The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-27
THE NEEDS OF DE PAW
FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY DIS
CUss IT'S FUTURE PROSPECTS.
Mr.. Mason's Discussion of the FL
nances of the Institution-Hovv to
Meet the Deficit.

dred lay and ministerial members of the
alumni of the university from various sec
tons of the State are in attendance. Pre-
ceeding the public meeting last night there
was a meeting of the trustees, but it was
said no business of public interest was
done. Charles w. Smith. of this city, pre-
sided at the public meeting. Augustus L.
Mason, also Of indianapolis, made a report
on the present financial condition and the
present needs Of the university. Some of the
authorized statements made by Mr.. Mason
proved surprising to those who heard them.
Bishop Bowman said after Mr.. Mason spoke
that he was surprised to hear that there is
only about 100000 in the endowment fund.
as he himself had raised more than that.
He could not imagine what had been done
with the money.
In his report Mr.. Mason said:
ITO discuss in public the financial condi-
ton or an institution Is delicate matter.
Yet believe that De Paw University IS
strong enough to bear frank treatment and
thorough examination.
The assets of the university consist Of
the plant at Greencastle, free from incun-
brance, which represents an investment OF
real estate outside of Greencastis have
cash value of over 10000. Within i've or
ten years the university IS entitled to re-
ce1Ve from the estate Of w. &. de Pauw
40 per cent. of the proceeds Of real estate
sales which should yield the university
$4,000. These assets, present and prospect
lars. The institution is practically free
from debt Such an institution, with its
assets, is worth saving, as a mere business
proposition.
''trhe great weakness of De PAW Unlver-
sity is deficiency OF income. The college
over SiOO OGO yields almost nothing, because
Its income is almost entirely absorbed by
life annuities, which the university is under
obligation to pay. The De PAW bequest
will not be received and made productive
FOR number of years. Therefore the uni
versity income from student fees and
church contributions does not meet annual
expenses, but leaves deficit of over $15,-
OO0 every year. For thirty years the in
come of the university has been INSULT
the annual deficits are estimated at $250,O00.
They have been paid in part out of the
fixed funds Of the university, received as
gifts, but not strictly and legally tied up
as endowment, and in part by a specific
legacy of 100000 from the estate of w. G.
De Pauw. This legacy of 100000 has now
been exhausted.
THE question then recurs: How shall we
provide for an annual deficit of from $10,-
present endowment, small as it is? To this
answer, NO" because we have no moral
right to do 50, and it involves the ultimate
death of the university. The present board
the policy of preserving the present en-
dowment. Shall we go in debt and mort
the endowment funds? This would consti-
tute corporate suicide. Shall we cut down
the expenses of the institution? A careful
examination of the university disbursements
discloses the fact that while some small
economics are possible, and will be under
taken, there can be no reduction In the
stantial amount. The fact is that the pro-
fessors of De Paw University do more
work and furnish higher quality of in
struction for the money which they receive
than any class of men that ! know of IN
this country The only resource left, there
fore. for De Paw University is for the
Methodist Church and the alumni to give 10
1t an annual contribution of $4,000 or 500
900 a year. The vice chancellor, DR.. w. II.
ing a so-called sustaining fund, which is
designated to meet the current deficit for
the next five years. in order to keep the
university open and free from debt.
But to my mind these annual appeals
from De Paw University weary the peo-
pie and do not cure the disease. We must
go deeper. There should be provided by the
Methodists of Indiana and by the alumni
an endowment of half a million dollars In
cash: The management of this fund should
be placed in the hands of the best trustees
possible to be procured, who should invest
It., keep the principal sacred and pay over
all income each year to the university. The
fact is that the wealth and population of
Indiana is so great as to make sum OF
this mount really a trife.
I'm Lewis CarrolPs Alice in Wonderland
you will remember that Alice remarks to
her guide that she is nearly out Of breath
with running, and yet, said she, We don't
seem to get anywhere The guide an
swered: Oh we have been running to keep
UP with where we are
THAT illustrates very well, to my mind
the necessities of the time in which we live
1t is not sufficient to hold our own. The
growth of population and the progress or
our State and its people is so rapid that
1t requires constant growth to maintain our
relative position in the race of life. An in
stitution which does not grow. but simply
holds it's own, is certain to drift to the
hpPaIlga world does stand
Time and tide, men and institutions Will
pass US rapidly in the race. To stand where
rear rank. De PAW University, in order
to hold her relative rank in the State, with
out improving it, must grow and expand
1t may be for future generations to improve
her relative situation in Indiana, but 1t is
our task. at least, to see that we hand over
lost ground during the time that it has
been intrusted to our care"
Charles F. Coffin followed Mr.. Mason with
discussion of the true educational sphere
of De PAW University. DR.. Henry J. Tai
bolt spoke of the present duty of the alumni
of the university to their alma mater He
emphasized the fact that the students who
attend De Pauw receive great advantages
for which they make no adequate return
in the way of large tuition fees, and he
looked upon it as their duty to repay the in
stitution in devotion and loyal support for
the advantage they had received.
DR.. Charles K. Payne and Bishop Bow
man also spoke earnestly in favor of doing
something to establish the university on a
firm footing. DR.. Payne was formerly con-
nected with Ohio Wesleyan University. This
institution last year expended $500 for each
student. He contrasted this with the small
per capita cost of maintaining De PAW
Bishop Bowman emphasized the fact that
students of De Paw receive free tuition
The small amounts they contribute for in
cidental expenses do not in any wise equal
what students pay in other institutions he
said. If they paid tuition. the university
would be on a self-supporting basis. The
consensus of the evening was that the
Methodists of Indiana who believe in the
necessity for an institution of higher learn
Ing where religious instruction may be given
cannot afford TO have De Pauw's usefulness
cut off, and that they will doubtless aid in
keeping it at work when its needs are laid
before them.
There will be sessions to-day at a. M,
2 p. m. and 7:30 p. m. Some plan will doubt
less be advanced for raising the annual
maintenance fund suggested by Mr.. Mason
Glee Club in the evening.
DR.. Henry j. Talbot offered the following
resolution last night:
I'VE are proud of the history of De Pauw
| University. We are heartily In sympathy
| with her mission. We deplore the depress-
| ing and often false reports that have had
| circulation regarding her affairs, and pledge
| her our cordial support in the future"
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Students Raise $1,000.