University of Missouri - Savitar Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

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.

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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-

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.Y nm, 2 T, X ' Q , u gd 515 1 ' A A AND THEY GOT READY, AIIXIED, AND FIRED-VVITH SOIVIE DIFFICULTY. X ' ' .J 1 X K YS f K ,4. -,M X . A x 4 P ff ? ' D f D x 'J 1, I tl Vf Q - - QV 'f V A ff A 3 J ': , D fl - I LIBRARY CATALOGING UNDER EARLY OPEN LIGHT K X px,-0' K,