USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 37
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came from choice, attracted by the fame of the college, and especially by the great reputation of its president, as a practical educator. His aggressive independence was shown in many ways. He was the first to recognize the value of the study of modern languages, the first to anticipate the importance of a knowledge of the natural sciences and of technical training. As early as 1833 a scientific course was introduced running parallel for three years with the classical course, and in 1845 a course in civil engineering was established. In this, as in other respects, Union College became a pioneer, blazing the way which nearly all our educational institutions have since taken.
Another influence contributing to the popularity and growth of the college in the first half of the last century was the development of student fraternities. To-day they represent much of the charm of undergraduate life, and occupy a field of increasing influence and importance, recognized by all but a few of our colleges. To Union belongs the distinction of originating the fraternity system and founding the oldest and best known of the Greek letter fraternities : Kappa Alpha, in 1825; Sigma Phi, in 1827; Delta Phi, in 1828; Psi Upsilon, in 1833; Chi Psi, in 1841, and Theta Delta Chi, in 1847. The sympathy of the authorities with these social and literary organizations drew many students from other colleges in the days when their aims and methods were misunderstood, and the element of secrecy led to repressive measures.
The financial history of Dr. Nott's administration is too compli- cated to be reviewed in detail within the limits of this article. At a time when the accepted ethical standards permitted the use of the lottery, many educational and religious institutions sought this ineans of raising money. Among them was Union College, which received from the legislature from time to time lottery grants for various amounts aggregating $280,000. The largest of these was a grant for $200,000 which passed the legislature in 1814. This amount, however, was not immediately realized, and the failure of the agents originally appointed to conduct the lottery led Dr. Nott to assume, eventually, the entire responsibility, and through his efficient management the college finally received the aid which the state had intended to give. For his services he was entitled to a
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HISTORY OF UNION COLLEGE.
commission, but how much he received was never known, as no report was required by the legislature, and none was given. This led, many years later, to the preferment of charges against the presi- dent of the college, and the legislature appointed an investigating cominittee. Before their report came up for final action, Dr. Nott carried out his long standing purpose and made over to the college what was practically his entire private fortune. This was so largely in excess of any amount that he could have received from the man- agement of the lotteries, that it silenced his detractors and vindicated his private character, as well as his unselfish devotion to the college with which his name had then been associated for half a century. From the beginning of the presidency, the finances of the college had been virtually under his direct personal control, and it was well understood that he made no distinction between the income of the college and his personal income, but freely drew from the latter to meet educational needs as they arose. He was not only a shrewd business man, but an inventor, and some of his inventions, notably his stoves, brought large financial returns. His own fortune, as well as the funds of the college, had been invested in Long Island City real estate. All of these large holdings became the property of the college, and under favorable conditions would have proved · of immense value, but even the genius of Dr. Nott could not foresee the course of Long Island City politics, which encouraged all that is objectionable in city life, to the serious impairment of real estate values. Notwithstanding this opposing influence, the Long Island City property proved an available asset for the support of the college for many years. It was sold in 1897 for $1,100,000, a sum sufficient, after the payment of debts, to cover all the funds which from first to last had been invested in the property.
After serving for nearly fifty years, and when approaching his eightieth birthday, Dr. Nott felt it advisable to share in some measure the executive responsibility, and the Rev. Laurens P. Hickok, D. D., was called from Auburn Theological Seminary to the office of vice president of the college; but although this led to a division of labor, Dr. Nott remained the actual as well as the nominal head of the col- lege until his death in 1866, at the advanced age of 93 years.
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The effect of the Civil War was seriously felt during the close of his administration, and there is abundant reason for the claim that Union suffered more than any other northern college during that period of strife. The college had always been popular in the south, and in 1860 nearly every southern state was represented among the undergraduates. All of these students left with the outbreak of hostilities, and at the same time many of their friends and class- mates from the north answered the call of President Lincoln for volunteers. The story has often been told of the company that was drilled daily on the college campus by the Professor of Modern Lan- guages, Colonel Peissner, who afterwards fell at Chancellorsville. Of the students who left for the war only a few returned to complete their course. Among these was Harrison E. Webster, who later became the president of the college.
