The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-26
COLLEGE IN REACH
Meeting to Consider Proposed
Methodist University.
Committee From Kansas Confer
ence to Meet Tomorrow.
~
MRS. CHRISTIANS MONEY
win Be at Least 100000 to
Use.
DR.. Embree Discusses the Pro-
posed Project.
MRS.CHRISMAN'S MONEY

SsAS conference tomorrow III AdAASaS
City. to consider matters of Importance
to the Methodist educational interests of
eastern Kansas.
Mr.. Joab Mulvane, of Topeka. is a
member of the COMMITTEES. Among the
other members of the commission are
l. I'll. Murlin Of Baldwin, J. \. Motter Of
Kansas City, w. ID. Rippey of Severance,
I @. D. Walker of Atchison, E. c. Smith
of LeavenWorth J. r. Mcfarland of To-
peka, s. A. Bright of Junction City and
| J. M. Miller of Manhattan.
The question of absorbing interest to-
come before this commission for eonSld-
Methodist college in Topeka. The mat
ter was first brought to the public notice
during the time the Kansas Methodist
conference was in session in this city.
The question was brought to the at
tention of the educational committee
and this subsequent meeting arranged
for. BY the terms of the will of Mrs.
Eliza ChriSman the residue of her estate
is to be turned over to the Methodist
conference to establish a Methodist col
lege in Topeka. 1t is understood that w.
ID. Rippey Of Severance, who made
donation Of $4,000 to Baker university,
stands ready to raise $4,000 to be APP
piled to fund to build a school in To-
peka-
DR. A. S. Embree, q prominent mem
Der of the Methodist church in this city.
was asked whether in his opinion the
building of a university in Topeka was
feasible at this time.
Certainly" he answered ssWhy not?
Business was never so good with so
many people The country has recovered
from the boom period, old debts have
been paid, the banks are full, money is
cheap because it is plentiful and the de-
mand for schools of the higher grade
is in excess of the supply
but is it feasible for the Methodists
to commence such an institution at this
timer he was asked.
II think it not only feasible but nee
essary," he answered. They have in
eastern Kansas one college, only large
enough TO receive one-third of the young
men and women they are sending to
schools, Of the higher grade That in
stitutfOzl does as good work as cdrcuIn-
stances will permit, but 1t is situated
away from through lines of railroads
and is hard to reach; offers but meagre
opportunities In libraries, laboratories,
and the etcetera of an up-to-date COL
lege, and lives a hand-to-mouth life dis
couraging to those who support 1t and
far from pleasing to such as are am
bilious for Methodism. For the Metho-
dists, mind you, in the eastern section
outnumber the Congregationalists, Pres
byIerians. Lutherans and Baptists COM
bined, and yet have the least money de-
voted to educational interests OF any of
them"
Upon being asked If he really meant
this statement he replied that he had
taken the statement from a document
published by DR.. Murlin-
You have spoken of encouragement,
among tn supporters of Baker uriver-
sity," was suggested.
We'll. mean this. There are but few
large contributors to Baker. The preach
ers have been its most faithful friends.
Men who out of salaries amounting to
from three or four hundred up to ten or
twelve hundred dollars have managed
in some way to pay 1T something every
year; have induced others to do so, and
have hunted up and seen to the for
warding of students to the institution.
Nine-tenthS of these are discouraged
and demand something better il it can
be found. Some at least of the large
givers are Of the same mind"
hut how would it be better If a uni
versity should be established here, and
what would become of Baker?'' he was
asked.
a collegiate department. nothing more.
So for that matter, are buildings at VIM
mirably situated to serve the dffterent 10
calities as preparatory schools for those
n mno me- ndeg nennv an invested IN them would
be lost. while a university established on
a 659a re5 Plaa you'd O0eh create ana COM
ssBut where Will the money come from
II am told Y said DR.. Ernbree, ''by whom |
consider competent judges, that the real
man ought to bring from s175.0o0 to $2oo. 900. |
The specific bequests amount to S06, go0 /
that the residue Of the real estate shall |
be used in the founding Of q University |
education in Topeka and throughput the |
state Of Kansas shall furnish dollar for |
VIII the Methodtsfs or topeka do /
ssThe Methodists Of Topeka are not /
Kansas. ana whether It can be done you /
can fudge for yourself when I tell you /
odsist within the eastern half Of the state /
viii aggregate the necessary sum and /
Mrs. Chrisman's VIII directs that the /
residue of her estate shall be invested /
and reinvested for a PERIOD or ten years
makes the raising Of the dollar for dol
lar easy"
mans money would not be available at
once and the university would have to
my answer to that + that IN any event
the Institution would pc handsomA
gamer. not often are thousands 50
available at once, although / have not
given that phase Of the matter very care
full attention. But I think this, the unfe
secure the use Of It at once.
How Do the people generally regard
The peonle have known very little
To'id not now bnf for certain matters
occurring at the recent meeting of the
conference here. I have asked preachers
and business men genefally 70 give me
their candid Judgment on the matter, and
the last misgivIng, If ever had asay, Is
si1rhe preachers want an institution eas-
lly accessible from All paris u the StAle-
Business men want any and everything |
that viii build up the city and viii give
substantial helm to the enterprise. To
put It in a nutshell: This Is a splendid
for Methodisn to get into a
position. and a great chance
for Topeka to increase every moral, IN
tel1ectual and mercantile interest that she
now. possesses
Has the university project developed
any interest among others who have
money - was next asked
YES, it has, and win be heard from
later on
who would get this money provided