HIGHER EDUCATION. A step toward higher education was made by the act of the Legislature of 1833, which provided for an academy in each parish, and appropriated fifty thousand dollars for their annual support. The Legislature likewise, at various times, incorporated and endowed numerous colleges and academies, most of which passed out of existence before they entered the realm of higher education. Concerning these institutions Mr. Farrar says in an address before the University of Louisiana in 1880: "After considerable labor given to find out exactly the sums expended by the State in the endowment and maintenance of these organizations, I have found it next to impossible to obtain full and accurate data; however, it is safe to assert that the sums thus expended will reach two millions of dollars."1 Having enumerated many (33) of the institutions thus created, Mr. Farrar says: "From the enumerations thus given it is obvious that if the interest taken by our people in public education should be measured by the liberality with which they have created and endowed institutions for that purpose, the measurement to be awarded them would be far from insignificant. But the important factor to be considered in this measurement is: What has become of these institutions? What is their history? What have we done towards elevating the standard of education in Louisiana? Melancholy, indeed, is the auswer that comes to this questioning. With very few exceptions that answer is, They have perished, utterly." The exceptions are: Centenary College, Jefferson College, and the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. "These three institutions are the sole living remnants of all those just mentioned." Since this address was made there has been a decided quickening of higher education in Louisiana. The State, as heretofore, is endeavoring to aid education, and with good effect. THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (TULANE). This institution had its origin in certain land grants made by the United States "for the use of a seminary of learning." By an act of the General Government passed in 1806 one township of land was granted for the above named purpose, and in 1811 another township was added to this and both were confirmed by an act 4 (of 1824) which also authorized their location. 5 1 E. H. Farrar: Address, 4. 2 U. S. Statutes at Large, Vol. II, chap. 39, sec. 11, p. 394. 3 Ibid., chap. 14, p. 620. 4 Ibid.,, chap. 97, p. 244. By the reading of the act of 1811 three townships are granted, but this was probably not so intended, for by the act of 1827 only two townships are confirmed. The first movement toward the utilization of these grants was made in 1845, when the following clause was adopted in the amended Constitution: "A university shall be established in the city of New Orleans. It shall be composed of four faculties, to wit: one of law, one of medi cine, one of natural sciences, and one of letters."1 This title also enjoined upon the Legislature the duty of preservation of the land grants to keep them inviolate for the purposes therein mentioned. The university was chartered in 1847, a complete organization being effected and the new constitution of 1852 asserts that, "The University of Louisiana in New Orleans, as now established, shall be maintained."3 For many years the university received but meagre support from the State. The medical course was organized with the opening of the college and has "won an enviable reputation." An act of the Legislature approved March 28, 1850, appropriated twenty-five thousand dollars for the advancement of medical education in Louisiana, to be paid to the university in two installments, in July and December of the following year. The law department also was continued with a degree of success, but the literary department was nothing" more than a grammar school, save and except the form of a collegiate organization kept up from 1851 to 1856." In 1855 the sum of $13,500 was appropriated to complete a building for the law department.5 The State prior to 1868 had given no aid to the university except a building for students, but in the revised Constitution of this date had stipulated to give "one half of the funds derived from the poll-tax * * to the support of the free public schools throughout the State and the University of New Orleans," and that "the General Assembly shall provide by law for its organization and maintenance." By the Constitution of 1879 the institution was endowed permanently by authorizing the sum of not more than ten thousand dollars payable annually to the university. At the expiration of this period the university was united with the Tulane University (in 1884). Since that time no appropriations have been made by the Legislature. A list of the appropriations made by the State is kindly furnished me by the president, William P. Johnston, in a letter dated November 30, 1888. 1 Constitution of Louisiana, 1845, Title VIII, Art. 137. 3 Constitution of Louisiana, 1852, Title VIII, Art. 139 4 Laws of 1850, p. 189. 5 Laws of 1855, p. 192, No. 137. 6 Constitution of Louisiana, 1868, Title VIII, Art. 141 7 Ibid., VII, Art. 142. 8 Ibid., 1879, Art. 227. 880-No. 1-18 APPROPRIATIONS TO TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA. One-half block in the city of New Orleans was granted to the university by the State for a site, which was valued at1. In 1847, acts of 1847, p. 105.... $15,000 In 1850, acts of 1850, p. 189. In 1853, acts of 1853, p. 173. In 1871, acts of 1871, p. 50. 25,000 25,000, 6,000 13,500 12,500 25,000 3,000 In 1879, Constitution, Art. 227, ten thousand dollars per annum for five years from date of act.... 6,500 50,000 Total appropriation.... 