These charges are indeed larger than ours. But it must be remembered that all these institutions and the eastern colleges generally have funds for the pecuniary assistance of students and that in each of them a large proportion of the students receive enough to pay for their tuition, and in some cases more than that, while we have no provision for remitting the fees to any student. Cornell University, for instance, has 512 state scholarships, giving free tuition to the holders, nine university scholarships, yielding $200 a year, eight fellowships for graduates, yielding $400 a year, and tuition is free to graduate students. Williams College has funds which enable it to give to each of fifteen or twenty men $150 a year, to each of twelve more $105 a year, to each of eight more $120 a year, and to fifty or sixty others the tuition, $90 a year. About one hundred students of the entire number, two hundred and seventy, more than one-third of all, are thus aided. Other assistance is also given in certain cases. Brown University has a fund of over $152,000, the proceeds of which are given in various ways in aid of students. Amherst College distributes $8,000 a year in scholarships and over $1,600 a year in prizes. Yale University aids 120 students annually with scholarships, yielding from $60 to $200, and 25 other students with scholarships or fellowships conferred for proficiency in studies, and yielding from $55 to $600 each, and distributes $1,000 annually in prizes. Harvard University now distributes to students $66,000 a year, a sum larger than our total receipts from students. The authorities of that institution announce officially that no young man of marked ability and good character need stay away from Harvard on account of poverty. Every such person who wishes to study there is assured that he shall receive the aid needed to enable him to complete his course. It will be seen from these facts that it is utterly misleading to infer from the published rates of tuition in the eastern colleges that they are receiving twice or thrice as much as we from their students because their nominal fees are twice or thrice as large as ours. It may well be that a student who receives the income from some of the scholarships or fellowships in one of these colleges is subjected to less expense than the average undergraduate here. Upon consideration of all the facts I think we must conclude that if we have regard to the fees charged by other colleges and universities, or to our own experience in raising the fees of non-resident students, we cannot safely ask more at present of our non-resident students. It is sometimes said that the University is the school of the rich rather than of pupils in moderate circumstances. It is occasionally spoken of tauntingly by those not familiar with its interior life as "aristocratic." I made an effort last autumn to gather statistics concerning the pursuits of the parents of our students. I sent a circular to each student asking him to inform me what was the occupation of his father. I received answers from 1,406 persons. Of the pursuits most largely represented I give the figures

as follows: Farmers, 502; merchants, (the term is used in the west to describe retail tradesmen as well as wholesale dealers), 171; lawyers, (including six professors). 93; physicians, 83; manufacturers, 52; mechanics, 54; clergymen, 51; real estate and insurance agents, 33; bankers and brokers, 28; teachers, 26; lumbermen, 24; contractors and builders, 17; salesmen, clerks, and book-keepers, 17; druggists and chemists, 16; tailors, 15; dealers in live stock, 14; millers, 14; commercial travelers, 14; dentists, 12; common laborers, 8.

Most persons will be surprised to see how greatly the number of farmers' children exceeds every other class. If we assume that the farmers gain their living by manual toil, and add to them the other classes who unquestionably support themselves by physical labor, I estimate that the fathers of 45 per cent. of the students who reported may properly be considered as thus gaining their livelihood. Of course the classification thus obtained is only approximately correct. Some of the farmers probably are not subjected to strenuous toil. On the other hand, many of those classed as merchants, retail grocers for instance, lead a life which is physically as fatiguing and as truly devoted to manual labor as is the life of the carpenter. But certainly the figures do show what everyone familiar with our students knows to be true, that the sons and daughters of the rich do not form a very large percentage of the whole number. A very large proportion of our under graduates have by hard toil and great self denial earned the means to support themselves in whole or in large part while here. Not a few continue to remain here only by the practice of an economy which too often endangers their health.

