The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-22
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Open Letter From Mr. william Ker TO
Governor Ferry.
NORTH YAKIMA,

NORTH YAKIMA, May %, 1891
To His Excellency Governor Ferry-Sf-: As
citizen beg TO address Q public letter to
you as chief executive OF the state, on q matter
of public importance.
Custom has sanctioned this method OF pro-
cedure in cases where there is danger OF a wrong
being done to the common veal; and IL is be-
lieyed that the matter to which your best at
tention is now most earnestly requested is such
q case.
refer to the location of the State Agricultural
College and School OF Science at Pullman.
As regards the appointment of the commits
sion 10 locate the college, ii is held by many
lawyers In the state that the failure TO have
said commission confirmed by the Senate, as
provided in the constitution, is a vital defect
It'll q matter of common report and belief
that the location at Pullman hiss been made
against reason, against the best interests OF the
state and in the interest of private individuals
The public journals in commenting On the
decision of the commission have openly In
timated suspicious of fraud, and of improper
influence exercised by the acting governor on
the commissioners. This influence, Ii has been
openly charged. included bargain between the
acting governor and the commissioners, before
their appointment, bv which the latter were
bound to decide the location in accordance with
the wishes of the former.
Pullman lies In the extreme southeastern
part OF the state, and is so close TO the Idaho
line that il seems there Is q question as to
whether it may not actually lie in the latter
state.
It is not on any main line of railroad, and is
OF the main line Of travel, both for citizens Of
this state and Tor strangers.
Il costs more than twice much, both In
time and money, on the average, for the citizens
OF the state TO reach Pullman as il does to reach
some of the other points which sought for the
location.
Z, shor. vpryrr,or IL g.. ra~a-as ~ 49,. ~.
large, out OF the way, and most inconYeniently
situated
This, il 10 believed, viii initiate seriously
against the usefulness and success OF the col
lsge. and against the comfort and good Of the
people Of the state.
Pullman is situated at an elevation OF some
2,200 feet, and is in very marked idegres in
ferior in range of possible agricultural pro-
duets TO other points applicant for the college
Within few miles Of Pullman il located the
Idaho agricultural college. The farming con-
ditions are exactly alike, and any benefit which
can be got from the study OF farming under
these conditions is already at the service, nay,
at the very doors Of the citizens OF that portion
OF the state.
II We consider the college as a scientific
school, the botanical and geological tparticu-
Larry the minerall resources OF Pullman do not
compare with those OF other points mentioned
II Is difficult 70 see. and no one has attempted
TO show. what benent the state can derive from
the location OF the college at Pullman
On the other hand great advantages would be
gained by its location in the central part Of the
state
great part Of the state Is arid or partially
arid With irrigation this land 10 most
prolific Its range OF products is infinitely
greater than can be clstIed for the Pullman
country.
Farming under ordinary conditions I. taught
and studied in many institutions; but little is
known OF farming under irrigation Enough.
however. has been done notably in the Yakima
valley. to show its splendid possibilities.
1t IS factor OF the first importance in the
consideration OF this matter that experience
gained under irrigation farming win apply
equally TO ordinary farming, while experience