Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-12

University VINO are interested IN music,
and substantial contributions, in addi-
ton to those we have already received,
have been promised by persons whose
public spirit is well known. No special
benefits will accrue to the members OF
| the Board of Regents from its pur-
chase, any more than from the purchase
of any other new addition to the equip
ment of the University; but there will
be substantial benefits, direct and in
direct, to all the students in the Uni
versity, both present and future; for
it will enable us to make the chapel
| and other public exercises far more
attractive and beneficial. With the or
gan in, we can give frequent organ re-
citals and concerts to our entire stu
dent body, and the result will be
general elevation of the taste and char
acter of every student in the institu-
tion
8. 1t is not true that the University
authorities are building library build
ing which will cost SIPS, 900, or any 9TH
er sum in excess of the legislative ap-
preparation. No contract has yet been
awarded for this or any other building
on account of the appropriations by the
last Legislature. We are straining
every nerve to get the very best possible
building for the amount appropriated.
When the appropriation of $4,000 was
made by the Legislature, we were told
by members of both Finance Commit
tees, of both political parties, that al
though there was not enough money
aailable to permit of an appropriation
at that time as large as we asked for
the library building, $4,000 would be
appropriated at that session, and in the
future other appropriations would
doubtless be granted for whatever adj
ditions were required. We are endeav
oring to plan the building in such way
as to get the best possible structure for
the money available now, and to permit
of needed additions in the future if
additional funds become available. At
the August meeting of the Board, the
Executive Committee was authorized to
contract for the erection of a library
building, but specific instructions were
given to contract for no more than
the amount of the appropriation, name
ly, $4,000, and the committee has had
no thought of violating this provision,
and could not if it would.
4. 1t should be remembered that the
University has some income from other
sources than legislative appropriations,
such as interest ON the endowment
fund, tuition fees, and grants from the
federal government. The entire in
come of the University is entrusted to
the Board of Regents, to be used for
the best interests of the University.
Part of the University funds, altogether
separate from legislative appropria-
tions, has been used to purchase some
land adjacent to the University
grounds. This land was much needed.
Some of it was absolutely necessary
for the location of the new buildings,
and other portions of it will be abso-
lutely necessary for the erection of
buildings that must inevitably be
erected in the future. The University
grounds are comparatively small, and
are cut up by ravineS in such a way
that it is exceedingly difficult to find
an available site for the construction of
so important a building as the library,
for example. There is almost no level
space on the whole campus. The land
in question was necessary for another
reason also, namely, to prevent its pur-
chase by private parties who would
have constructed dwelling houses on
it, and thus precluded the University
from securing it in the future. If this
land had not been secured, the whole
future of the University would have
been cramped, and its usefulness seri-
ously impaired. The land has been
secured to the University by the pay
ment of sum of money altogether in
dependent Of legislative appropria-
tions. If the Legislature declines to
appropriate funds to complete the pay
ment, the land can readily be disposed
of by the Board at a profit; for it is
exceedingly desirable land, and is in
creasing in value very rapidly. If the
Board had not secured this land, and
so prevented it from passing perma-
nently out of the reach of the Univer-
sity, severe criticism would have been
justifable.
5. 1t has been the custom for years
to have the University represented at
the annual meetings of few of the
more important educational associa-
tons. At the April meeting of the
Board of Regents, without any request
or recommendation either on my part
or on the part of Director Stewart, the
Board passed an order instructing the
President of the University and the Di-
rector or the Experiment Station to
attend as representatives of the Uni
versity and the Experiment Station,
the annual meetings of the National
Educational Association and the Asso-
citation of American Agricultural Col
leges and Experiment Stations, both of
which met this year in California The
order provided for the payment of ac-
tual travelling expenses. | was on the
program and gave addresses before
both associations, and went solely be-
cause the Board had instructed me to
go. My expense account, fully item
lied, was submitted in the usual order
of business, and paid, as was the case
with the expense account of the Direc-
tor of tho Experiment Station. As
special precaution, and because | did
not like to certify my own account, I
presented my itemized expense account
to the President of the Board, who is
ex officio Chairman of the Executive
Committee, and it was by him certified
! for payment, though this is not re-
CURED by the Board.