Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-16

an appropriation from the state this
winter. In his message Governor
Shaw recommended liberal appropria-
tions for the agricultural college at
Ames. The institution wants tax of
one-fifth of mill for five years to pro-
vide necessary buildings. On the pre-
sent valuation of the state tax of one
fifth of mill will produce about $55,-
900 annually, or $275,O0O in five years.
But the special building fund tax is by
no means all the Ames people ask. In
addition they want $211,5 for various
purposes. Chief of these, and the de-
mand upon which the greatest empha-
sis is laid, is an addition of $4,000 for
annual support fund. This request is
explained with the statement that the
endowment fund is not so productive
as in former years, because of the re-
duction in the rate of interest. It for
merly was possible to loan all the mo-
ney at per cent. At present large
amount, 100000 is lying idle because
it cannot be loaned at per cent. The
present law makes this the minimum
at. which school funds can be loaned.
Iowa farm mortgages are readily taken
at 5 per cent, and it is therefore inn
possible TO loan the college funds at
per cent. A measure has been .intro-
sduced providing that this money may
be loaned at 5 per cent. The trustees
of the institution complain because the
press and general public misrepresents
the school by referring TO it as the
Agricultural college," The proper
name of the school is the iowa state
college," and it is as much an institu-
ton for the instruction Of the arts,
sciences and mechanics as Cor the in
struction of agriculture. The board of
trustee say there is no need of calling
the school by the wrong name just to
please the farmers of the state; they
don't have to be jollied in this way.
and the institution is misunderstood
by many people because of the misno-
mer.
Altho the past biennial period has
been prosperous one, and the attend
ance has increased materially, the col
lege is represented to be sadly in need
of more buildings and equipments. The
trustees say the facilities of the college
have not been increased in proportion
to the growth of its demands. This is
shown by the fact that there are now
siNty-seven members of the faculty,
while decade ago only twenty-five
were needed. Even at this an appro-
priation of $4,000 is needed to provide
more instructors.
( The board says a building for the
mechanical, scientific and engineering
departments is absolutely necessary, if
the school is going TO maintain its pres
ent standard of work. For this build
ing $150,000. is asked. It is the inten-
ton to make it the home of the me-
chanical, civil, mining and electrical
engineering department. Another $780,
900 is asked for the erection of a resi-
dence for the president, a big stock
barn, and the purchase of stock, which
is said to be greatly needed.
x**
Since Ex-Governor Larrabee an
nounced he would not again accept an
appointment on the state board of
control there has been considerable dis
cussion among those interested in the
board and its operations about the APP
pointment Governor Shaw must make
before the adjournment of the session.
The board was established two years
ago, and the three men who now COM
pose It were not appointed until after
many long and serious conferences be
tween the governor and the members
of the senate. The law provides that
the members of the board shall be rec
commended by the governor and con-
hrmed by the senate. Two years ago
the senator's COVE it out freely that
they would oppose the confrma ton of
men against whom objections were
made.
DR.. Frank c. Hoyt, superintendent of
r M II.
ed about for the position at present
than any one else. He is republican.
which is the first qualification. The
board provides that the board shall be
non-partisan, which is construed to
mean that the majority party shall not
have more than two of the three mem
beers. Judge l.. G. Kline is the pres
ent democratic member, and his term
will continue until two years from
next April. Governor Larrabee is at
present chairman of the board, and has
announced he will not under any cir
cumstances take another appointment.
DIR. Hoyt is an experienced man, and
thisis urged in his favor by those who
want him appointed. This same rea-
son, on the other hand, is urged by
some as an argument against his ap-
pointment. 1t is said that, in common
with the other superintendents, he was
opposed to the board of control idea
from its inception, and that even ii
he has since been converted to it. he
would not be so strong man to the
system as would some other man.
| A. S. Meservey, of TT. Dodge, is an
other person whose name has been
mentioned in connection with the ap.
| pointment. He has been member OF
the legislature and has a large acquain.
lance among men of the state, as well
as strong backing at home, where he
is on excellent terms with the domin.
ant powers of Webster county politics
The name of Senator A. B. Funk, OF
Spirit Lake, has also been mentioned in
this connection. Senator Funk, it is
stated, has not authorized the use OF
his name in connection with the board
of control appointments, and some OF
his friends say he would not accept il
it came his way. He was chairman OF
the ways and means committee in the
senate which reported the board OF
control bill two years ago. His friend.
ship to the board could not be ques
toned for an instant. There is some
proba bility. however. that Gov. Shaw