But the Civil War was not alone responsible for the loss of students, and with it the loss of prestige, during this period. The college missed the vigorous leadership of the man who had so long conducted its affairs with autocratic power. At the very time when a clear brain and a strong will were most needed, they were lacking. Dr. Nott was still president, but with the increasing infirmities of extreme old age his masterful spirit was broken. Upon his death in 1866, Dr. Hickok, the vice-president, succeeded to the office of president, but two years later he resigned in accordance with a pur- pose he had long entertained to withdraw from administrative work when he had reached the age of seventy. The Rev. Charles A. Aiken, D. D., of Princeton College, was chosen to fill the vacancy, but his tenure of office was also brief, as for domestic reasons he resigned in 1871.
The influences already indicated had worked disastrously for the college. From 1860, when the largest class in the history of the college was graduated, the number of students had steadily decreased, until in 1872 the graduating class was the smallest since the earliest years of Dr. Nott's administration. Evidently the time had come for some decided change, and the trustees called to the presidency the Rev. Eliphalet Nott Potter, a grandson of Dr. Nott, and a son of the Bishop of Pennsylvania, who had been for many years a
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professor in the college. Dr. Potter was then in the full vigor of young manhood, of commanding presence, and endowed with many attractive personal qualities. The task before him was difficult in the extreme, but he addressed himself to it with characteristic earnestness and zeal, and soon enlisted the practical support of many powerful friends. Unfortunately, however, he aroused opposition also, and after thirteen years of service he resigned to accept the presidency of Hobart College. Early in his administration Dr. Potter conceived the idea of associating the professional schools in Albany with the college in Schenectady, and in 1873 the Albany Medical College, the Albany Law School, the Dudley Observatory and Union College were brought together under the corporate title of Union University, and in 1881, the Albany College of Pharmacy was organized as another department of the university.
To President Potter is also due the credit of restoring to the col- lege the patronage of southern students. Funds which he secured for this special purpose enabled him to offer financial aid to those who had been impoverished by the war, and a steadily increasing number availed themselves of the educational advantages thus brought within their reach. Those who caine were alinost without exception representatives of old southern families, and their presence did inuich to revive the spirit and traditions of former times. In addition to these important services, President Potter increased the material equipment of the college by the erection of the Powers Memorial Hall and the Nott Memorial Building, the latter the inost imposing structure on the college grounds.
After President Potter's resignation in 1885, the Hon. Judson S. Landon, Justice of the Supreme Court, and a member of the board of trustees, acted as president ad interim for four years, or until the office was filled in 1889, by the election of Professor Harrison E. Webster, of the University of Rochester. Dr. Webster had formerly been connected with the faculty of Union College, and was extremely popular among the younger alumni, who rallied enthusiastically to his support, and the college at once responded to the quickening influence. The classes again increased in numbers, and signs of renewed prosperity multiplied, but President Webster, who had suf-
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fered for years from the results of his early campaigns as a soldier, found his health unequal to the responsibilities which he had assumed, and so tendered his resignation in January, 1893. The trustees, however, were unwilling to accept his resignation at that time, and gave him leave of absence for travel and rest in the hope that his strength might be restored. In this, however, they were disappointed, and when in Jannary, 1894, his resignation was again before them, it was accepted. He was succeeded by the Rev. Andrew V. V. Raymond, an alumnus of the college of the class of 1875, who was called to the presidency from the pastorate of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Albany, and formally entered upon the office at the Commencement in June, 1894.
The following year the college celebrated its centennial anniver- sary. This was an occasion of exceptional interest, and brought together hundreds of alumni and many distinguished educators, representing all of the older and inany of the younger institutions of learning in the east. Preparations for this important event had been carried on by various committees for two years, and the exercises covered four days, beginning with Sunday, June 23, 1895. The nature and scope of the celebration are shown by the following program which was carried out in every particular :
PROGRAM OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF UNION COLLEGE AND THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
OF THE CLASS OF 1895.
SUNDAY, JUNE 23. MORNING SERVICE. First Reformed Church, 10.30 A. M.
Sermon by the Rev. George Alexander, D. D., '66, pastor of the University Place Presbyterian Church of New York City.
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HISTORY OF UNION COLLEGE.
· AFTERNOON SERVICE.
First Reformed Church, 4.00 P. M.
