly magazine of high character, conducted by a board of editors elected

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by the student-body from among themselves, with an advisory board selected from the faculty. These are also issued, often in elaborate form, in the transactions of learned societies, of which many of the faculty are members, and to whose proceedings they are frequent con- tributors, as well as to scientific and technical journals on both sides the Atlantic. Sibley College has thus become the largest department of the Cornell University, and aims to fulfill its prescribed mission so as to promote the best interests of the engineering profession, and con- tribute to the advance of science throughout the world.

The officers of Sibley College are: Dr. R. H. Thurston, director; Professor W. R. Durand, principal of the graduate school of marine engineering; Professor J. L. Morris, head of the department of me- chanic arts; Professor R. C. Carpenter, head of the department of cx- perimental engineering; Professor H. J. Ryan, head of the department of electrical engineering; Professor E. C. Cleaves, head of the depart- ment of drawing; and Professor J. H. Barr, head of the department of machine design, and associated with the director, who is also pro- fessor of mechanical engineering, also a large body of assistants and instructors of various grades.

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.

EARLY in the history of the university, propositions were made for the establishment of professional schools. At the fourth meeting of the Board of Trustees, held in Ithaca, October 21, 1866, a communication was presented from certain prominent physicians in New York propos- ing the organization of a medical department of the university, to be located in that city. This application was referred to a committee of the trustees to examine and report. This report was presented on the 13th of February, 1867. The committee decided that the establishment of a medical department in Ithaca was not at that time desirable, on account of the impossibility of combining theoretical and clinical in- struction successfully. The committee were, however, of the opinion that a medical school should be established in connection with the uni- versity, and that its location should be in the city of New York. As

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the gentlemen who presented this application were members of the homeopathic school, the question of the recognition of a body differing in theory from the regular school of medical science had to be con- sidered. It was recognized that in the essential features, the science of medicine as taught in the two schools was alike, viz., in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, surgery, toxicology and materia medica, but that in the department of therapeutics there was an essential differ- ence. In view of the fact that schools of medicine representing the established practice were attached to several existing colleges, the com- mittee felt that the science of medicine' as represented by the homeo- pathic school should receive favorable consideration. It was proposed, therefore, that the board should accept the proposition of the phy- sicians who had presented the memorial, and that details of the ar- rangement of the proposed school should be referred to a committee, who should be empowered to confer with the applicants upon the fol- lowing basis: First, that the professors of the medical school should be appointed by the trustees on the recommendation and nomination of the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society, it being under- stood that the trustees would not withhold their assent from any nomi- nation upon any other grounds than want of high professional stand- ing, or of personal character in the nominee. The university reserved the right, in order to avoid any charge of partiality to either school, to appoint in the proposed school professors of allopathic and eclectic therapeutics, whenever they should think proper to do so, who should enjoy all privileges of the regular professor of therapeutics, or to es- tablish a department under the charge of allopathic professors. Students graduating should receive their degree without any reference to the school in which they desired to practice. The university reserved the right to impart instruction in medicine at Ithaca to any degree, and in any manner thought advisable, and the university was not to be re- sponsible for the financial support of the proposed school.

At the same meeting, a memorial was presented from a committee of the Congregational State Association, consisting of the Rev. Drs. J. Douglas and Joseph Thompson, of New York, and W. A. Budington, of Brooklyn, acting in behalf of the association, which asked the board to approve a plan to endow certain professorships, which could not be deemed denominational. It was proposed to establish a theological seminary in connection with the university. Halls or colleges for theological study have been established in connection with the univer-

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sity of Oxford, like Mansfield College and with Harvard University, which, in addition to the Harvard Divinity School, containing profes- sorships filled by eminent scholars of various denominations, has, in its immediate vicinity, the Episcopal Theological School, to whose students certain privileges of attendance at lectures and in the use of the univer- sity library are extended. The attitude of the governing boards at Harvard has always been favorable to the establishment of such schools in its vicinity. These separate colleges constitute together one center of learning. President Eliot has sought with wise liberality to enlarge the Harvard Divinity School, so that it shall represent in its broadest sense the scientific study of Oriental languages, ecclesiastical history and theology. The report of the committee of the trustees of Cornell University, held that it would be inexpedient to furnish facilities for the use of lecture rooms, or dormitory accommodations for any such school. They were willing that such a seminary should be established in Ithaca, and would welcome similar institutions by other denomina- tions. They placed on record the statement that, "we value any in- stitution which will bring earnest men of scholarship and culture near to the university. They, therefore, recommend that university statutes be passed, admitting theological students to the lecture rooms and libraries on the same easy terms required of resident graduates of the university itself; and secondly, that every privilege of the university regarding lectures or library be extended to the faculty of any theo- logical institution established in Ithaca, which is extended to the faculty of the university." Difficulties seem to have arisen in the execution of both these plans. In March, 1873, an additional effort was made by the physicians in New York to secure the establishment of a medical school in that city, constituting a part of this university. It was be- lieved by those who presented the memorial, that a sufficient sum would be immediately available, to erect a building and supply its equipment, and also that a faculty of great eminence could be at once secured. This application, as presented, does not seem to have been considered favorably. The school, as proposed, was to contain lecturers repre- senting various thcories, or views of medical science. It was believed that, the inability of the university to provide certain important chairs of instruction, made it inexpedient to attempt to found a medical school at a distance, whose administration would necessarily present difficul- ties, and possibly complications. A third effort to establish a medical department in connection with the university was made in 1887, when

