Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-10-26
THE UNIVERSITY SITUATION.
a Plain Statement by One Who is We,
Posted

|
| Posted.
Contributed to the Mitchell Rspubli.
can: Now that the conference is over
and its action with reference to the uni.
yersity has been thoroughly reviewed BY
our per pie, the situation Is not, after all
so formidable as at first supposed. II
appears that the struggle is not SO much
between Mitchell and the conference. as
| between other towns and our own,
huron, Watertown and Sioux Falls con-
slider the school a prize worthy har.
struggle, and each had their representa-
tiVes at Yankton, determined if possible
TO win. The conference, feeling the
weight OF Its obligations to Mitchell to
oe greater than the pressure from other
localities, was still forced to concede a
large degree OF merit to their rival offers.
On one hand was Mitchell, whose
claims were unquestioned in the minds
OF all who took the trouble to investi.
gate, but to avail themselves of all that
Mitchell had done, the conference must
raise at least $24, 900. This ell admitted
1t was impossible to do unaided. On the
other hand was the rival bids, the small
est OF which offered to erect and furnish
q building, IN no respect inferior to our
own, and also to furnish IN lands ample
endowment for the future.
After a careful review OF the whole
situation. the conference determined TO
exclude all rival bids for the present,
and to give to Mitchell an nncontested
field until February next. IL farther
changed the conditions. 80 that instead
of en- incomplete building, saeh az has
been contemplated by the board in its
action since the fire, es being the best
We could do, We should have building
complete in all it's parts, furnished
throughout. Furthermore, these CON
ditions contemplate that oil indebted-
ness resting upon the property shall be
wiped out, and the land turned over to
the conference for future endowment,
III these requirements cen be met, we
shall reach condition which for it's
permanent advantages to the school, and
TO Mischeil we had not thought possible
to reach for years to come.
Nov as to the possibility of accom-
pllshing this work. The amount to be
raised or guaranteed by next February,
ls S24 900. OF this amount SIS ZOO ia in
debtedness which the conference feels
bound to take care of, and which it
to raise. Revs. Atkinson and
CLARK will undertake the supervision of
this work. DIR. Brush, whose success in
the past warrents him in making the ef-
tort, will undertake to raise SO, 900 most
ly outside of Dakota. The board of di- |
rectors have IN their possession notes
for the sale of lots, from which they hope
to realize at least $4,000. Thus three
fourths OF the entire amount, if these ef- |
forts shall succeed, is provided for,
leaving but one-fourtb, or $4,000 for
to take care of.
The freight bills for lumber and other |
building material will necessarily be |
large. AS a CITY we can doubtless secure |
donations in freight from rail- |
'osds oentering here, every dollar OF
which will accrue to our credit, thus re.
iuolng the amount we are asked 10 raise. |
With the prospect OF completed |
building, well furnished and clear of |
iebt II this SS24 900 cen be raised; with |
his division Of labor in which the con-
erence, Mr.. Brush, the board OF diree-
;ors and Mitchell bear an equal part,
With the most unqualified instructions
10 the commission which meets in Feb
nary next to look over our work-that
we have met these conditions no rival
bids are to be for moment considered, |
>ut that the commission is authorized |
10 declare the question OF localities at |
'nee and forever settled With these |
manifest advantages within our reach,
We can certainly enter upon this effort |
With renewed energy. a school which
8 coveted by three of the largest cities
q the territory, each of which sent their
representatives. to conference, with de-
mite instructions; many OF these gen.
lemen patiently awaiting the result Of
he long debate which finally awarded to
another chance; such school
8 certainly worth the struggle.