The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-01-17
UNIVERSITY OF DESRRET.

The report of the University Of
Deseret presented in the House OF
Representatives on Thursday, makes
a very good showing FOR the inetitu-
ton, which is in much more thriving
condition than one might naturally
presume It to Re considering the many
and serious character OF the difficult
ties that it has encountered. But
while it is admitted that the University
is q prosperous and credita5le institu-
ton, it by no means is what it should
be. These who have resided here
any length of time, and made them
selves at all acquainted with educa
tional matters, know how the Uni
Yersity has struggled along, some
times existing only in name, and
never Furnishing with the backing
necessary to give it an air Of solidity
and permanence. With due respect
for legislatures of the past we think
not enough has been done for
the University, and believe that it
should now be lifted from its lettering
condition of uncertainty and placed
upon a solid, substantial and lasting
foundation. It Is a public concern,
belongs to the territory, and will be a
state affair when Utah shall be ad'
mittsd to the American sisterho0d ;
then it ought to be something in
which everybody in the community
could not only take pride, but in the
solid ty and permanen0e OF which ell
would believe. No other territory, it
is admitted, has an educational insti
tuition that will compare with the
University bat it must be remem-
bered that Utah is also ahead of all
her neighbors in population. wealth
and development.
Within the past year or teo. sew
eral of the leading and wealthy ci;i-
zens OF Ssll Lake have manifested
deep interest in the University, and
expressed a desire to see it elevated
to a plane where il belongs as a state
institution. Il has been quite gen
orally understood that persons were
ready and even anxious t. libeIaIy
endoW it provided the territory would
do something in the way of establish
ing it on q firm foundation and fixing
its permsnence. We are confien! that
liberal disposition on the part Of the
Legislature would be me! by these
public spirited persons in a most gen
erous spirit, and the University soon be
occupying a high position among the
schools of the west. But these gen.
tlemen do not feel ike contributing
to an institution OF the kind In the
permanent existence and absolute
stability of which they cannot have
perfect confidence. II the University
is TO depend for its support or exist
ence upon the uncertainty Of a bieu
NAL appropriation of greater or less
sum, the assurance inspired in its
sOlidity 6il never become very strong.
It ought to be given q certain interest |
or amount in perpetuity, go as to |
establish faith in It's continu
snce. This would show that
the design was to maintain
the institution, and a! the same time
prevent a iutare narroR-miuded Leg
isla.ure from interfering with II. It |
is hopsi that the present Legislature
will at lesst provide more suitable
and grounds for the school, |
when We ara confident private indi.
Yiduals will zee that the University
does not Lag and drag along at a tot
.ering, unsteady gait, never knowing
it can ''pull through" to thu
1sxl Meeting Of the Assembly. The
oundatioa for 6 grand educational
ns!itutiouss here; roR let it be built
lpon, and stfus.nrs reared that
hall command the admiration Of the
rest, end no one in this or future
will ever regret the few
ollars now expended in firmly estab-
shing the Deseret University. q