The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-02-15
UNIVERSITY OF DESERET.
Shall 1t Be Established On a Per-
manent Basis?

manent BasisP
The report Of the Chancellor of the
University Of Deseret, now published
in pamphlet form, contains a recon-
mendation that is worthy the serious
consideration OF the Legislature;
especially so at this late day. This
recommendation has reference 10 the
necessity of the purchase OF university
grounds and the erection of university
buildings-grounds and bulldogs the
property of the state, and under the
state patronage. We extract from
the report:
Though everything has been
done, perhaps, that could be done,
under the circumstances, to afford
respectable and convenient quar-
tiers for the educational depart.
ment, yet the school is worthy Of
better accommodations than have yet
been provided, and ought to be re-
moved from the annoyance and iostle
of trade, and freed from the condition
of rental subsection. Indeed, it should
be matter of pride to the territory
to have its only university furnished
with suitable and ample grounds and
convenient buildings of its own, such
as every citizen might look upon with
q feeling of home pride.
Another argument in this conneo-
ton will merit your consideration.
States az we'll as individuals have a
character to make, as on their repu-
tttion, in q great measure, will
depend their favor and influence
abroad, which is an element IN proc
perity, not to be overlooked. There
is net an influential stale in the
Union that does not pride itself in its
school buildings, and boast even OF a
magnificent university. So general
is the recognition OF this school in
tsrest as a potent factor in the char
acter of a stats, that the enemies Of
Utah have seized it to use even falsely |
in their malignant efforts against the
people of this territory.
Again the report says: II hope
that, whatever may be done by your
honorable body during itI present ses-
sion to aid the University, something
will be effected to settle any question
there may be of its permanent estab-
lishment. If this assurance can be
made to the people, that the institu-
ton is fixed upon firm basis, and
its perpetuity identified with the
honor Of the state, much can be done
by its officers In securing donations,
and requests, and by the sale of
scholarships, that will go far towards
its permanent endowment, and in
increasing its efficiency as an institu-
ton of learning"
The necessity of an institu-
ton of this nature, under
public guaranty, wherein elementary
mechanical and engineering instruc-
ton can be impaired, is apparent to
every one who appreciates the future
importance of this territory. 1t is
known that If the University Is recog-
nized as q state offspring, and the
state is disposed to fO5ter and encouI-
age it, private gentlemen, who have
the educational interests Of the
community at heart, are ready
to step forward and render the
institution pecuniary aid, which will
place it on q basis that will insure its
permauence and prominence. The
same suggestion was made to the
last Legislature, though Eot so fully
argued as it is this time; but for
reasons that were doubtless tenable,
did not meet with approval. 1t is re-
newed this time, and with much
greater reasons to hope for success.
The territory now occupies a posi-
ton which requires an institution OF
the character mentioned, and while
it may not be in condition to erect
at once such buildings as could be
desired, it can at least make an sp
preparation for the purpose that will
show the disposition Of our Legisla-
tlre to encourage the building of
territorial university. Land will
never be cheaper than 1t is now, mort
can building ever be erected at less
expense than at present. Besides
these considerations, the assurance OF
donations and requests, IN the event
of the Assembly giving it a start,
should also be a weighty inducement.
No one can entertain the idea that
such a MEASURE is for local benefit,
and opposition on such a ground
would arise from selfshness. Il
is essentially territorial, and should
receive the hearty support and
endorsement OF every county in the
territory; and We feel confident that
ev9ry county viii applaud the pas
sage Of an act authorizing an expen-
ditnre in this direction. Arguments
iunumerable might be advanced in
support CT this measure. but the good
sense of our Legislators will make
these arguments as apparent to them
as they are to Us; and they will
doubtless act with judgment in the G
matter. e
A bill was Introduced, yesterday, a
by Mr.. Penrose, asking an appropri- :
alton of $4,000 for the purpose men b
toned above, not more than $4,000 g
to be drawn each year. In introduc- O.
ing the measure, Mr.. Psnrose said it u
bad been submitted to the territorial II
of schools, and had a
his endorsement. Consider a
ing the object, the sum is by no Il
means large. and the fact that not q
over SIC, 900 is to be drawn in any |
one year, is such an admirable sug-
sestion that the institution can be Z
built, the object attained, aud but
little drain will be felt upon the pub n
nc exchequer. The measure should, ?,
and doubtless will, become law at 3
once. Q