University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 14 text:

THE I NDEX. During the past season the state, somewhat as a man puts money into a contribution box, paid off the college debt, and now commands the institution henceforth to shift for itself. In obedience to these instructions, an entire revolution has taken place. President Clark, who for twelve years has planned and guided its affairs, resigned on the first of May, and the Trus- tees elected Hon. Charles L. Flint to fill his place, as nominal president, without salary. The next cut down, and one quite severely felt, was that of H. W. Parker ' s professorship, mental and moral science, and although this is in part made up by hired instructors? still it cannot be made good. The disappearance of veterinary science from the curricu- lum is greatly to be regretted, and it is earnestly hoped that in some way lectures may be given by a competent, practical veterinary surgeon. A subject which is of such vital impor- tance ought to be thoroughly understood by every one who has the care of animals. Class work, always irksome, is now made doubly so by the lack of any compensation. Now each student is compelled to work six hours a week, for nothing per hour, and pay his own board. Truly the times are returning when love shall again be the reward of labor. The new custom of leasing the rooms to the students, which grew out of the revised order of things, promises to be its best feature. Certain it is that far less destruction is done to public property than formerly, and the students take more pride in the appearance of things for which their own pockets are responsible.

Page 13 text:

MAxmxxm. wlj ND now ' 8i, always the subject of praise or censure, ■ steps to the front and once more exposes herself to the withering remarks of self-appointed critics. But let those, who thus delight to appear superior, remember that we do not claim to have reached perfection, but like themselves, we are learning the lesson which experience alone can teach. In presenting the eleventh volume of the Index to the public, we have kept up the established custom, and have pro- duced, we trust, a literary gem, which will shine by its own unaided light among all its compeers. In its compilation, we have preferred to follow the arrange- ment of former Indices, rather than ape the Olio, as did our illustrious predecessors. We are happy to inform the friends, yes, and the enemies too, of the College, that now it is practically on a self-sup- porting basis, and although for a time its efficiency may be crippled somewhat by the severe measures of economy which it is necessary to practice, yet in the near future we hope to see it rise, stronger, from obstacles overcome, and better, for victories won.

Page 15 text:

TH E I N DEX. We are glad to see that the matter of discipline is at last receiving some attention, so that, hereafter, they who steal government property and they why steal private watermelons will be alike severely punished. Military still holds its prominent place in our course, and under our able Lieutenant we are fast gaining that knowledge of its various departments which makes the farmer the defend- er, as well as the supporter, of the nation. To taste a little of the real soldier ' s life, we did hope to enjoy a few days of camping out, but the Faculty, after mature deliberation, de- cided that it weie better for us to forego this pleasure. We were disappointed, on our return in September, to find so small an entering class, but feeling that this is due to a lack of information in regard to the College, we earnestly hope that the President will take means of keeping the insti- tution before the public, so that young men may know where to get a liberal, scientific education, and so that any of our friends who are about to die, may be reminded to leave us a modest bequest. We would like also to encourage the students in all matters of public improvement. Keep up the planting of trees until all the walks and drives become the foundations of shady paths and avenues of later years. And then, when, as an Alumnus of M. A, C, you once more visit dear old Alma Mater, you will linger long beneath the shade which you and merry classmates helped to make. Although we were assured by the disappointed printer, who didn ' t get the job of printing our Index, that we couldn ' t