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at the meeting of the trustees of June 6, a committee was appointed to consider the desirability of taking preliminary measures for the es- tablishment of a medical department, either independently, or by ar- rangement with some existing institution. Certain propositions had been presented by those interested in the Graduate School of Medicine in New York, looking to its incorporation as a part of the university. The question of constituting Bellevue Medical College a part of the university was agitated, and a committee appointed to eonsider the sub- ject, February 23, 1892. No final agreement was reached in the case of either of these applications. For many years there has existed in connection with this university, what has been termed a medical prepar- atory course, which, under the efficient direction of Dr. Wilder, imparted valuable instruction in comparative and human anatomy and phys- iology, also in microscopy and biology. Many graduates of this school have attained the highest eminence in their profession In a single year four pupils received the highest recognition of scholarship, upon graduating from as many different medical schools. The subject of es- tablishing a medical school in connection with the university in Ithaca has appealed strongly to the trustees. They have recognized the necessity of securing in advance an adequate endowment for its sup- port, as well as the establishment of hospitals or wards in the vicinity of the university, which should afford the necessary clinical and hospital practice. The establishment of such a school must be regarded as an event of a not remote future.

On the 7th of March, 1887, the trustees decided to establish a school of pharmacy, to be open for the admission of students at the beginning of the fall term of that year. It was proposed to found a course of study of equal rank in point of thoroughness and scientific character with the courses in the university, and that the training given should be adequate to prepare students for positions of responsibility as dis- pensing or manufacturing chemists. The law establishing a State Board of Pharmacy, which should license all druggists, was designed to advance the standing of that profession, and it was thought that stu- dents in large numbers would be induced to prepare themselves for pharmaceutical chemists, for which the existing courses in chemistry, botany and microscopical technology, offered special inducements. Mr, William Angell Viall was appointed instructor, and later assistant pro- fessor of practical pharmacy and lecturer on materia medica. The hopes of attracting large numbers of students to the school were not

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realized, and the department was formally abolished on September 24, 1890,

LAW SCHOOL.

Attention was also early ealled to the expedieney of establishing a law department in connection with the university. The courses in history and political science, in constitutional and international law, and in the history of institutions already furnished instruction in depart- ments elosely related to the eurrieulum of a law school. Many students who contemplated professional studies desired the facilities for pursuing them herc. Articles appeared in the college press in favor of such an institution long before its realization seemed possible, President Adams, in his first report, recommended to the trustees for favorable consider- ation, the establishment of a law department to be opened in the autumn of 1887. At the meeting of the trustees, held November 20, 1885, a committee was appointed to consider and report on the practi- cability and expediency of the early establishment of a law department in this university, sueh report to include the whole subject of the plan of organization. This committee consisted of President Adams, Messrs. Boardman, Gluek. Williams and Woodford. This committee presented a careful report upon the questions involved in the establishment of such a school, at the meeting of the trustees held June 16, 1886, which report was accepted and its recommendation unanimously adopted. The importance of a thorough legal training was considered, and it was held that the provision for legal edueation already existing was not ample, and that in many eases, where schools existed, they were private enterprises without endowment, in which instruction was often not of that character which was demanded by the present state of legal scienee. It was held that the University was favorably situated for a law school, and that such a school might be established in accordance with the letter and spirit of the eharter. The original Land Grant Aet stated that its purpose was to promote "the liberal and practical education" of the industrial elasses in the several pursuits and professions of life. The proper equipment, and the additional demands which would be made upon the university in founding a law school, were considered and its establishment was at once recommended. The plan of the pro- posed law sehool was issued and the beginning of the school was fixed for September 23, 1887. The Honorable Douglass Boardman, whose extended experienee upon the bench made his counsel of great value,

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was elected dean, and Professor Harry B. Hutchins of the Law School of Michigan University, secretary, upon whom the executive adminis- tration of the school has devolved. As a preliminary step in the equipment of the school, the university purchased the valuable law library of Mr. Merritt King, consisting of 4,061 volumes. The opening of the school justified at once the confident hopes of its founders. The first year there were fifty-five students; in two years the numbers reached 105, and at the present time there are about 200 students. An important addition to the library of the school was made by the gift of the Moak law library which was presented to the university for the use of the school, as a memorial of its first dean, Judge Douglass Board- man, by his widow, Mrs. A. M. Boardman, and his daughter, Mrs. Ellen D. Williams. In presenting this library to the university, the Honor- able Francis M. Finch stated: "Even beyond the value of the gift, is the grace of it, for it came with the cheerful and happy freedom which waited for none to persuade, and sought only the assurance that the gift was worthy of the purpose from which it sprang. It is hardly possible to overestimate its value. I know of but one or two collec- tions in the land which are as perfect and complete. Beginning back in the shadows of the early centuries when Bracton, whose true name is in dispute, and Fleta, by an author unknown, set growing in the bark and sap of the Saxon branches innumerable grafts from the older Roman law, and with the quaint and curious year-books couched in their bar- barous Latin and primitive Norman French, the series of English reports comes down without a break to the present day. The State Trials beginning in 1163 with the arraignment of Becket, that Arch- bishop of Canterbury who ventured to question the religious suprem- acy of a not over-religious king, and passing on to their tragic and terrible stories of the blood through which liberty and justice waded to the shores of a higher civilization, the chancery volumes along the lines of which one can trace the growing strength and courage with which equity tempered the severities of the law, the colonial reports reflecting the thoughts of the motherland, but coloring all with the necessities of climate and situation, and changes born of Canadian snows, the Aus- tralian bush and the customs of many islands, all these are here in orderly rank and array and none are wanting at the call of the muster roll; and with them are massed the reports of that newer and younger life in our own land, gathered from every State in the Union omitting none, not one And with all thesc which garner up the whole

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 67

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194