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

Page 21 text:

fitting in a work of this kind, to go into an argument pointing out the various reasons why this should be established ; indeed it seems to ns as if they were self-evident. If the gentlemen who are appointed by the people of the state to act as their ser- vants, and who are supposed to work for their best interest would look the subject squarely in the face as true sons of the old Bay State, they could not fail to see the benefits that would be derived from it. Let them remember that agriculture, an industry of such vast importance to the state, and also laying at the foundation of our national prosperity, should be fostei ' ed and encouraged, instead of being looked upon with a feeling of indifference, as is now to often the case. Professor Goessmann with such a wide experience, is most admirably fitted to stand at the head of such a department, and we know the result would be highly gratifying to the people. Professor Goodell owing to poor health, has been obliged to leave his duties once during the year, and while his loss was much felt we would willingly grant it, rather than that his health be further impaired. During the summer vacation our much beloved Professor in Mathematics resigned his position after faithfully filling the chair for seven years. We believe we speak for every student of the college, when we say that his loss is keenly felt by all of us. We heartily wish him success in his future labors, and for his encouraging words and earnest work in our behalf, his name will ever find a place in our memory, as one of our truest friends. The chair has been filled by the appointment of Professor Har- rington, and we extend to him a cordial welcome, and earnestly hope that he will have the same success as the one who preceded him. Lieut. Morris ' term of office having expired, his place has been filled by the appointment of Lieut. Bridgman. By the interest that our new Lieut, has already manifested, and by the business like energy he displays, we are sure that his efforts will meet with success, and that our military department will be one of the most successful of its kind in the country.

Page 20 text:

different causes, especially from lack of sufficient means, to carry out the design for which it was established. But this is not at all surprising, for the same thing has taken place, in all our older and most celebrated institutions of learning, in their early struggle for existence. The college also being to a certain ex- tent dependent upon successive legislatures for its support, has suffered much from the different opinions and actions of different bodies. It is at present self-supporting, although somewhat crippled in its usefulness. It now needs a fund similar to other institutions, and which we have great hopes it will obtain in the near future. Let us hope that the worst is past, and may we see a glorious future open before our beloved alma mater. We agree with a former editor to a certain extent, as regards the low standard of admission. This however we believe will be raised as the college grows older. There has been much dissatisfaction manifested towards our President, and while grumblers are found in every walk of life, still we are compelled to say we believe it is not all without foundation. The farm in connection with the college, in our opinion, is in a very unsatisfactory condition, and is far from what it was in- tended it should be. We are not among those who believe in the flaunting statements often made before the public, by per- sons entirely ignorant of the circumstances, that it should be made to pay as a business enterprise. The farm is, or should be for the purpose of illustrating in the best possible way, the prac- tical part of agriculture and should have sufficient means to so do. The horticultural department of Prof. Maynard is in a flourish- condition, which reflects great credit upon the manager. It is plainly evident however that the Professor is, much overworked in attending to the very laborious duties in that direction, as well as those of a regular professor in tlie college, and it is lioped that he will soon be relieved. An experimental station is one of the things very much need- ed and which of necessity must soon be established. It is hardly

Page 22 text:

At tlie beginning of the present term, another Freshman class unfurled its banner to the breeze, and recorded its name in the history of the college, as the class of ' 85. We welcome this class as it for the first time commences its labors among us. Its num- bers were not as large as we had wished, but certainly it is a great improvement on the one which preceded it. Class of ' 85, freshmen indeed you are, but four years of college train- ing are before you, and we trust that you will emblazon upon the walls of this, our college home, a name wliich you may always be able to look upon with feelings of pride and admiration. The chair of mental and moral science has for the last few years been abolished, owing to the lack of the necessary funds to sustain it. Of its value, yes, its necessity in our course of in- struction, no one will for a moment deny, and the editors hope the day is not far distant, when this will again be established. We trust that college sports will not be allowed to die out, for besides being of great value to ourselves, they are one of the things which make a college popular. And now fellow students, we place this work in your hands, trusting that you will not be too severe in your criticisms. That our work is imperfect we do not doubt : but remember as you turn its pages, that perfection is difficult to attain by mortal man. To the class who comes after us, and whose duty next it will be to take up the editorial pen, we would say, do not give up the Index, but strive to improve it, until it may attain even a wider popularity than at present. To you members of the class of ' 83, we your servants dedicate it, trusting that in the future it may serve to bring back to our minds, burdened with the cares of the world, pleasures which will make our pathway brighter, and may it serve to awaken within us, remembrances of one of the happiest periods of our life.