The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-22
THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Seven Eastern Counties Want It-A Bill
That Finds Favor.

OLYMPIA, Feb 20-fSpecial. l--Scven
counties are striving for the location of the
state agricultural college-Y akima, Walla
Walla, Columbia, Whitman, Spokane,
Lincoln and Douglas-and the choice will
doubtless not be made by the legislature
itself. Last year, it will be remembered,
the Legislature passed a bill combining the
state agricultural college and the school
of science, and provided for the appoint
ment of commission to locate the sch DOL
before July 1, 1880. The commission failed
to agree, one member favoring Yakima,
another Whitman, and the third Spokane
county. The fight was therefore renewed
before the present legislature, and delega-
tons from the various counties came here
with the explicit intention of moving
heaven aud earth to secure the agricul-
tural college. The location of the college
undoubtedly cut figure in the senatorial
contest, just as the railroad question did.
1t was very convenient thing to trade
upon, being subject in which many of
the delegations were more deeply con-
cerned even than in the outcome of the
senatorial contest. But it IS questionable
Ii g specific contract was entered into by
anybody to trade off the college for sem
atorial votes; and even if there was it cam
not be carried out, for the reason that the
institution will be located by a Commits
sion to be appointed by the governor, and,
doubtless, the fortunate place will be the
place that seems to afford the best induce
ments.
The House committee on agricultural
college and school of science has recon-
mended the indefinite postponement Of all
the bills seeking to locate the school at
any point, and has recommended favor
ably the Adams bill. which provides a
plan of conduct of the institution. An
amendment added by the committee rec
ommends the creation of a commission Of
three, to be appointed by the governor
from west of the mountains, who shall To-
cate the school east of the Cascades. God
man, a member of the committee, had a
novel plan for the selection of the COM
mission, SO that their absolute impartial
ity can be assured. 1t provided that the
committee call in a member from each of
the western counties and ask him to fur
nish the names of three responsible and
reputable citizens of his county, not CIV
ing the member an idea of the purpose for
which these names were desired. These
names were to be placed on slips of paper,
and three selected from the number, and
these should constitute the commission.
The committee, however, thought it bet
ter to allow the appointments to be made
in the usual manner.
The Adams BILL as amended, provides
that no bonus of money shall be received
or considered in the location of the school,
but donations of sites, not to exceed $40
acres, may be received. Goldman, who
will submit minority report recommends
that these sites shall not exceed 200 acres.
The reason of such limitation upon offers
for the school is obvious. 1t prevents
bidding for the school by the offer Of large
sums Of money as endowment or other
wise. III such case the richer counties
might have much better opportunity to
secure the school than the poorer.
The agricultural college and school of
science will be the richest endowed edu-
cational institution in the state of Wash
ington. Congress devoted to its use 1916, 600
acres of the public lands granted to the
state, and further, it is proposed to take
advantage of the Hatch congressional act,
which allows from $4,000 to $25,O per
annum each for agricultural experiment
stations in the several states and terri
tories. Three institutions are thus CON-
bined in one-the agricultural college, the
school of science and the experiment sta
tion-and students will secure the advant-
age of study in the curricula of the several
institutions. The agricultural college will
stand in much the same relation to East
ern Washington as the state university
does to Western.