I desire to make grateful mention in this report of the efforts which Christian churches are making for the spiritual culture of our students. The churches in this city have always manifested the warmest interest in the welfare of the students, and have spared no pains to make this place a home, in which wholesome and helpful, social and moral influences should be extended upon the great company of young men and young women who gather under our roof. But recently there have been manifestations of a wider and deeper interest in them. Large-hearted communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church have erected a fine building to serve as a special religious home for students and have provided for courses of lectures on religious themes by eminent men. The Presbyterians are making arrangements for occupying with a similar end in view a commodious house, which a generous woman has placed at their disposal. There is also good ground to hope that the efforts to secure the funds for the erection and endowment of a suitable building for the Students' Christian Association are soon to be crowned with success. While we believe we are right in not compelling the attendance of students on religious services, we are profoundly appreciative of all the assistance we receive in furnishing them with the means of spiritual culture, which is the crown of all culture. The conditions of life here now are, as we think, most friendly to the moral and spiritual growth of all connected with the University.

The semi-centennial celebration of the founding of the University was a memorable occasion. The attendance of the alumni and friends of the institution equalled our highest anticipations. A considerable number of the most important American colleges and universities were represented by delegates. Most cordial greetings were sent to us from the great universities

beyond the sea. The devotion and enthusiasm of the many friends of the University were so pleasantly manifested that we cannot see her enter upon her second half century without new hope and cheer. The progress of the arts and the sciences, the improvement in methods of education, and the increasing number of students, are making larger and larger demands on her strength. But the generosity of the State has enabled us thus far to meet those demands in at least a fairly satisfactory manner. We have the fullest confidence that we shall be properly sustained in all well considered efforts to 'make her future career worthy of her splendid history, and worthy of the fame and intelligence of this prosperous commonwealth.

APPENDIX A.

FINANCE REPORT.

JAMES B. ANGELL.

To the Board of Regents:

The Finance Committee herewith present the treasurer's statement of receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1887, and their estimate of receipts and expenditures for the year ending September 30, 1888.

The books and vouchers of the treasurer and of the steward have been examined in minute detail and the items included in the treasurer's report have been carefully verified and found correct.

The net cash balance in the treasury at the close of the year is $21,929.09. But it appears by the treasurer's report that a balance of $38,029.69 stands to the credit of special funds, which must be used for the purposes for which the appropriations were made; that three of the special funds are overdrawn $1,221.54; and that the general fund, on which the regents have to depend to meet current expenses, is overdrawn $14,879.06.

During the year to come large expenditures will have to be incurred. Several buildings are in process of construction, for which provision was made by the liberality of the legislature. But no provision was made for the Anatomical Laboratory, and the cost of this building must be defrayed from the general fund, and remain charged to that fund until a reimbursement is obtained from the State. The estimated cost of this building is between seven and eight thousand dollars.

The general fund will also have to bear the additional cost of heating, lighting, and caring for the new buildings, and will also have to carry the burden of all additions to current expenses caused by the enlargement of the work of the University.

It is anticipated, also, that within the year additions and improvements, costing at least $3,000.00, must be made to the Dental College.

The estimate of $148,000.00 for salaries is no larger than is needed to meet engagements already entered into. No provision has been made in this estimate for additions to the teaching force, nor for any increase of salaries beyond what has already been voted.

By the exercise of close economy on the part of the Board of Regents, supported by a continuance of the praiseworthy watchfulness over all expenditures, that has been maintained by the auditing board, it is expected that the expenses of the University for the year to come may be kept within its income; but, as in previous years, the condition of the finances warns us against all outlays except such as are needed to meet the most pressing wants, that have not been provided for by special appropriations of the legislature.

To the Finance Committee of the Board of Regents, University of Michigan:

GENTLEMEN-Herewith I submit a statement of the receipts and disbursements of this office for

and during the fiscal year ending September 30th, 1887.

Respectfully,

H. SOULE, Treasurer.

$17,173 71

$82,487 76

66,165 94

1,318 00

60,641 74 210,613 44