TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
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Told <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pioneers<br />
boys shingled <strong>the</strong> shack and later built on an addition. It had been<br />
left <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> builders on <strong>the</strong> new campus. ",Vhile assistant fireman I<br />
had to split and haul three full cords <strong>of</strong> wood daily. When <strong>the</strong> fireman<br />
was changed I told <strong>the</strong> authorities that <strong>the</strong> new fireman had to<br />
cut half. It \vas done.<br />
HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSl'1'Y<br />
Victor J. Farrar<br />
Fifteen years had passed, and <strong>the</strong> University could not point to<br />
one person who had graduated. The old and accepted excuse was that<br />
<strong>the</strong> Territory possessed no common school system to serve as "feeders"<br />
so <strong>the</strong> Universitv mnst be content to teach <strong>the</strong> elementary sub-<br />
• •<br />
jects until conditions improved.<br />
In 1875, however, one feeder did exist <strong>the</strong> University preparatory<br />
school. In fact, it had existed for some time. This"feeder" failed<br />
to feed; few pupils matriculated and, when <strong>the</strong>y did, remained but a<br />
short time in college.<br />
Nor did <strong>the</strong>y conceal <strong>the</strong>ir reasons: <strong>the</strong>y were not interested in linguistic<br />
studies; <strong>the</strong>y wanted a training which <strong>the</strong>y beliend would<br />
better prepare <strong>the</strong>m for <strong>the</strong>ir life work. This view, though <strong>by</strong> no<br />
means new, was contrary to <strong>the</strong> accepted opinion <strong>of</strong> educators, who<br />
held that <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> Greek and Latin, <strong>by</strong> its effect upon <strong>the</strong> mind,<br />
was <strong>the</strong> only preparation for life's battle.<br />
The University, however, had no choice in <strong>the</strong> matter. Tlle attendance,<br />
even <strong>of</strong> elementary pupils, was very low. At no time during<br />
<strong>the</strong> year 1874-75, had it exceeded 45 and once it dropped to 24.<br />
The University would meet <strong>the</strong> demands <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students. So in <strong>the</strong><br />
summer <strong>of</strong> 1875 President Whitworth announced a new collegiate<br />
course, <strong>the</strong> "scientific" course, <strong>of</strong> four years, leading to <strong>the</strong> degree <strong>of</strong><br />
bachelor <strong>of</strong> science.<br />
First Graduate in 1876<br />
Under this arrangement <strong>the</strong>re was a regrouping <strong>of</strong> students into<br />
classes, senior, junior, sophomore and freshman. Miss Clara ~Ic<br />
Carty became a senior, and, on June 30, 1876, received <strong>the</strong> first degree<br />
ever conferred <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> University. She was eighteen years <strong>of</strong> age.<br />
Like all innovat!ons, <strong>the</strong> "scientific" course was thought to he a<br />
"second-rate course" one devised <strong>of</strong> necessity to accommodate inferior<br />
minds. At first this feeling, strongly concealed, was reflect-<br />
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