The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-10
EERE ii 49, oPENTNG.


in that direction is made possible by the
viii of the late Eliza Chrisman, but the
provisions of that will and the compe-
tition that exists even among educa-
tional enterprises, demands that con-
certed movement must be made by the
people Of the city and the state in order
that the possibilities may be realized.
Topekas rival in educational matters
is Lawrence by reason of the location Of
the State University. With the excep-
ton of that institution there is no ed
ucational institution in the state with
the endowment the equipment. the ex-
tensive curriculum and the enrolment
to equal that of Washburn college.
Washburn now has a location, buildings
and equipment valued at S45O.000 and an
endown ent of $50, 900. BY the requests
of wills the college is at some future
time to come into possession of endow-
ments to the amount of over 100000.
The viii of the late Charles Boswell, of
Hortford, Conn, probated 10 years ago,
leaves $14500 as an endowment to
Washburn which shall be available upon
the death of a living heir Washburn
has valuable lands and other endow-
ments promised which at some time not
far distant, viii bring the endowment
Of that institution close to the 100000
mark. Washburn today, not consider
ing the funds yet to be available, leads
the other colleges of the state and there
are few in the west on as good a fnan-
cial basis.
Now the opportunity presents itself
for the founding a university in To-
peka that will include IN its branches,
departments not all to be found in any
other one institution. BY the provisions
OF Mrs. Chrisman's VIII it is to be a
Methodist university, but it should in
no way be looked upon in the light of
sectarianism, but as a matter which
concerns the public as much as the
church. The project should receive the
support of all The limitations of the
idea should not be one particular church
nor Topeka, but state wide at least.
and encouraged by the people.
There is no danger of Kansas having
too many educational institutions. The
people and the state can well afford to
make any donations or requests, contin-
gent upon the raising of like amount.
available under the conditions. Ad-
vaneement in educational work and IA
cilities will do as much for the state
and city as large crops and good times
The realization of the Methodist uni
versity idea means the Improvement and
charging of a field of study in Kansas
that is. as yet, hampered by lack of
funds. The suggestion has been made
that the proposed university tncorpor-
ate in its departments such institutions
as the Kansas Medical college, the
Homeopathic school and other smaller
schools and colleges. This would mean
that the n edical college. which is doing
good work and has grown slowly upon
it's merits and its means. would receive
the impetus and aid necessary to make
it the equal Of many Of the larger
schools of medicine.
There is no place better adapted for a
law school in the west than Topeka.
+ With the state law library, the state.
federal and local courts, the lawyers OF
/ note and numerous other advanta ges It
! could be successful from the start.
+ There are advantages for a dental col
lege that would warrant its beginning.
! There is demand for instruction in the
higher branches of art, music and the
/ sciences. So far the state is without an
institute of technology or a polytechnic
school. These are among the possibili-
ties of the Methodist university.
There are especial reason why the
citizens of Topeka should lend their
support and energies to the building OF
/ the university Topeka is now credited
/ with one of the best public school sys-
TENS in the country. The course is to
be supplemented by the addition of q
/ manual training high school, If the de-
sire of the board of education is carried
out. Such a school would be excellent
as the training department for a poly
technfc institute With Washburn and
the medical colleges and Bethany coli
lege for girls. the city should pride it.
self upon the educational facilities ane
keep in the lead.
From the standpoint of the business
man and merchant universities anG
colleges increase trade and business
Washburn has 32S students Say tha'
they spend on an average $3.50 a term
for living and other expenses, which /:
a low estimate, and that means $50 00
a year in circulation In the city. Anoth.
er point for the business man. College.
and universities keep at home a certain
number of students who would go else
where were there no such institution.
at home From the plain matter Of dol
lars and cents the commercial interests
OF the city will find it to their advant
age to aid the university.
The Commercial club might as vel
aid the university as to work for tn,
location of the Santa Fe shops or othei
business enterprises. It is a worthy idea
Let the people of Topeka and Of Kansas
prompted by the ideas of advancement
give shoulders to the Methodist univer
sity that the hope of Mrs. ChrismaI
may be realized. The hope that Their
should be university in Kansas equa
to the best.