The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-04-09
THE COLLEGE COMMISSION.
lis Reception in Iakima.-The Advantages q
Oar Section Displayed in URVarnishsd
CSlOS...0H for PaScO.

Messrs. Black, Conover and Smith,
constituting the commission to locate the
state agricultural college and school
Of science, arrived in this city on Tuesday,
as previously announced. They were
taken in carriages to the Hotel Yakima,
and there met number Of citizens, after
which they took up at once the business
exploration and made a carriage ride for
several miles.
At eight o'clock in the evening the
Yakima club parlor was thrown open and
citizens-ladies and gentlemen to the
number Of several hundred-were pre-
sented, good music by Reeds band and
some dancing following the reception.
All were delighted with the evenings en-
tertainment; and, whatever the gentlemen
Of the commission may do in regard to
the main subject, they have made friends
Of our citizens by the pleasant social in
tercourse had on this occasion.
On Wednesday morning carriages were
again brought around and the drive to all
points west and south Of town made.
On Wednesday afternoon, the mem.
bers Of the commission, at their own re-
quest, met the citizens Of Yakima county,
in mass meeting at the Yakima club, and
heard the arguments advanced by our
people in favor Of locating the college at
this place. Gov. Black, the chairman Of
the commission, presided over the meet
ing, and made short statement in open
ing Of what the commission wished 10
hear from the citizens.
Mr.. Whitson suggested that the iarn-
ers present be heard from.
Judge s. o. Morford gave full state
ment Of the fertility Of the soil and the
wonderful crops realized by the farmer.
Col. L. s. Hewlett directed his remarks
to the extent Of the public domain yet
undisposed of-its arid character and the
necessity Of scientific Investigation and
study to utilize 1t for agricultural pur-
poses; that it is the work Of the student
to study the question regarding arid lands
and how to feed coming generations from
them.
Hon. II. J. Snively made good argu-
ment for the. location Of the college in
Yakima by reason Of its central location,
accessibility and future prospects, and by
reason Of l,7O0, 900 acres Of arabic land in
the county and the large and varied pro-
ducts Of the soil.
Capt. C. NJ. Holton made Il fOrcible
presentation Of the advantages and pro-
priety Of q central and accessible location.
Mr.. VIM. Ker listed the great variety
and gave the producing capacity Of the
soil, and stated that no college or institu-
ton OF any kind existed that made study
Of the arid lands and the advantages Of
irrigated over non.irrigated lands and Of
the subject Of irrigation; that students
from the west side Of the mountains de-
string to study agriculture as adapted to
their section had access to the agricul-
tural college Of Oregon, and students from
the wheat fields Of the Palouse had a
similar Institution just at hand in Idaho,
while the student from the arid and irri-
gated lands Of central Washington had
no institution that they could attend where
agricultural science was taught applicable
to such a section.
Mr.. X. S. Morgan, as a practical gar
dener, gave figures Of the producing ca
pacity Of the soil for large variety Of
productions.
Hon. J. B. Reavis gave an account Of
the healthiulness OF this section and Of
the educated character and morality Of
the citizens.
Mr.. r. B. Milroy showed what advan-
tages the practical student in scientific
institution would have here in field work,
In chemistry as applied to agriculture, in
botany field from polar to semi-tropical
fora, in geology general and in its
branches Of paleontology and mineralogy,
in zoology, and in engineering in all its
branches.
Judge J. NJ. Stout stated that be ex.
hibited one hundred and twenty-six varie-
ties Of fruits and vegetables raised by
himself at the Yakima fair.
The arguments were geographically
reported by Miss Dunning for the benefit
Of the commission.
In the evening Of Wednesday supper
was rendered the gentlemen Of the COM
mission, under the direction Of Mr.. Ather-
ton Of the hotel, the pleasures Of which
extended well into the night. Pleasan-
tries Of aiter-dinner toasting served well
to follow the afternoon arguments and
left no time to drag-nOne too much, in
deed, for sleep.
On Thursday morning carriages again
came around and took all hands across
the river to see the big Mckee ranch
then lunch at the hotel, and on board
the train for Pasco.