Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-02-11
DR.. StrattOn's Resignation.

Dr. STRATUM hPSlSndllOH'
To the Trustees of Willamette Uni
versity.
GENTLEMEN: In accordance with
the statement contained in the no
tice which convened you; this meet
ing has been called to receive my
resignation from the office of chan
cellor Of Villa mette University. 1t
seems due that l make brief state
ment Of the reasons which have led
me to this decision.
Before coming here last June /
received several letters from leading
trustees and ministers, respecting
the condition and needs of William
cite University and the prospect OF
rapid and extended improvement,
if | should accept the chancellor
ship. All these letters spoke of the
possible or probable removal to Port
land; and all so far as | remember,
with favor.
AT the annual meeting Of the
trustees in June, committee on a
new site was appointed, and every
body seemed to understand that
Portland was included in the list of
places to be considered.
At the subsequent meeting of the
Oregon Annual Conference, the re-
port of the committee on education,
contained the following resolution:
"That we urge the trustees of
the Willamette university to take
immediate steps to erect new build
ings upon a new site, for the
use Of the university, that the value
Of the present grounds may be added
to the permanent endowment fund,
and we pledge our hearty and con
tinued cooperation in bringing about
the desired result"
A subsequent resolution nOmi-
mated a commission of ten members
to cooperate with the committee
of the trustees in considering and
determining the future location of
the University"
In the discussion which followed
the reading of the report the sugges-
tion of the Portland site was re-
ceived with general favor.
Nevertheless, when | came up
from California, and looked over the
field, it seemed to me that the first
effort should he put forth in Salem,
and the prospect seemed so encour-
aging that began building here
a house for my family. Later when
l began to feel the public pulse aud
TO weigh the advantages Of the re-
spective fields as seals for great
University -One worthy Of the cause
for which 1t was to stand, and Of the I.
church which it was to represent,
my judgment inclined to Portland. /
/ was met here by an unaccountable
apathy, in some cases amount
ing 10 disfavori and when
the needs OF the University were
placed at somewhat high figure,
was reminded that il was of less
consequence 10 Salem than its
friends imagined. This led me to
think Of another location, aud my
previous judgment was confirmed
during a meeting Of the full board to
consider the question Of location, by
a statement Of trustees living In Sa-
lem, and In condition 10 know It's
feeling toward the University, that
we could not raise $4,000 here TO
lift il into better condition.
But the plan was not for Port
land University. but for the transfer I
OF the higher and more expensive
departments Of the Willamette Uni /
versity 10 point nearer the center
Of population and wealth within the
sphere Of its sympathies, and In
touch ef its patronage and its wealth.
And during all the weeks which
preceded the all night session m
December, while / was looking Al