LINCOLN INSTITUTE.
Lincoln Institute is located at Jefferson City, Mo., and had its origin in a fund of $6,379, contributed by the 62d and 65th Regiments of U. S. Colored Infantry, when discharged from service in January, 1865, of which the 62d gave $5,000. The only condition of the gift was that a school be established in Missouri open to the colored people.
The Board of Trustees, ten in number, was organized on June 25, 1865, and the school was opened September 17, 1866.
Mr. R. B. Foster was principal for the first two years, Mr. W. H. Payne the third year, and Mr. Foster again for two years. During all this time the school was taught in rented buildings, and had many obstacles to meet.
In June, 1871, the main building was completed. It was a substantial brick building, 60 × 70 feet, three stories, conveniently arranged, and eligibly located upon a prominent hill, just outside the limits of Jefferson City, commanding a view of a large part of it. The grounds contain twenty acres.
"The Legislature of 1879 appropriated $15,000 for the support of the institute, provided $5,000 should be applied to the payment of its indebtedness. This appropriation was contained in the general appropriation bill, and was a grant to a corporation managing a charity. The Constitution provides: 'The General Assembly shall have no power to make any grant * * * * * * of public money or thing of value to any individual, association of individuals, municipal, or other corporation whatever.' The grant was in violation of that part of the Constitution just quoted." Governor Phelps, from whose message to the Legislature the above is taken, held the bill until the Board of Trustees met and unanimously voted to transfer the institute to the State. The bill was immediately approved. This friendly act of the late Governor enabled the trustees to pay every dollar of the debt which for several years had embarrassed them, and to place the institute on a more permanent basis.
Since the institute became a State school, the Legislature has not only made large appropriations for its maintenance, but has also given money to erect dormitories, to purchase scientific apparatus, to make additions to the library and repair the main building.
By an act of the Thirty-fourth General Assembly a college and a college preparatory school were established in connection with the institute.
The same Assembly also passed an act which provides that the Normal diplomas shall entitle their holders to teach in the schools of the State without further examination; also that the graded certificates, which are granted upon the completion of the two years' course, shall entitle their holders to teach the several branches therein named for a period of two years from the day of graduation. Provision is made in the act for annulling these diplomas and certificates whenever it is found to be necessary.
By an act of the Thirty-sixth General Assembly an industrial department was established in connection with the institute.