CONTENTS. ILLUSTRATIONS-University of Texas Front piece. Agricultural and Mechanical College... .Page 144. Medical College at Galveston. Sealy Hospital at Galveston.. CHAPTER I-ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSITY. Early Interest in Education.... The State Grange and the University. Rights of Colored Students...... Page 160. Page 172. OF CALIFORMA THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS. CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSITY. Before noticing the final organization and operations of the University, a review of its history will be not only interesting, but important to a proper appreciation of such difficulties as the University of Texas, in common with other State universities, and especially on account of State supervision, has had to encounter. To this end, extracts from the law, the rulings of State officials, and the expressions of public speakers, together with criticisms of the press, will be given, with such comments as may suggest themselves to the writer, by reason of familiarity with the University's history and access to early records. So far as relates to the substantial history of its organization, and, on account of the comparative infancy of the institution rendering it practicable, it is aimed to make the account as complete as necessary for all reference to the main facts, as well as a sufficient guide to those who may desire to search for more minute information. Nor will truth be spared, as is often done, on account of local influences, because not always agreeable, as that would be travesty, and the object is to bring out the fullest developments in the interest of history, and especially the unwritten history of the University. With this view the writer has not hesi tated to use pretty freely, with proper credit, such matter as he has found already prepared, where it particularly suited for the purpose. EARLY INTEREST IN EDUCATION. As an evidence of the great concern early manifested in the cause of education in Texas, precedent to |