those conveniences which would put it in a fit condition for the reception of students. With a singular lack of foresight, the architect had completed the structure without making any provision for heating, lighting, supplying with water and adequate drainage. These indispensable requisites for health and convenience had to be put in ,subsequently at a great disadvantage and at an increased cost.
The main building has undergone a few modifications since the above noted, the principal being the present water supply in use since 1872, the lighting of the building by electricity since 1885, and the removal of the water closets from the building and placed into brick towers near the rear of the building, in 1888.
The main college building is five stories high including the basement, and is 158 feet long by 112 feet through the wings. In the basement, which is almost wholly above ground, are the dining-room, kitchen, room for help, and a lecture room. On the first floor proper are the chapel, steward's office, library, reception, recitation, music rooms and rooms for teachers. On second floor are three recitation rooms, teachers' rooms and dormitories for lady students. On the remaining floors are dormitories for gentlemen students. The museum occupies nearly all the third and fourth floors of the south wing.
The library, chapel and museum will be removed from the main building in 1891 and placed in the new building, for which purpose the last General Assembly appropriated $35000. The space thus vacated will be made into rooms for students, making the capacity of the main building about 300 students.
At the January meeting of the trustees in 1867, Gov. Stone, Lieut-Gov. Gue, and President of the State Agricultural Society Peter Melendy were charged with the duty to examine into, and, if necessary, visit agricultural colleges in other States in order to get all information necessary for the successful organization of the Iowa Agricultural College, to select a competent faculty, engage them, fix their salaries and make full report to the board. Gov. Stone, owing to official duties, could not serve, and the work was done by Messrs. Gue and Melendy. This committee reported to the board in January, 1868. Their investigations extended through twelve States, embracing visits to the chief seats of learning therein, and conferences with the leading educators of the land. The plan of organization, recommended by the committee, was closely followed, and embodied as its main features:
(1.) The election of a president, four professors and two assistants; the president to be chosen as early as possible to assist in selecting the faculty.
(2.) A course of study substantially as laid down in the law of 1858 (already quoted).
(3.) The adoption of a system of instructive manual labor, including operations on the farm and the mechanical trades, the student to receive a reasonable compensation.
( 4. ) A boarding department under the charge of a steward selected by the trustees.
(5.) The admission of students to be on the basis of one or more from each county, for each representative in the popular branch of the General Assembly; to be selected in a manner to be fixed hereafter, subject to such examination of qualifications as to education and moral character as may be prescribed by the trustees and faculty.
(6.) Politics and sectarianism of any description to be carefully excluded, and never be permitted to control the selection of students or members of the faculty, and under no circumstances to be taught in any department of the college.