The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-28

} alton at the university was organized
; about a year ago. Inspired by tn
example of Yale, Princeton, Cornell
, University Of Iowa, Dartmouth ant
other leading universities, which hav
/ recently erected handsome colleg
association buildings, and i'm
/, pressed with the necessity o
having such a building in order to ac
cOmpish the best results it was de
cided several months ago, to begin ;
building movement.
THE FIRST STEP.
The first step was to secure the sane
ton of the board of regents to the EN-
terprise and obtain from them a site
on the campus. For this they have
been waiting until the January meet,
ing Of the board. Monday informa
ton was received that although finaI
action had not been taken upon the
petition of the students for site, that
the committee on buildings and
Sites" to whom it had been
referred, had reported favor.
ably. On the strength OF
this assertion mass meeting of the
students was called for yesterday aft
ernoOn at 3:15 in the assembly hall.
| Dodgers were scattered over the main
building in the morning, notices were
given and the meeting thoroughly adj
vertised so that large body of stu
dents gathered in the the afternoon.
THE MEETING.
The meeting was called to order by
the president of the Young Mems
Christian association, Mr. ID. A. Pen
nick, who stated the object of the
meeting, and then called on Col. Sim
kins to state what was to be expected
from the board of regents.
Col. Simkins made very en-
thusiastic and inspiring address
assuring the students of his hearty
sympathy, cooperation and endorse
ment, aud promising them that they
should have the site. In speaking of
the way in which the enthusiasm of
the students in this matter contrasted
with the name which some maligners
Of the University would have the
State believe the character of the
students were, the Colonel grew
quite eloquent and elected the APP
plause Of the whole audience. He
also spoke of the permanent influence
such building as was contemplated
would have upon the University and
upon the State.
SOME ENDORSEMENT.
After Colonel Simkins' address DR..
Wooten arose and said he wished to
endorse most heartily all that that
had been so beautifully said by his
colleague. He added in addition
some words of Encouragement.
The next speaker was Doctor Wag-
gener, the chairman of the faculty,
who said although the faculty had
had no meeting to discuss the build
ing of the Association hall and he
could not represent the whole faculty
in the matter, he desired to say some
wordsfor himself. He believed thehigh-
est purposes of the University would
be furthered by such building; he
believed the developing of higher
type of manhood was the object which
the University had always had in
view, and that a Young Mems Christ
ian Association building would mate
rally aid in this. That although
sos, 900 seemed large amount he
thought the people of the state would
in Texas as they had done in other |
states. After these addresses others
were given by Mr.. Brockman, inter.
national secretary of the Inter COllegi- |
ate Y. M. G. A.; Mr.. Etler, chairman |
of the building committee, and Mr..
Fred Opp in behalf of the law class.
DOWN TO WORK.
After calling business meeting of
the association the mass meeting adj
ourned. 1t was in this business meet
ing that the subscription was begun.
After the report of the building COM
mitttee it was unanimously agreed
TO open the canvass at once. There
were only So members present, but in
q very short time 81, 100 was subscrib-
ed. There was no excitement about
this, no applause, but quietly and
each man arose and stated
what he felt he could give by close
and selfdenial.
Many who gave literally can eX-
Dect no help from their parents but
will make it during vacation. The
books will probably not
Dc opened to the faculty and friends of
he institution for several days, but
he students will be given chance
o subscribe today.
The plan is 30 erect building cost
ng not less than SIS, 900.
COMMENDABLE ENTHUSIASM.
The enthusiasm with which the stu
Tents have taken hold of this move
nent shows the great good which
hey expect to come from it. The ex-
,erience of every university which {
las had one proves that their appre-
iation of such building is not I'M {
1t will serve as a home for s
he students, binding them closer to-
ether. Its gymnasium will provide |
Or physical culture, and it will also {
did wonderfully to the broadening {
nd intensifying of the religious life S
nd activity.
STILL IT GROWS.
An account was given in yesterdays !