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EDITORIAL.
THE NEW CHEMICAL BUILDING.
Last winter, while listening to the debates of the House, from its gallery in the new capitol wing, we scarcely thought that we should have the pleasure of presenting our Courier readers with a picture of a University Chemical Building. The opposition against University appropriations was waged with peculiar bitterness against the chemical bill. To Hon. Wirt. W. Walton, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, the University owes its success in obtaining a special appropriation. Mr. Walton is one of the most active of the many friends of our institution, assisting it by his private influence, through the Dispatch, and in the Legislature. Through his efforts $4,000.00 was given by the State and $8,000.00 appropriated from the University permanent interest fund, making the total cost of the present building $12,000.00.
The chemical building is hid from the observer climbing Mt. Oread, by the main building. To one approaching from the south, however, the new structure, with its bright red roof surmounted with long drab ventilators, even though dwarfed in comparison with its big sister, appears quite conspicuous. Everything about it shows substantiability. The architect, J. G. Haskell, and the contractors, McFarland & Son, have given especial attention to solidity and convenience. The walls are of native limestone taken from the campus. The methods of ventilation are the latest and most approved. In addition to the ventilating shafts in the walls, large hoods are placed on tables in the middle of the rooms, to conduct off foul air. New apparatus will be placed in the laboratories. Although the present funds will not be sufficient to complete the furnishing, an additional appropriation of $4,000 has been insured. The south-west room, to be used for assaying, is fire-proof. Protection against fire is given by a large tank of water in the top story. Slate tables, fitted in the walls, support the delicate balances. The lecture room on the first floor will accommodate eighty-five pupils.
One can hardly appreciate the value of these new facilities for chemical work. We are situated only a short distance from the largest mineral field in the world. As yet this great tract has scarcely been touched. Ores of every kind abound. Fostered by the American principle of protection, the great west beyond us is bound to be covered with factories. Large numbers of chemical experts will be needed. As our chemical building and apparatus is now the most extensive of any west of the Mississippi, students will naturally be attracted to this place. Already we have ninety-five pupils in this department. How many can be expected in the near future?
Of the high ability of Prof. Bailey, the professor in charge, we have heretofore spoken. With such an instructor, and such facilities at his command, together with the demand in the west for practical education, we can see no reason why our chemical department should not become one of the best—aye, the foremost, in the United States.
The State Teachers' Association will meet at Topeka, December 26th. We understand that the University will be largely represented at the meeting, both by former students who are engaged in teaching, and by our present Normals. Of course a goodly delegation of our Professors will be on hand to enliven the association. The County Superintendent's Convention, which follows on the heels of the asssociation, will also have three or four of our former boys on its role.