Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
For the Journal.
The Iowa Farmers College.

Mr.. EDITOR - The Board of Trustees
held their annual meeting, beginning "on
the second Monday OF Jsnuary." The Farm
was located in Story county in June las,
provided the subscri ptions offered by ths
people aud the county were complied with.
When VIC met we found that these terms
had not been complied with. The Judge OF
Story county had not issued the $40 900 oil
county bonds. In the mean time the Su-
prene Court decided against county bonds.
Our affairs were in lad condition to report
to our Legislature.
1t was Impossible for Us to tell, at 81
early time wbether the state would make
an appropriation for US to build College
the two coming years. 1t became necessary
Tor US to call another meeting as soon as the
Legislature passes upon this subject. We
nope that our next meeting will be held early
in March or the last Of February.
We appointed au agent to 60 into Story
and Boone counties and coliectt the subscrip-
lions in notes and deeds of land, and to get
petition to the Legislature signed to nave
those county bonds made legal. The Su-
creme Court did not decide tho bonds to be
unconstitutional but VOID for want OF author
ity. Judge Wright is of the opinion that
this viii be roper course.
The people OF Story and B zones counties,
are nov WIDE awake, and although it is hard
times, they are determined to perform as
they contracted to do, and even additional
subscriptions were being given. The bonds
were Issued Ia SUNS Of 500 md $3.50
each, aud Individuals were endorsin e
them to guarantee their payment. And
witt, their petition to the Legislature to To-
galze tie bonds, we trust the Legislature
will 30 it, and all will be faithfully perform
ed, up to Offer. on the part Of the people in
Story and boo.e counties.
Our plan for College building, drawn
by our prudent and excellent mechanic and
architect, Mr.. Butt, Was highly approved
by the Board. II was thought that 50 large
u building would cost more than $4,000 !;
but when told them that MIR. Burt was
willing to contract to build it at that price,
they could no longer doubt the correctness
Of the estimate. Size, Al by 100 feet, four
stories with basement. We could not
possibly make convenient building any
smaller, to accommodate 100 student, Pres
ident, Professors, with kitchen and dining
room--hos,es for all. But how are we to
get the money to build it? We thought We
should ask for half this year and half next
But owing to the hardness of the times, we
thought We would offer compromise ard
ask tor none this year-half next and trust
to the next Legislature to appropriate the
balance. We have made a clear, full and
open handed report of this building, and do
not 20 before the Legislature and ask for
SIC, 900, especially to 60 ON and build a
building that viii cost 100000. W. ex-
pect that the building will cost 10000
heating with steam, s., 000--out buildings
and contingent expens es, $4,000. Sub
scriptions will mostly go for opening the
farm and farm buildings. Before this
College is competed, it is likely we
shall be able to sell some of the lands, and
$4,000 eventually. ~ .'-.#'
We are looked TO with deep interest in
this institution by all the States in the
Union, aud six or eight are corresponding
with US, giving Us their experience, good
counsel and encouragement, III every posi-
bic way. But some members Of our State
Agricultural Society haze done us much
harm. wish ii stiey lave it not in the
of their hearts and wisdom to
US good, that they be SO kind as to let
Is alone. - -- .,s- -, ....-..
.Ex.Uhief Justice, Geo. G. Wright, is now
member of our trustees "a imam whom all
he people respect-whose counsel is valua-
lie as we'll as chat Of Governor Kirkwood.
There is enc very urgent reason why our
ksgislature should make an appropriation az
his session, to com,nsuoe this college bulld-
ng within two years, While we are siren
lous in demanding our just due Of subscrip-
ion 10 this institution, they may very prop 7
rly demand juotice Of US. They subscrib-
d not merely to bulld house and barn,
ut tor College building, and to open
,armer's school. SgRL FOSTER.