The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-12

psts = = a. AaAcf dates
Building operations progressed without
break during the latter half OF ISL and the
early part of iss2 AMI were concluded in
tine - hare the University of Washing
toa Territory formally opened IN the
autumn OF the latter year. with A. :. ier-
Ger, esq, as principal The Institution has
since been in operation with varying meas
ares O. success; bus at all times has been q
potent factor in the education OF the youth
Of the territory. aud thousands OF her ciii-
gems. some now in middle age. have re-
ceived instruction within It's walls
The buildings above named have stood
on their present sites twenty-eight years
and thus given practical evidence of sub
stantias construction. The rough lumber
was, OF course, mostly fir, and came from
the Yesier sawmil that then stood on the
site of the YesIeF-Leary block. erected there
many years later. The outside and inside
finishing Iuinter was mostly white pine and
came from Hoods canal. The stone for
foundation was quarried near Port orcn-
ard; the lime and brick came from San
Juan. and the building hardware and most
of the lead and oil for paints were bought
in Victoria because they could not be had
here.
Labor and all building materials, except
lumber, were in those days much dearer
than now, but the land was Cleared and in
closed with neat and strong picket fence,
well painted, and the three buildings COM
pleted ready for occupancy and turned
over to the university regents. appointed TO
manage the affairs of the institution, at a
cost of about $55O00
The y sections. or 5000 acres of land in
the grant. at $50 per acre We're worth
S69. 10. The remainder oil this sum. over
the 5000 named, in money or lands, was
turned over 70 the regents by Daniel Bag
ley and receipted for by them. and has
since been largely used for purposes con-
nected with the institution and Mr.. Baeley
has not in any way been responsible for
said use. His action as preSideB: of the
board OF university commissioners was
made the subject of repeated legislative in
vestigations and many adverse criticisms
throughout the territory. But after ali.
his accounts were approved at different
times by the legislatures. The same ac-
count books and land lists then used are
before the writer now, and they give every
tract Of land sold. TO whom sold, whether
paid for in coin or currency, and the date
of every disbursement of mener, the name
10 whom paid and what for, These books
are ROW open for inspection and have been
/ for twenty-eight years and Whenever dis
pasionately examined have convinced the
most skeptical as TO their correctness.
The only "squandering' OF funds that the
writer has had knowledge of was when the
/ different legislatures, in body OF in large
committees, at sundrv times came down 10
Seattle on q pretense Of investigation. but
more properly characterized as holiday
lsdrunks. and ordered the expenses paid
out OF the university funds. This was done
several times. and at one tilne the uniyer-
sity fund was robbed Of over 81 100 Id this
way. The records viii prove the truth Of
1 this assertion. To the credit OF later bodies.
nothing of this kind has occurred for
! twenty years or more.
Mr. Bagiey rendered his main account 10
/ the regents November IS. 1852. which was
/ made the subject of considerable contro-
| yersy during several years. but in 1861 a
| legislative committee was appointed, con-
| sisting of John w. Brazes, Park Winans
/ and Ira Ward, who, after about three
weeks Of pains-taking investigation, found
the account rendered by Mr.. Bagley cor
rect in every particular. This account
| found balance due the latter OF 70 in
/ cash, and in the report OF said committee
| they recommended the approval of the re-
/ port and the payment OF said balance.
which was afterward done. They also rec
1 omEsended the payment out Of the terri
| toriai treasury for two years service, which
We consider due Mr.. Bagley, ms per voucher
now in the hands Of the university regents,
in accordance with the law OF the territory
/ passed January Ii, 1851.
This same committee complimented Mr..
/ BagIey in warm terms and sustained the
honesty and business ability be had shown
/ in ilA management OF the affairs OF the
/ university during bis connection with IL.
/ This report is TO be found 10 the legislative
/ journals OF the session OF 1857. OF this
committee. Mr.. Brazee was for twenty
/ years or more at the Cascades. IN Skamania
/ county. holding most responsible position
/ in the o. s. ~ employ. and then moved 10
/ Portland, where be was recognized as one
/ OF the leading citizens, whose name was a
| synonym for business ability and moral
/ integrity. He and Hon. NJ. :. Drew, menu
Der Of tire present legislature from kiisap
county. we're hrothers-in-Iaw. Mr. Park
/ winans was for many years the foremost
/ citizen OF Stevens county and later moved
! 20 WaIla walla and formed a commercial
| partnership there that continues one Of
| the leading houses Of that place de Is
| noted as skillIul accountant and OF vide
/ experience in business affairs. and the
thousands in WaIla Walla and all through
the state who know him well will voach
FOR his consistent integrity he third
member. Mr. Ira Ward. still lives in Inm-
/ water. Thurston county. and hss been one
/ of the hest known citizens OF that county
I for nearly forty years. he has been re-
peatediy hon0red by his fellow citizens at
| The polls and no one, through al these
| yesrs. has cast an aspersien upon his char
acteF IL hss ever been above repFoaeh.
go much for the standing Of the gentlemen
whose redort has been adEerted 10 above
Now. as 20 the sqnsnde:ing Of the lands
or the funds arising from their sale That
the ~ we're honestly used has been aound-
antsy proved. The question remaining Tor
discussion is as 70 the pFepriesy q their
being sold when they were. Ii : ffste
saying that ''oue cant hare ore : cake aad
eat Il Ia Ise9. the few pioneers wao had
struggled for years through pTiTAsions Ana
dangers, Of which the present generation
has no conception. were encouraged With
the belief that the overflow Of the countless
thousands then throngtng 20 the great
taa4ns wsss az the Missouri river would
soaa reach these shores, and that IN less
than a sscAese great AMI popalons state
would arise here. The great civil var N
terveuea. ansl undoubtedly retarded that
eveat Al least 3 score u years
These FSorsers falt - much neea q
transportation lines. and Fssbsic improve