155,500 THE STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE. This institution is located at Baton Rouge and must not be confounded with the University of Louisiana at New Orleans. The university at Baton Rouge originated in the union of the old State Seminary of Learning with the Agricultural and Mechanical College. Mr. Fay, in his History of Education in Louisiana, traces the history of Rapides Academy, which was incorporated in 1819 under the name of Rapides College, and shows that the State Seminary of Learning was the natural successor to the college. This school was among the first in the State to receive the benefits of the appropriations made to academies and seminaries. The Legislature in 1853 chartered the "State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy," and two years thereafter located and founded the institution on a site about three miles from Alexandria in the county of Rapides. The power of control of the seminary was vested in seven trustees appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, who must render an annual report to the Legislature. Authority was given to the trustees by the Legislature to purchase for a site the "pine-woods seat," formerly belonging to Mrs. E. R. Williams, at a price not exceeding $3,190.2 It was enacted in 1855 that thirty thousand dollars be appropriated to assist in the construction of buildings, and the carrying out of the act of incorporation.3 By the same act the trustees were authorized to purchase eighty acres additional for one thousand dollars. The school was not formally opened until January 2, 1860, when it was placed under the superintendency of Col. W. T. Sherman. But scarcely were its doors opened before they were closed again on account of the Civil War. The seminary suspended June 30, 1861, and resumed its exercises April 1, 186, continuing just twenty-two days, 1Letter from President William P. Johnston, November 30, 188 3 Ibid., 1855, p. 94, No. 96; p. 404, No. 317. when it again suspended on account of the occupation of the country by the Federal troops. The college was reopened October 2, 1865; for the necessary expenses of the reopening, the Governor borrowed in behalf of the institution the sum of twenty thousand dollars. The Legislature acknowledged the indebtedness of the State to the seminary of the interest on the permanent fund of one hundred and thirty-six thousand dollars for the years 1863, 1864, and 1865, and au thorized the payment of this to the amount of $25,800. In addition to this special appropriations were made as follows: Five thousand dollars for repairs, five thousand dollars for apparatus, one thousand dollars for current expenses, and $15,600 for the maintenance of fifty-two cadets, or three hundred dollars each, to as many as should attend, not exceeding fifty-two.1 In 1866-67 the number of beneficiary cadets was fixed equal to the number of representatives in the Legislature from each parish, and the amount paid to each student was four hundred dollars. The Legislature appropriated over thirty-six thousand dollars to meet the expenses of these cadets, besides giving ten thousand dollars for special purposes. In 1867-68 the Legislature provided for the support of ninety cadets at the above rates, thirty-six thousand dollars, and the following session appropriated twenty-five thousand dollars for buildings and improvements. In 1870 there was appropriated the sum of twenty thousand dollars to the seminary, and allowed $35,700 for the support of cadets. In 1871 there was appropriated twenty thousand dollars to the university2 at large, ten thousand dollars for apparatus, and $46,200 allowed for the support of cadets. It seems that the Legislature failed to make the usual appropriations for the support of the university for several years subsequent to 1871 and consequently the life of the institution was at a low ebb. FOUNDING OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE. The Agricultural and Mechanical College was founded in 1874, and its union with the university in 1876 brought new life to this institution. The agricultural college was opened temporarily at New Orleans, but retained its separate existence for only three years, to the date of its organic union with the university at Baton Rouge. The new university was organized in 1877 and reorganized in 1880. It was placed under control of twelve supervisors appointed by the Governor, in addition to three ex-officio members, viz, the president of 'Fay: History of Education in Louisiana; part of the facts on this subject have been taken from Mr. Fay's manuscript, which was kindly lent the writer. ? The name of the seminary was changed in 1871 to that of university. APPROPRIATIONS TO TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA. One-half block in the city of New Orleans was granted to the university by the State for a site, which was valued at1. $15,000 In 1879, Constitution, Art. 227, ten thousand dollars per annum for five years from date of act.. 6,500 50,000 Total appropriation.... 155, 500 THE STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE. This institution is located at Baton Rouge and must not be confounded with the University of Louisiana at New Orleans. The university at Baton Rouge originated in the union of the old State Seminary of Learning with the Agricultural and Mechanical College. Mr. Fay, in his History of Education in Louisiana, traces the history of Rapides Academy, which was incorporated in 1819 under the name of Rapides College, and shows that the State Seminary of Learning was the natural successor to the college. This school was among the first in the State to receive the benefits of the appropriations made to academies and seminaries. The Legislature in 1853 chartered the "State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy," and two years thereafter located and founded the institution on a site about three miles from Alexandria in the county of Rapides. The power of control of the seminary was vested in seven trustees appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, who must render an annual report to the Legislature. Authority was given to the trustees by the Legislature to purchase for a site the "pine-woods seat," formerly belonging to Mrs. E. R. Williams, at a price not exceeding $3,190.2 It was enacted in 1855 that thirty thousand dollars be appropriated to assist in the construction of buildings, and the carrying out of the act of incorporation.3 By the same act the trustees were authorized to purchase eighty acres additional for one thousand dollars. The school was not formally opened until January 2, 1860, when it was placed under the superintendency of Col. W. T. Sherman. But scarcely were its doors opened before they were closed again on account of the Civil War. The seminary suspended June 30, 1861, and resumed its exercises April 1, 1862, continuing just twenty-two days, 1 Letter from President William P. Johnston, November 30, 188 2 Laws of Louisiana, 1853, p. 47, No. 72. 3 Ibid., 1855, p. 94, No. 96; p. 404, No. 317. |