Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-09-29
MADISON. Sept. 10, 1881.

To the Editor AS all manner of
rumors are appearing in the papers
OF the country, and especially in the
papers of this state, concerning the
recent action of the students of the
University Of Wisconsin as to the
resolutions passed at the June meet
ing, 1881, by the Board of Regents
OF the University, imposing the sum
OF $1,000 on all the students of the
University, under the name Of incl
denal expenses, and rs many of these
runors tend, we think, to the injury
Of the University we, as students
of the University, who are interest
ed in its welfare, trust the following
brief and correct account of what
has occurred, viii be considered
worthy a place in your paper
The students considered this tax
of $1,000 illegal, and believed it in
principle, opposed to the best inter
es,s Of the University. They called
upon counsel and were advised that
IL was a doubtful question whether
the Board OF Regents had a right to
impose such tax. Under this ad-
vice the students determined to test
the question. Students meetings
were called the question was fully
and fairly discussed, in plain and
orderly manner; and an Anli-tuition
League was organized with a mem-
bership OF about two hundred stu
dents. The object of this league is
not to oppose in any manner, either
the regents or the faculty. It's OBJ
iect IS simply to associate together a
large number of students, who would
all assist in paying the expenses in-
ciaent to testing the legality Of the
question, and thus make the expense
to each student small,
1t was first thought that the stu
dents might pay the fee imposed
under protest, aud then bring an
action against the board of regents
to recover the sum so paid but tho
students were advised by their coun
sci, after the question had been on
amined, that such payment would
likely be construed by the court, ac
Q noi,9atagY payment, and that tht
poipt involved could not bo tested il
that way.
The question then presented itsel
whether some two hundred students
of the university should refuse abso-
lutely to pay the sum imposed. OIL
whether all but few should pay
under protest. The latter course
was followed, since all those refusing
to pay would be suspended from
the university, and thus the uniyer
sity might receive serious injury
All the students who were member,
OF the league paid the required sum
uuaer protest, except thirteen mem
bers of the Senior class. Thes,
members were elected by the league
and in accordance with the duty
thus imposed on them did not pay
the tax, and were this morning
formally suspended until the pay
ment should be made.
At all the meetings held by the
students, the best OF order has pre-
vailed. No ill feeling exists be
tween the students and faculty, nol
is the action of the students prompt
ed by any belligerent or unfriendly
! feeling toward the board of regents
The students consider that the prin
eiple at stake demands the action
they are taking; they believe the
university should be in reality free
institution; and they do not believe
that the interests of the university
demand, if its funds are properly
managed, that the students should
pay this tax. However this may be
the students think that the board OF
regents have not the implied power
to impose such tax, and that sucl
tax can only be imposed by an act
of the Legislature. The question al
issue is purely legal one, and
should be so regarded by the people
Of the state. The only desire OF the
students at the present time, is to
haye the question of law at issue
passed upon by the court. All talk
about the students rebelling against
the university, and holding disor-
derly or noisy :neetings, is u ot only
untrue, but most of such talk is
utterly nonscnslcal.
CoaMITTgE or STUDENTS ON Con-
DUCT.
DR.. BLISS is confined TO his bed
with large pus abscess on his right