The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-17
The Views Of Mr.. Bernon e.
HeIme.
He Believes in the Kingston Hill
Location as the. Best.
And Points Out Possible Errors IN
Presentation Made by The News.

To rHE EDITOR OF THE NEWS;
SRI wrote the letter that / sent you
(not intended for publication, however),
because, after reading that friend OF the
Kingston school had sent a communica-
tion to you without signing his name, l
was afraid that the impression might be
left that most of the friends of the Agri-
cultural College had been crushed beneath
the great mass of matter that has been
appearing in your columns OF late con-
cerning that institution, and that this
one only dared appear in disguise.
Newspapers are very cautious and prop
erly propose to print no anonymous con-
tributions. Would that the public had
the same measure OF protection. great
deal OF matter carries with itself the
weight and prestige of the publication
that prints it, especially il it appears in
its editorial columns, which, if(signed by
its author, might not be given second
thought.
/ think that the difficulty with the
friends of the Agricultural College, how
ever, has been not that that they were
spoken, but that they were embarrassed
because OF their inability TO find out what
there was TO be answered. confess that
that 10 the position am in after looking
over the editorial pages OF The NEWS
since early in April, which numbers
have on file.
After divesting them OF personalities,
ho tad n "a
and imaginary. What has the "Prisoner
of Chillon," details Of a crack in the wall
OF burned building, analysis of atten-
dance, visions or splendor arising from
certain fanclod conditions, including that
of 1000 pupils arriving and departing
daily from West Kingston to at
tend school in that favored
spot, and trains moving in
pairs got to do with this present world?
The facts in the case to one that Is con-
versant with them quiet all apprehen-
sions OF evil. The facts are not, however,
familiar 10 all, and some statements made
In your columns are misleading. For in
stance: the Oft reiterated one that an ap-
preparation had been asked for
$4,000 to rebuild the burned build
ing. Notwithstanding that, April 20,
you have pictures Of two proposed build
inRs, the cost OF one estimated at $50, 1000,
and the other at 5000, which makes
So5, 900 of the $4,000 asked for (the re-
mGining 5000 being for water facilities In
case OF fire, including q standpipe), upon
tA nt Ia Qd
the $4,000 is to rebuild the burned build
ing, when it is $4,000 that is asked for
that purpose, and the plan marked
"proposed college hall' Is the one for
rebuilding the burned building, and is to
stand on the same foundations and is
modification of the original design. The
other building is a necessity and was
contem plated by the board of managers
before the first was destroyed by fire,
and will be required II the State is to have
the benefit of the military instruction
that the United States Government fur
nishes free OF charge to the State. Drills
have to be conducted in all sorts OF
weather, and a proper structure must be
had for that purpose. The Massachusetts,
built for that purpose.
The trouble all arises from the destruc-
tion OF the first building by fire. The
board of management made efforts TO
have the property insured, in which case
the loss would have been met, but found
that the State does not insure its build
ings but carries Its own risks. Why then
.ho,ld ,ot The Gtafa pay ;ta our, lOaa ~
is its own insurance company?
There are some " ho seek TO make cspl-
tai out of calamity and the present
crisis in the affairs OF the college furnishes
m instance. After period of five years
of quiet, the fact OF the desirability of
the present location from actual demon
stration being in the meantime admitted
by many who were originally in favor OF
West Kingston, including some who live
near the railway station, one would sup
pose that that matter was at rest; but no,
Phoenix like, 1T has arisen out of the shes OF
the burned dormitory. The locating of
the institution at West Kingston is not
q new matter. IL has been thoroughly
presented and determined heretofore.
When the school was to be located q leg
lslative committee was appointed for that
purpose. One would infer from your col
umns that IL was done by the real estate
and grocery men OF Kingston. The commit
tee was composed OF representative men,
some who have been the most highly
honored OF this State. They went all
about Rhode Island to examine sites and
did also visit West Kingston, which then
had something definite to offer (it is now
oil In the air), six different locations.
When IL came to making a sci ection, OF