Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-07

the contrary, their kindly deeds on behalf
of the higher education of young men shine
out all the more resplendently against the
dark background of general indifference. l
desire on behalf of the institution to assure
them that all that they have done is remem-
bered with grateful appreciation. Nor do
wish to insinuate that there is any lack of
true generosity among my fellow-citizens,
whom love and honor. If the great and
wealthy community in which we live has
not done much to promote the cause OF
higher education in its midst 1t has not
been the result of lack OF benevolence, but
rather of an oversight, and failure to
Justly appreciate the magnitude of the
necessities and the opportunities which are
before them. Least OF all has 1t been my
purpose in anything that have said to cast
slight upon the faithful and self-denying
labors of my honored predecessors in office.
In this matterI greatly regret that have
been, perhaps unintentionaily, misrepre-
Sented.
To cut a long story short, the Western Uni
versity of Pennsylvania did not receive dur
ing the term of office of Prof. Wood SJO0,GO0
for buildings and endowments. The total
assets of the institution to-day, at very
liberal estimate, and including the late be-
quest of Mr.. Thaw, portion of which. ac-
cording to the terms of his Will, have not yet
come into our possession, do not amount to
more than $50 900. The finances of the insti-
tuition have been well cared for They have
been Mn IN charge Tor years past OF snen S men men
per, Charles j. Clarke, Hon. Felix Brunot, j.
b. Scott and Reuben Miller, gentlemen of
unimpeachable integrity and unquestioned
financial skill Finally, the Chancellor sub
mits, he hopes with becoming modesty, the
simple proposition that he probably is in as
good a position 20 know the actual facts us
any of his critics, who have shown that
their memories are sadly at fault, and that
it is not well to rely upon curDStone
opinions passed thoughtlessly Mt the
moment by those who have not access to
documentary evidence.
Chancellor Hollands Chief Wish.
NY present wish is, SO soon as possible, to
secure the necessary amount to carry for
ward to full and perfect completion the
effort to create in connection with the Uni
versity a great and prosperous technical
and industrial school, the foundations Tor
which have already been SO happily laid
under the care of my immediate predecessor,
the honored and lamented Chancellor Goff.
l have already the promise or substantial
help in this direction, conditioned upon the
raising of at least $4,000 for this purpose,
and it seems to ME with the right to appeal
to the generosity of the 100000 inhabitants of
this state of Allegheny" as Mr.. Lincoln
used to call our county, and with the knowl-
edge that there are found here accumula-
tions of wealth, aggregatng S40O, 900, 600, there
ought to be no inSuperable obstacle i'll the
way of the attempt. In its prosecution
shall have to rely upon the good will not of
the few. but of the many, and trust shall
answer those who upon the basis of idle
surmise, rush to false conclusions.
amSy very truly yours,
Chancellor Western University.
July 6, 1891.