The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-10-20


Views Of Mr.. D. n. Gilman In Regard to
Their Proposed Purchase ~ the my
To mr. ErErox: The proposition Of
members of the board OF regents thas the
yery valuable University grounds be soid
and that . site more remote from the oass-
ness center Of the city be selected for uni
verxisy purposes. is SO eninensiy wise that
II would seem that the proposition would
only need 70 be stated TO secure tie hearty
concurrence OF the entire community. so
far A. the University itself is concerned,
two very important results would be Sc
cured 10 il by the proposition being earned
into effect. First. by the acquisition OF q
larger site IN more soifaole
neighborhood st nominal cost
Second. the realization of fund that would
not only enable the regents 70 erect
really magnificent University building, bat
leave an endowment sufficient to produce
an income of nj least $1,000 per annum.
With this for . foundation and with the
other lands owned 10y the University. 1t
would require only . few wears 10 create
a UNIVERSITY OF which the state would
be proud The state needs such
an institution, and. fortunately, tie re-
sources and elements are at hand with
which il can he created. The princely gift
of Mr.. Denny, made wears ago, would be
the main foandation-stone OF the whole
edifice. The suggestion of Mr. Crawford
that the present site be purchased by the
city and county for public buildings is not
less wise and timely than the proposition
10 sell. The reasons why the site should
be secured by the city and county are so
well stated by Mr.. Crawford and in your
editorial this morning that they hardly
need any further elaboration. The group
ing together OF the city. county and federal
buildings upon one central tract would
be greatly 20 the convenience of the public
and greatly facilitate the dispatch of public
business The university grounds are CEN
trai. slightly and oorsmodious, and at the
the same time, by reason of the topography
OF the neighborhood. accessible from every
direction and the grades remarkably easy
from every part OF the city. 1t would be
difficult to find in any city OF the world a
piece OF ground uniting SO perfectly the
elements of utility and beauty.
To those who only care for public build
ings being centrally located and conven-
lent OF access TO the great body of the pop
ulatation, this site will commend itself at
once. To those who wish site where the
public buildings viii produce the most pic
turesque and ornate effects, the university
grounds will be considered unrivaled.
From any point of approach to the city, by
water or rail, these grounds are almost the
first to come into view, and when crowned
by fine court house. q modern city hall,
and a handsome federal building. the effect
will be remarkably beautiful. These build
ings so situated with the other fine public
and private buildings on other slightly To-
cations, with the magnificent natural
scenery on every side, will soon give Seattle
worldwide fame as the most beautiful and
picturesque CITY on the continent.
BY adopting the suggestions of Mr.. Craw
ford, the site and the funds would be avail
able SO that a courthouse and a city hall
could be completed within from twelve to
eighteen months. A site could he procured
and a splendid university building erected
within the same time. Thus three impor-
tant, useful and ornamental public build
ings could be added to the city in another
season, and, what is an important point,
| believe nearly every inhabitant of the
city and country would be satisfied with
the location. 1t is hardly probable that
any other site can be chosen that will not
prodace a bitter wrangle. Before any of
these public buildings are erected elsewhere
the people of the city and county should
be given an opportunity TO express their
sentiments on this matter through a public
vote. Who can doubt that there would be
practical unanimity in favor OF the Univer-
sity grounds? ID. III. GILMAN.
October 10, 1850.