The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-12
MEANY'S OWN BILL.
The University Boys Good Work
for His Alma Mater.
HsipsA ~ King County Delegates and
Committees, the Uaiversisy Placed
In 0plooaia Conditiou.

The most sanguins friends Of the Uni
versify OF Washington will b pleasantly
surprised when they learn Of Ill the good
things accomplished for the institution at
the last end Of the legislative session just
closed. Before starting for Olympia the
King county delegation held many meet
ings and 1t the nrst one it was agreed that
al legislation affecting the state univer-
sity would practically b left, % far - the
King county delegation was concerned. in
the hands Of Representative Edmond S.
Meany, who has enjoyed the honor of
being the only graduate from the state
university occupying seats in the
last two legislatures. For . long
time II seemed a. though university
matters were being seriously neglected
but still the good work went quietly on.
When tho deep snow had disappeared
sufficiently the joint committee, consist
ing Of Senators Claypool and Dyer and
Representatives Turpin, Smithson and
Meany, came to Seattle and carefully in
spected matters pertaining to the old
buildings. new grounds. prospects and
needs Of the institution.
Among the most important objects At
tanned during this visit was the original
papers. pertaining to.ths disposition of the
old original land grant. which was prac-
tically all sold for $50 and $l25 an acre
over thirty years ago. Rev. Daniel Bag
ley. now enjoying peace and comfort in
the evening Of his eventfui life, was the
president Of the university commissioners
In 1850, and he has preserved the only copy
Of these old original records, the others
having been destroyed BY fire, to-
gether with other public documents
OF value, many years ago. All these
records are now in the hands Of the board
OF university regents, and the complete
history Of that old grant can now be
traced ~ . result of Mr.. Bagley's care in
preserving those old documents. Nearly
every session of the legislature, territorial
and state. for the last thirty years has
spent more or less time trying to trace up
these vexed questions, but never before
have they been able to solve the problems
before them anywhere near 90 satisfac-
torily as was done this time through the
cooperation of Mr.. Bagley.
After going over ali the points Of interest
connected with the university the joint
COMMITTEES agreed to amend the Meany
bill and recommend its passage. As
amended this bin was enacted. Its pro-
visions are such a. to establish the state
university in the most substantial manner
possible, and in q few years it will GER
tainly be to the Pacific Northwest what
the famous University of Michigan is to
the Middle Northern states.
The new law gives to the university the
vrhnlA NJ b. ~
in township Is north. range east, instead
of 16O acres Of the said section a. was
granted two years ago. The old board of
university land aud building commits
sioners is abolished and the board of uni
versity regents are empowered to 60 ahead
at once with the work Of constructing the
new university buildings. The regents
are required to submit the matter of secur-
ing plans to . contest of all the architects
OF the state, and all the safeguards posi-
bic are thrown about this contest and the
letting Of contracts.
Tuition 10 made absolutely free to all
residents of the state who can pass the
necessary examination or who have gradu-
ated from any of the high schools of the
state.
But the most important feature Of the
law 10 that which assigns 10000 acres of
granted lands for the support of the Uni.
versity Of Washington, At present values
this land is worth an average of $40
an acre, or 100000 for the whole
lot and by careful management this mag
nificent endowment will be many times a.
valuable.
In the general appropriation bill the
state university gets $780, 900 for mainte-
nance and to cover the amount lost by
abolishing the tuition fees, and also $780,
600 to start the new buildings. This lat
ter sum must be paid back when the pres
ent university site is sold.
An emergency clause was passed with
the bill, which will allow the regents to
proceed at once as soon ~ the governor
has signed the new law.
1t was an interesting contest to watch
the travels of mousse bill 40 to its final en- :
actment When all the members except
the appropriation committee went to the
Everett excursion, Representative Meany
was informed that school appropriations
would be considered. He quickly aban-
doned the excursion, and with the aid Of
Representatives Webb and Washburn,
the two King county members Of
tho appropriation committee, the uni
versity requests were granted. The
university bill was then on the preferred
calendar, but many other measures
crowded in from time to time until the last
night. Just before the final struggle for
a harbor line commission bill. the univer-
sty bill was taken up and passed with
only two dissenting votes. Inside Of half
an hour the bill had also passed the senate
and was in the hands oft enroilers.
Each one Of the KING county delegation
and every member of the joint committee
worked earnestly for the enactment Of this
university law, and they received practi-
cally unanimous support from both
houses Of the legislature.
The university Of Washington is now
starting on q new era. and the friends of
the institution will from this time on be
greatly gratified in watching its progress
and development into the greatest educa-
tional institution Of the Pacific North
west.
The educational institutions of this state
have been magnificen;ly endowed by the
government The normal schools have
over $4,000 acres. the agricultural college
40 600 acres, and now the state university
gets 100. 600 acres from the 10000 acres
granted By the enabling act for reform