CONFERENCE, " Religion and Education," led by the Rev. A. C. Sewall, D. D., pas- tor of the First Reformed Church, Schenectady, N. Y. ADDRESSES BY
The Rev. B. B. Loomis, '63, of Canajoharie, N. Y., representing the Methodist Church.
The Rev. W. Scott, '68, Principal of the Connecticut Literary Institution, repre- senting the Baptist Church.
The Rev. W. D. Maxon, D. D., '78, Rector of the Calvary Episcopal Church, of Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Rev. Thomas E. Bliss, D. D., '48, of Denver, Colorado, representing the Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Frederick Z. Rooker, D. D., '84, Secretary to the Apostolic Delegate, Monsignor Satolli, Washington, D. C. Hymn. Benediction.
EVENING SERVICE AND BACCALAUREATE SERMON. First Reformed Church, 7.30 P. M. Baccalaureate Sermon by the Right Reverend William Croswell Doane, Bishop of Albany, N. Y.
CHIEF MARSHAL, MERTON R. SKINNER, '95.
MONDAY, JUNE 24. EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE. MORNING SESSION. College Chapel, 10 o'clock. Subject: "The School," Melvil Dewey, Secretary of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, presiding. ADDRESSES BY Prof. William H. Maxwell, Superintendent of Schools, Brooklyn, N. Y. C. F. P. Bancroft, Principal of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.
AFTERNOON SESSION. College Chapel, 2.30 o'clock. Subject: " The College," President Scott, of Rutgers College, presiding. ADDRESSES BY President Andrews, of Brown University. President Taylor, of Vassar College
ATHLETIC CONTEST. Under the direction of the Track Athletic Association. College Oval, 4.30 P. M.
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EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE-Continued. EVENING SESSION. First Presbyterian Church, 8.00 o'clock. Subject: "The University," President Gilman, of Johns Hopkins University, presiding. ADDRESSES BY President G. Stanley Hall, of Clark University, Professor Hale, of Chicago University, Chancellor MacCracken, of the University of the City of New York.
TUESDAY, JUNE 25. ALUMNI DAY. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PHI BETA KAPPA SOCIETY. English Room, 9 A. M.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SIGMI XI SOCIETY. Engineering Room, 9 A. M.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES. Philosophy Room, 10 A. M.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION,
Hon. Amasa J. Parker, President, presiding. College Chapel, 10 A. M.
ELECTION OF ALUMNI TRUSTEE, 12 M.
CENTENNIAL BANQUET. Memorial Hall, 1.15 P. M. President Raymond, presiding. Music-By the Glee, Mandolin and Banjo Clubs. GREETINGS FROM Chancellor Anson J. Upson, of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. Professor George Herbert Palmer, of Harvard University. President Patton, of Princeton College. President Andrews, of Brown University. Professor Henry Parks Wright, Dean of Yale College. Professor John Haskell Hewitt, of Williams College.
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HISTORY OF UNION COLLEGE.
Professor Charles F. Richardson, of Dartmouth College. Professor J. H. Van Amringe, Dean of Columbia College. Professor William MacDonald, of Bowdoin College. Professor John Randolph Tucker, of Washington and Lee University. President Scott, of Rutgers College. Professor Oren Root, of Hamilton College. Professor Anson D. Morse, of Amherst College. Chancellor MacCracken, of the University of the City of New York. President Taylor, of Vassar College.
REUNION OF ALL CLASSES ABOUT THE "OLD ELM," AND IVY EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1895. College Garden, 3.30 P. M.
RECEPTION BY PRESIDENT AND MRS. RAYMOND. President's Residence, 5.00 P. M.
COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESSES AND CENTENNIAL POEM.
First Presbyterian Church, 8.00 P M. Rev. Chas. D. No't. D. D., '54, presiding. ADDRESSES RY Hon. George F. Danforth LL. D .. '40. Rev. Staley B. Rossiter, D. D., '65 POEM BY William H. McElroy, LL. D., '60.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26. MEMORIAL DAY. THE COLLEGE IN PATRIOTIC SERVICE. College Campus, 8.30 A. M. Presiding Officer, Gen. Daniel Butterfield, LL. D., '49. Flag-raising, with artillery salute Address by Major Austin A. Yates, '54.
