Michigan State University - Red Cedar Log Yearbook (East Lansing, MI)

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1876, Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone. 1876, Custer and troops massacred at Little Big Horn. 1878, Thomas A. Edison invents incandescent lighting. tate? ZZZKOZ .spreads alcrorr the noztion . IN 1862, with agriculturists and statesmen pointing to Michigan's local experiment, Senator Morrill again pressed his measure on Congress, seeking federal support for such institutions. The bill was signed into law Feb. 12, 1862, by Abraham Lincoln. The Morrill Act provided aid for colleges whose 'sleading object shall be, without ex- cluding other scientilic and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agri- culture and the mechanic arts. State's first football team, 1886. Capt. George Morrice holds football. Others, from left: R. I. Coryell, C. P. Gillette, E. A. Bartness, W. C. Sanson, D. I. Stryker, I. D. Tower, J. Y. Clark, WV. I. Power, E. C. Bank, Rich Edling, C. C. Lillie. Coach was Prof. R. C. Carpenter, mathematics-civil engineering. The Class of 1886 posed for this picture in its sophomore year. It was one of the most active of 19th century classes, working vigorously for athletics, student government, publications, curriculum changes. 21

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K A x A ' . Abi. ' . s 2' A 1 A X 4? A A A A View to northeast across campus, 1888. From left, Williams, Chemistry, greenhouse chimney, first Wells, Botany. The Agricultural College of the State of Michigan was now a reality: three buildings on a hill, in a cleared patch of swamp and muck land. On two barked, fifteen-foot poles before Saint's Rest hung a bell, and it was rung throughout dedication day and on into the night. Horace Greeley, of the New York Tribune, one of America's greatest editorialists, wrote President Williams: I would sooner be Presi- dent of the first State Agricultural College than President of the United Statesf, Congress heard about it. In 1850, Michi- gan had asked for federal aid for an agri- cultural college, and was denied. In l858, it tried again with legislative sanction, and a bill sponsored by Rep. Justin S. Morrill of Vermont passed both Houses and Senate. But President James Buchanan vetoed it. The Delta Tau Delta room Cplaque at leftl in Williams hall, photographed about 1885. The first Creek letter society at State f1872J, it was dis- continued in 1891. George Thompson Fairchild helped frame the Morrill Act. At Michigan State, 1865 to 1879, he was a teacher, acting president 41872-732, assistant secretary, and librarian. He became president of the Agricultural College of Kansas. li- C'. -

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H The Library-Museum was four years old when this photo was taken in 1885. It became the Administration building. broad knowledge Wm demvl ndm' 1 n az ll THE MORRILL ACT gave each state 30,000 to less than 50 from the 123 of its opening. acres of land for each senator and representa- The manpower and economic pressures of the tive, to be used in support of the schools which Civil War were being felt in the west. Oppo- thus were known as gland grant collegesf' sition rose from many quarters, for, as one Michigan received 240,000 acres. writer said, this ugly ducklingn of a Repub- This was five years after the College lican legislature was a long time acquiring the opened its doors. Its enrollment had dropped aspect of a swan in Democratic eyes. The cadet band from its earliest days furnished the tempo for drills and parades, serenaded at teas and socials, soon reached the point where it could present its own musicales. Uniforms came with more formal cadet organization in the 1880,s. maart