Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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 .. Iv Prof. F. BcrchtoM-. o N tlx- «™i i«|eof Fifth street, in thecitv of Corvallis, south west of, ntnl diagonally across from the courthouse Urn tlx- block of land U| tn which stood, old and weather lieatcn, with utility a crack and cranny in its aged-stained walls, a spacious building with a large entrance and |uainl old hell-tower, that iiHil to sway and tremble with the weight of the •winging bell when set in motion by the tall stern-faced preoeplor with martial mustache and reverent, flowing I ward. This building with its -acred associations to score of Oregon men and women ha now vanished from sight, gone to make room for more modern structures. No longer may those who spent happy, joyous, fruitful days, months, and even years within it walls come lack and behold familiar scenes or perchance meet well-known face . Everything is changed, the very trees that used to afford shelter from the scorching rays of a sumnx-r sun and whose spreading branches were the silent witnesses of incidents now long |ast and forgotten, have been cut down and their place is known no more. The old Corvallis College, for such was the name of this building, was a landmark in it- day. Standing there, the only occupant of a large block ■if land, in a ijuiet part of the residence |»rtion of Corvallis, with what was then considered ample room, it was admirably adapted for the purjsisc for which its founders intended it: an institution for the dissemination of higher education among the youth of Oregon. Corvallis was considered then, as it is now, a very desirable place for the location of such an institution, luting eompamliv.ljr free from all objectionable features, in n health- ful locality, and easy of access l»th by rail as well as by water. The institution was established bv, and stood tinder control of, tlx-Methodist Church, South. Karlv in it history already it scents to have shown a strong vitality and is reported to have done excellent work. Indeed,one nerd only glance at the names of its earliest graduates to find that report amply confirmed. A prominent cause, undoubtedly, of the u| crior material then emanating from this institution was the method of government in vogue at that time. The authorities believed that the ‘‘perfection of government consists in teaching others to govern themselves.” A strict su|X-rvision was exercised over all students, particularly minors, and the citizens were warms) to be on their guard respecting tlxse. Says a rule in one of tlic early catalogues of this institution: “All persons are forbidden to trust a minor without the consent of his or her guardian.” Other regulations, almost as vigorous, positively forbade tlx- festive Sophomore and others of his fellow- tudonts to play at cards or billiards. Ilow the modest, timorous Freshman must have trembled when, upon having attaiix-d the proper age, he was ‘(N |uired to sign the laws before entering the classes.” His guileless, untutored mind probably conjured up visions of tlx- parental rod when hi unpractieod hand falteringly recorded the name of a scion of one of Oregon’s historic families. What k«cn transient agony, what throe of mental distress must have come to the mind of the huxi m, comely lass; what a sad, mournful expression must have crept over her placid features when her eye, examining the pages of the catalogue, suddenly and without premonition encountered the prohibitory law that Young ladies Isarding in the village or vicinity will not ! • permitted to receive the visits of young gentlemen without the written

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. . Hoard of Regents . .

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consent « f tlwir parents, under each restriction as the faculty may r -quire.” Tin discipline within the institution wa “mild, hut firm.” The rules were such ns the governing Ixxly believed Iwst calculated to develop (l»e mental ami moral faculties. All student were required to practice puiiclu-alily and diligence. ami to yield prompt and cheerful oW-dience to all tlw regulations of the faculty. While President Kinlev did not “carry a lwavy cane, which he laid upon the hack of every unemployed |ierson Ik 1 11111101 1 t i fuul in his rounds through the institution, vet he never | rniittod any idlers, or vicious characters,or those whose influence was detrimental to the others, to remain within its walls. This, then, was tin institution and such the conditions prevailing within its precincts when the legislature of Oregon offered to locate with it, indeed to designate it, the “ Agricultural College” of Oregon. tircat Pan was dead Paganish la-licfs and practice wen a matter of tin past then and had long ago H l tin succulent meadows and sunny hills •'when rolls tlto Oregon.” With it also had departed the time “when offers were disdained and love denied.” Consequently the generous proposition of our rvprvsrn talives at Salem was gladly and gracefully accepted. Never, probably, lias ail important trust Us n delegated to a more conscientious body of nwn, or an obligation cotudgned to worthier hands. The “ wanl,” with |«arents three thousand miles away, had found shelter and a home, humble it is true, twit a horn • never!helms, which with raodi- t, ferlde ls-ginnings. but careful, honest, judicious management was dot i net I soon to assume statelier proportions ami a larger usefulness. It may Ik inten--ting a well as instructive at least to some of the younger readers of this article to know the exact manner in which the congressional grant given in tru-t to our state k-gislaturc, was conveyed by it to Corva 11 i Col lege. By tlw passage of the following hill, tin legislature, at its session of I86 , designate ! Corvallis College as the Agricultural College of the state: An act to s etirc the location of |Ik lands Donated by Congress to tire Slate for an Agricultural College, and to •- tah|j h such College. He it cnnctal hr the legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: Sixtiov 1. That J. F. Miller. J. II. l outhit, nud J. C. Avery an hereby constituted a Board of Commissioners, with|stwer I. To locate nil til lands to which this state is entitled by act of Congress, for 1 he purpM of establishing an Agricultural College; ami as soon a such 1«stations are made to report tlw same to the Secretary of Slate. i. To take into consideration tlw furtlwr organization and perfecting of a plan for the permanent establishment of such College, in accordance with the requirements of the Act of Congres making such donation, and rcjiort the same to tlie Governor hj the first day of August, WO. 3. To till all vacancies in tin College by appointment, that may occur in any 8-nntorial district under the provisions of this Act. S«rno '1. That until other provision are made, the Corvallis Collegr Is hereby designated and adopted ns the Agricultural College, in which all students sent under the provisions of this Act shall Ik instructed in all the arts, sciences and other studies, in accordance with the requirements of the Act of Congress making such donation. S»x-rioN 3. Each State Senator i- hereby authorised andempowrml to select one stuilcnt, not |« ss than sixteen years of ago, who shall Is received by tlw Faculty »»f said College, and instructed by tlicm in tlw manner provided in this Act, for lhes| aceof two years, unless such student shall I discharged for misconduct; Providal, however. That this Act shall not l« binding until the Trustees of said College shall adopt a resolution, and file a certified copy thereof with the Secretary of State, n-u nting to and agreeing on tlwir part to faithfully carry out the provisions of this Act. SWTlO.x I. l'|»n the certificate of the President of tlw Corvallis College that any student 0 appoint ! is inattendance at school, it shall Is- tlw duty of the Secretary of tlw State at the middle of each quarter, to draw .hi warrant upon the Stale Trea-urer in favor of said Collegr for the sum of $ 11.25 for each student so attending And it shall Is the duty of the State Treasurer to pay such warrants out of any funds in his hands not otherwise appropriate!I. and a r|«aratc account of such funds shall Is kept, ami designate ! tlx? “ Agricultural College Funds.” SrsTlo.x .V All funds | aidout in acrordaner with tlw provision of the foregoing sections, with interest at 10 per cent, per annum, shall l« refunded to tlw State Treasurer from the first interest that shall accrue from tlw proceeds of tlw sale of any land I oca t l for said College. Whkmcab, It ap|wars that unless an Agricultural College is provided by law at this session of the l.cgislature, the grant by Congress will Is- lost, therefore this Act shall take effect from the date of its passage. Approved. Octulwr “T, A. I». 18U8. Four days Inter. (Violwr 31. 1868 the trust of tlw College met, when the following preamble ami resolution, accepting tlw donation made by tlw