THE COLLEGE IN PROFESSIONAL LIFE.
Memorial Hall. 9.30 A M. · Presiding Officer, W. H. H. Moore, '44. ADDRESSES BV Hon. J. Newton Fiero, '67. late President of the New York State Bar Association. Rev. Teunis S. Hamlin, D. D., '67. . Major John Van R Hoff, M. D., U. S. A., '71.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
ALUMNI BANQUET. Memorial Hall, 1.00 P. M.
Hon. Amasa J. Parker, '63, President of the General Alumni Association, presiding. Addresses by Alumni and others. Music-The Glee, Banjo and Mandolin Clubs.
CELEBRATION OF THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL OF UNION COLLEGE.
College Chapel, 4.00 P. M. Presiding Officer, President Cady Staley, '65, of the Case School of Applied Science. Addresses by Hon. Warner Miller, LL. D., '60, and Gen. Roy Stone, '56.
. THE COLLEGE IN STATESMANSHIP AND POLITICS. First Presbyterian Church, 8.00 P. M.
Presiding Officer, Hon. John Gary Evans, '83, Governor of South Carolina. Music-Introductory-The College Banjo and Mandolin Clubs. Address by Hon. David C. Robinson, '65. Song-The College Glee Club. Address by Hon. Charles Emory Smith, LL. D., '61. Song-The College Glee Club.
THURSDAY, JUNE 27. COMMENCEMENT DAY. GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1895. First Presbyterian Church, 10.00 A. M.
UNIVERSITY CELEBRATION. REV. DR. ELIPHALET NOTT POTTER, President of Hobart College, President of Union College 1871-84, Class '61, Founder of Union University, introducing,
The Honorary Chancellor and Centennial Orator, RIGHT REV. HENRY C. POTTER, D. D., Bishop of New York. Music.
CONFERRING OF DEGREES.
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HISTORY OF UNION COLLEGE.
The centennial celebration served above all else to emphasize the exceptional part which Union College had taken in the constructive life of the nineteenth century. In every department of American interests and activities her graduates had been among the leaders. The array of distinguished names presented by those who spoke for the various professions and callings was a revelation to many, and in no other sphere of effort had the influence of the college been more pronounced than in that of the public service.
The college began its second century under many encouraging conditions, and these later years have witnessed substantial progress. The financial situation, especially, has been cleared of all uncer- tainty. The burden of indebtedness which until recently threatened the very life of the institution, has been entirely removed, and a policy inaugurated which brings the expenditures each year within the assured income. The productive funds of the college have been increased by legacies aggregating $100,000, and by the sale of cer- tain outlying portions of the college domain in Schenectady. The one hundred acres that remain constitute an ample site for all possible future growth. A beautiful building for the use of the Young Men's Christian Association of the college has been erected by the Hon. Horace B. Silliman, LL. D., of the class of 1846. The South College dormitory has been practically reconstructed and transformed into a modern dormitory through the gifts, for the most part, of citizens of Schenectady. Several fraternity houses have been built, adding greatly to the attractiveness of the campus, and through the generosity of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the central build- ing, known as the Nott Memorial Hall, is now being transformed into a library and museum.
In addition to these material improvements, the work of instruc- tion has increased greatly in efficiency, especially on the side of applied sciences. In 1895 an electrical engineering course was insti- tuted, and within the past year this has been brought into special prominence through the active co-operation of the General Electric Company, whereby a complete equipment of the electrical laboratory has been secured, money obtained for salaries, and the entire work of this department placed under the direction and supervision of Mr.
L
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Charles P. Steinmetz, the special electrician of the company, who has become Professor of Electrical Engineering in the college. Under these conditions the college is certain to take a leading place among the institutions offering courses of instruction in electrical science. But while emphasis is thus placed for the present upon its technical work, there is no intention of abandoning the position which the college has always held as an institution for classical and literary training. The old courses are imaintained with added efficiency, and the technical courses are arranged so as to include many culture studies not usually found in these courses.
In 1896 the question of the removal of the college to Albany came under discussion through the efforts of prominent Albanians to secure the legislation necessary to enable the city to offer a suitable site and $750,000 for buildings. This enabling act failed to pass the legislature because of political complications and the organized opposition of the citizens of Schenectady, and so the proposition never came before the board of trustees for formal consideration. It is not probable that the question will ever be revived. Union Col- lege will remain for all the future in the city which has been its home for more than a hundred years, and where the memories and traditions of its honorable past will prove an inspiration for the further fulfillment of its mission to America and the world.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE PRESS.
