Charles Bessey, Letters, 1881

Biological Department. Professors: C. E. Bessey, M. Sc., Ph. D. Botany. F. E. Beal, B. Sc., Zoology. M. Stalker, B. Sc., V. S., Anatomy. D. S. Fairchild, M. D. Pathology. Assistant: H. Osborn, B. Sc., Entomology

A 28

Iowa Agricultural College. Ames, October 18th 1881

My dear Professor,

My attention has been called to an item in the papers saying that the people of California were making an effort to receive a state entomologist.

My friend Herbert Osborn, well known in Iowa for several years as an accomplished entomologist, asks me to inquire of you as to the matter. Should it come in your way to do so, I should esteem it a personal favor if you would mention Mr. Osborn's name to the proper persons, as one who might become a candidate for

the position. He has taken charge of the Entomology in our college for several years, and has during that time done much original work besides.

Please advise me as to the status of the matter, and do not consider this as more than an inquiry in Mr. Osborn's interest. When he learns the status of the matter he may not feel like becoming a candidate at all, but of course he feels an interest just now.

He spends the winter with Dr. H[agen?] in Cambridge.

Very truly [?] C. E. Bessey

University of California COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

Berkeley, OCTOBER 28, 1881.

DEAR PROFESSOR BESSEY,

IN ANSWER TO YOUS OF 18TH, I WOULD SAY THAT JUST AT PRESENT THE QUESTION OF A STATE ENTOMOLOGIST IS AN ABEYANCE, IN CONSE QUENCE OF THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE NO SESSION OF OF THE LEGISLATURE UNTIL FOURTEEN MONTHS HENCE; FOR WHICH GREAT MERCY WE ARE DEVOUTLY THANK FUL. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL BE A PROMINENT QUESTION, HOWEVER, WHEN THE NEW LEGISLATURE DOES ASSEMBLE - PROVIDED THAT BODY SHOULD EVE APPROXIMATELY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE FARMERS. FOR THAT TIME, THEN, MR. OSBORNE MAY KEEP THE MATTER IN VIEW, AND I WILL KEEP HIM BEFORE THE PROPER PERSONS, IF SO DESIRED.

IT IS QUITE LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE A LIVELY TIME ABOUT UNIVERSITY MATTERS AT THAT SESSION, AND THAT THERE WILL BE SOME SWEEPING MEASURES PROPOSED, ALBEIT THE CONSTITUTION FORTUNATELY PROHIBITS ANY DIRECT IN TERFERENCE EXCEPT IN SEEING THAT THE OBJECTS PRESCRIBED BY LAW ARE FUL FILLED. HERE COMES IN THE OLD QUESTION ABOUT THE INTENT OF THE MORRILL BILL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO FORESEE HOW IT WILL BE SETTLED, BUT IT IS QUITE LIKELY THAT A LITTLE MORE BONAFIDE AGRICULTURE WILL BE ENGRAF TED UPON THE UNIV. IN SOME WAY. IN THAT CASE THE PRESSURE FOR THE AP POINTMENT OF A WORKING ENTOMOLOGIST WILL BE VERY STRONG.

VERY TRULY YOURS signature

Henry Holt & Co. Publishers.

12 East 23d St., Madison Square, New York. March 17, 1881

Prof. C. E. Bessey, Dear Sir:

Yours of the 11th together with proof & copy is at hand. We shall set the printer to work again at once.

As requested, we send you a lot of the Am. Science Series Circulars by this mail. We have no regular appointed agents in the Northwest. Any bookseller in your locality, such as Moseley & Bro. of Madison, Wis. [?] [?] [Thordike?] [Nourse?] of Detroit [etc.?] will gladly supply our books.

Respectfully Yours Henry Holt & Co. [Vogelin?]

Henry Holt & Co. Publishers.

12 East 23d St., Madison Square, New York. March 17th 1881

Prof. C. E. Bessey Dear sir:

Prof. J. M. Mansfield of [Ind.?] [Alny?] University says: "There is one drawback to the Botany which I hope the able Professor will introduce in his next Edit. that is a key such as Gray has and a plan for analysis such as [Argas?]. Both could be put in without enlarging the book very much. At present I do not know how to get over the [?] of the key."

Are the above essential or very desirable?

Very truly yours Henry Holt & Co.