The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-23
OPEN LETTER TO UNIVERSITY LAND
AND BUILDING COMMISSION.
sEArrrR Sent % 1s,

SEATTLE, Sept. 20, 1891.
Gentlemen: The history OF legislation in this
state on behalf of the State university is marked
by series of discouraging contests, the best
fruits OF which have been the merest pittances
by way of appropriations, on which it has onIy
been possible TO maintain a school with which
neither the enterprising and high-minded citi-
ZenS who acted as regents. nor the hard working
and poorly paid professors, nor the graduates
themselves have been satisfied, much less proud.
During the last session of the legisla-
ture, however, new era dawned for
the State university. Laws were passed
giving the most generous support ever
extended TO the university and also reorganiz-
ing the institution and making it possible to
raise IL 10 such a high position as an educa-
tionel power that every citizen Of the state
would point to II with an ample and protecting
pride. You were appointed a commission TO
take hold of the school and lift ii TO this ele
waited plane, but, gentlemen, unless am nisin.
formed, you are in danger of being lkened To
Bill Nys's cow. When asked to hist she oyer.
did il, and am afraid there will be another
dull, sickening thud and when the citizen
neighbors rush out 20 See what II is they will
find that it is the university, and the the CON.
missioners have overdone the histing
When the legislature raised a special ioint
committee TO handle all questions pertaining to
the state university | was greatly houored nv
being chosen its chairman. Therefore I am
somewhat familiar with the steps that were
found necessary 20 secure the favorable lerisls-
ton that was enacted. The committee came
here TO seattle and was met in the Chamber of
Commerce by representatives of the city eoun-
Gil, tie Chamber of Commerce, the board Of
university regents, the faculty, the donors OF the
orig nal granted site, and other prominent citi-
gems The prevailing argument used there and
subsequently in the legislature in favor of the
proposed changing OF sites, was that il was the
intention To construct plain, commodious and
substantial university building and put therein
al adequate faculty of such instructors that
could compel the respect ana patronage of every
citizen in the stSte. In short, the war cry was:
"BT.ck and braiusr'
am told now, gentlemen, that You contem.
plate starting on your plan of a fourteen hui d.
iug university by building one structure that
viii cost $4,000. IL Is TO be wainscoted with
polished marble and finished with plate glass
aad other costly materials. II this information
Is correct, fear grave mistake is being made
Where is the money coming from?
The sale OF the old site would not give enough
money to start such an elegant structure VERY
little of the university's granted lands remain
available. PAST experience would Indicate the
uselessness OF depending on the legislature TO
maintain the school, much less 10 finish the
construction of such costly edifces.
surely building could be made sufficiently
substantial and connexions for all the needs of
this bright young state for less than half of the
proposed $Sj0.o1
The university OF Michigan is good pattern.
Their buildings are far from costly. but their
superb facilities have created an institution
without parallel on the continent 1t meets
the requirements Of not only the CREST state of
Michigan. but OF the families OF limited uears
all over the nation.
Your sections are being watched BY none Of
the citizens OF the stSte more closely or with
greater solieitude than by the graduates of the
university OF Washington They have tender
regard for the welfare OF the school whera thew