The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-14
SEATTLE. WEDNESDAY. AUG. II.
THE NEW UNIVERSITY.

II is more than thirty years since the
state university was located and estsb-
1lshed In the city OF Seattle by act of the
territorial legislature. During the terri
sorIaI period and up TO a very recent date
the existence of tho institution was pre-
carious 10 a greater or less degree. Pa
tronage was measer, appropriations for
its support small. the character of its in
struction of low standard and it's useful
ness as an educational agency limited
and unsatisfactory. In order TO keep its
doors open the original land grant was
peddled out, its future value being but
slightly appreciated. and the receipts
from periodical sales. made in a country
but sparseiy settled, amounted to scarce
~ moro than enough 10 meet current ex-
penses
With the admission OF Washington 10
statehood. the liberal granting OF lands 70
the new commonwealth for state institu-
tons and the subsequent allotment of
100. 900 acres 10 the state university. a
brighter day dawned for that institution
and its advancement In the very recent
past has been as pronounced as ii has
been gratifying. New life has been in
fused into lis control new ideas predom-
mate In It's management. and. with
new men. new means and new meth
DDS in the ascendency. II bids fair to be-
come one Of the great educational insti-
tutions OF the farther West.
by the act OF 1888 the university was
relocated on n tract or go acres at the
Northern limits of the city and in posi-
bilities as location spiendidly adapted
20 the needs of a great institution of
learning the site stands unrivaled by that
of any other in the country. Tho new
building authorized by the same act is
nearly completed and will be ready for
occupancy with tho opening OF the fan
semester. With this opening II can he
said that one period OF tho universitv's
history ends and another of greater and
moro ample promise begins
The annual catalogue has Just been -
sncd. The faculty has been considerably
Increased. many educators OF exnerience
end high repute having been added 70 the
instraeting force. II has evidently been
tho Intention Of the regents and faculty 20
thoroughly reorganize the methods OF
work. TO rearrangs the curriculum in ac-
oovdance with modern collegiate require
ments and 70 marguerite such A system
or advanced instruction as will furnish a
liberal education equally broad as that
now obtained In the higher Institutions OF
the East.
However deeply interested the regents
may have become IN this work of reor-
EsniEins and rebuilding. and however en-
thusiasiic Bnd sanguine as 10 the f,,ture
they may have grown. IL Is not reasons-
HE To suppose that the institution can AZ
a hound attain arSt rank among the nron,-
inent colleges and universities Of tho
country. with but modes, en5ov-r,,,,,
ard dependent upon generous legislature
Tor biennial appropriations. the growth
must necessarily he as slow as its ss-
Nanecment is gradual What iS done NOW
should be well done. 50 that. once res
'aoilsheG on a sure and sound foundation
with opportunities fer expansion As cir
eu'nstanees warrant. is future IS prae-
Ideally assured
The new curriculum provides for twenty
departments Of instruction. with TIE cor.
ferrnS Of nine baccaiaureate and 81,
post graduate degrees. This IS rather
ambitious for beginning. II VII s,-s,..
many people tha; the funds and f.-f,t,,..
rev available are hardly sufficient f,r
establishing at the eutSet an ,nS,t,,,,s,,,
where. in the words % Ezra ,,o~rsf,
Hny student nay ind instruction in any
study" Many OF the departments and DE-
Erees should come as the institution
grows. For this reason :; NAY ~ Though,
that energy IS bslns wasted in attrnptinr
At present 10 confer degrees in s,.,h
branches as letters, law. pharmacy. and
possibly philosophy. II a Thorough arr
aerEradoate course leading % the degrees
Of bachelor ~ arts and science IS nm
vtdea for. with possibly eugineer.ng ard
normal departments. a gooa beginning