The San Francisco call., 1899-10-26
PRESIDENT WHEELER'S MES
SAGE.

You have laid upon me a heavy task you
have intrusted with a high responsibility
you have crowned me with opportunity. A
consciousness of my limitations. which
time and experience have made reliable and
definite would have forced the gleam of op-
portuntty into the thick shadow of the task
had not your hearty confidence. which placed
both in my way. called faith TO the seat of
distrust.
If all the pressing needs of the university
were marshaled in array long would be the
list. If the university work is to be main
tanned its present level of efficiency greatly
increased supply of funds for the plain work
of instruction must be supplied from some
source, private public.
Among the demands for the internal devel-
opment of the university none rank in my
estimation with those of the library. Instead
of 20, 900 volumes there ought to be to-day 300,
010. Instead of an income for purchases of
$4,000 there ought to be $780, COO A fireproof
building equipped with seminary rooms on the
largest scale must be provided within the next
three four years.
The newly founded school of commerce en-
ters upon wide and hopeful field. Here OF
all places in the land is the chosen spot for
telligent guides and emssaries of trade
whether trade agents OF private interests
eral Government the public interest Here can
be collected to best advantage data concerning
the condition of markets in the Asatic world
In the field of mining engineering we must OF
course. lead the world In agriculture we must
have the unquestioned best and particularly
in the applications of agriculture 10 non,oloey
and horticulture must have the means of
very decided extension and development beyond
what Is provided. Not only the naked
hills of California, but the whole western
slope Of the continent call for special study of
the forest problem. school OF forestry is an
earnest and instant need The waters that sent
forth the Oregon deserve school of naval en-
gineerine.
The uncertain relations of the various pro-
fessional schools to the body of the university
VIII demand careful attention in the imrne-
date future The university cannot per-
mently lend the use of its name to depart-
ments or institutions which il has no real
control. The whole problem is not so much one
of legality, however, or of control, but one of
thorough cooperation and of the prevention of
duplication in academic work.
The presidency of American university Is
to-day the medium Of communication between
the two main elements which give a university
life and being. The incumbent of the office MS
holding dual relation, is not only subject to
misunderstanding and to the consequent and
common charge of duplicity, but is placed In a
position that is frankly untenable except with
the full confidence and loyal cooperation of
faculty and regents alike At the present stage
of it's development the office In demanding a
sympathy with. too widely sundered points of
view demands almost the impossible and Is the
most difficult position which American society
can call upon a man to fill. All this | have
fully considered. None of this have l CON
ceaied from myself. l throw myself regents
faculty. students fully and frankly and trust
fully upon your loyal support. Without that
am nothing: with that we can accomplish