University of Missouri - Savitar Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

Page 17 text:

HE HAD A LATE LAB, BUT BUGS VVERE BOTHERSOIME EVEN IN EARLY Mrssounr ENTOMOLOGY. But, the societies were important to the University. They provided almost all of the library available and were recognized as an integral part of the educational program. This was the foundation left by Lathrop when he retired. It was just the be- ginning. john gave Mo the cue to start landscaping the campus, and Mo himself put a bug in some ears as collections of books and equipment were given to the Univer- sity. So the 40's closed with Mo 'fright pleased with himself for the fine edifice that was taking shape. Then lVIo's handiwork became a political football in the l85O's. Sectionalism was beginning to flourish, interest was focused on private schools. And the most significant kick to the ball was the election of lames Shannon, a Campbellite minister, to the presidency. This man was accused, and some say justly so, of trying to turn the University into a ministerial training school. Then in Jefferson City they said a university wasn't needed. Mo's foundation almost had a disastrous shaking. Mo contacted Rollins once again, and together they disposed of Shannon, unfor- tunately after considerable damage had been done. The Legislature stopped kicking d ' A d to function. The faculty was re- the University for the moment, an it continue organized, and Mo Pioneer dug f ments, and the curriculum was cut down in scope. All in all, this was a period of strife. Enrollment fluctuatcd during this time. aster. An increase in income Went into improve-

Page 16 text:

Q' 1 t Q if I. yy Lg p R j'x 5. Wx- E TNS? vw Nr v7 T X 4 5, ' Q TXKT I TWV,-Q ea ' --lvl Tv W lhl Y - T f ' 1.-It-.L - ' bl X. I i f i f . ERFERSON MRMQRIAL-LANDMARR TO UNIVERSITY PROGRESS. The students' outlet through extracurricular activities was as yet not well developed. They attended classes in the main building all morning and assembled for a critical reading of the New Testament in Greek each Monday. However, students spent most of their time in private homes which were their living quarters. The young men had to be in their rooms at 9 o'clock and behaved admirably according to Mr. Lathrop. Only two students were sent home for beating each other with canes. The students did have one activity for themselves besides cane fights. This was in two literary societies-the Athenaeum and the Union. These two, bitter rivals, were debating groups. They met each Friday in Academic Hall for declamations, followed by a debate. Preparations for the next meeting were then made. When the dignity of the proceedings broke, the President Cone was elected every four weeksD imposed fines of IZWC. Such offenses were breaches of etiquette, such as passing in front of the speaker, or breaches of decorum, such as tilting one's chair, throwing bread and the Hexpectoration of saliva impregnated with the juice of Virginia weed. I2

Page 18 text:

I I MARK TWAIN AND FRIENDS RECEIVE LL.D. DEGREES The programs were more public, and the debate sub- jects vvere really the most marked advance in the decade. Arguments were over such topics as Existence of God or Does Money or Women Influence Men More? Besides these vigorous debates, the societies also purchased spit boxes to preserve dignity. This was probably due to the fact that the Baptist Female Col- lege CStephensj and Mary Phelps Institute of Chris- tian Women were admitted to open meetings. A newspaper explained this achievement as a vague reference that the two groups of young people did not live in complete isolation. Mo Pioneer was hard at work again. VVilliam VVilson Hudson was now President, a man of l..athrop's stand- IN THOSE DAYS THEY HATED AFTERNOON LABS. 14 ards. This man worked with Mo. His first accomplish- ment vvas in establishing engineering courses. The most startling achievement, though, was in a surplus of 523,000 derived from an expired bank charter. This became a lifesaver during the Civil VV ar.