The first printers in Schenectady were Wyckoff and Brokaw, about the year 1792. Their office was on the south corner of State and Washington streets. This firm continued until 1795, when Brokaw went out and Wyckoff continued the business alone.
The first newspaper printed in Schenectady was called
THE MOHAWK MERCURY. It was published as early as February, 1796, and as late as 1798. It was probably started by C. P.
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THE PRESS.
Wyckoff, who published it as late as December, 1797. Some time, probably in 1798, Wyckoff was succeeded in his business by John L. Stevenson. Whether Stevenson continued to publish the Mohawk Mercury is not known.
THE SCHENECTADY GAZETTE began to be published by J. L. Stevenson, January 6, 1799, on the corner of Albany (State) and Ferry streets, and December 20, 1802, he gave it the more compre- hensive name of
THE WESTERN SPECTATOR AND SCHENECTADY WEEKLY ADVER- TISER, which was continued as late as May 23, 1807, when he removed his printing office to Union street, a few doors west of the Dutch Church, and discontinued the paper.
THE WESTERN BUDGET was issued by Van Veghten & Son, at No. 10 Union street, the next month following the discontinuance of the Western Spectator. The Budget continued three years, and the last year was issued by Isaac Riggs, and at about the same time, June, 1807, Ryer S. Schermerhorn began the publication of
THE MOHAWK ADVERTISER, and continued it at least three years, and was succeeded by T. Johnson, who published it for W. S. Buel, at his bookstore, near the corner of State and Ferry streets. Scher- merhorn was the first native printer, and followed his trade for many years. He kept a small supply of books on sale at his office, and among publications which he issued was an edition of Smith's His- tory of the State of New York, with additions.
THE WESTERN BUDGET was continued by Isaac Riggs until June, 1810, when he changed the name to the
SCHENECTADY CABINET. In 1814 Isaac Stevens was associated with him for a short time, occupying No. 2 Cook's Row, (No. 34 Ferry street.) Thence he removed to 23 Union street, next east of the Dutch Church, which he occupied until his death as a dwell- ing, and for many years his printing office was under the same roof. In 1837 he was succeeded by his son, Stephen S. Riggs, who changed the name of the Cabinet to
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FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, under which name he continued the paper until January, 1843, when he resumed the former name, calling the paper the
SCHENECTADY CABINET AND FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, which name it bore until January 1, 1850, when it was again called the Schenec- tady Cabinet, and until it ceased to be published January 1, 1856.
THE MISCELLANEOUS CABINET, a weekly publication of eight pages, octavo, was begun in July, 1823, Isaac Riggs, printer. Its contents were mainly literary selections, and original productions written mostly by the students of the college.
THE MOHAWK SENTINEL was begun June 24, 1824. It was printed by G. Ritchie, Jr., at the sign of Faust and Franklin's head, Ferry street, and is said to have been edited by Archibald L. Linn, then a young lawyer of the city. This paper advocated the election of Mr. Crawford for the presidency.
THE PROTESTANT SENTINEL began June 11, 1830, and was printed and published by Rev. John Maxon. It was understood to be the organ of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination.
SCHENECTADY COUNTY WHIG .- This paper was commenced November 1, 1830, at 34 Ferry street, by C. G. and S. Palmer, and continued till October, 1834, when the paper and all the appur- tenances of the printing office were sold to Nathan Stone, who, on the 18th of November, following, assigned the paper to Giles F. Yates, Esq. Stone was the owner of the "Schenectady Bookstore," on the west corner of State street and Mill Lane. He published the Whig, at 77 State street, for ten weeks, the last number being issued December 30tl. Its direct descendant was
THE REFLECTOR AND SCHENECTADY DEMOCRAT, the first number of which was issued January 1, 1835. Mr. Yates made this a very entertaining family paper. During 1835-6 he published many valuable articles of an antiquarian and historical character. It was printed by Robert P. Paine, on the west corner of State street and Mill Lane. In July, 1835, the printing was done by Yates & Cook,
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