Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-11-09
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what the University owes COuplnnd
OMAHA. Nov. S--To the Editor OF The
Bee: Now that the question Of university
removal has been settled, | think we ell
agree that leaving such a matter 10 a
referendum was n misuse Of the elective
franchise. II IL safe 10 say that not 6
per cent OF the votes cast were based
upon fair understanding OF the ques-
ton. Thousands OF voters never even
heard OF a university and do not under
stand the meaning OF the word.
Can anybody doubt that II the question
20 abolish the State university altogether
were put 90 such referendum vote what
the probable result would BET
Removal to the farm campus was de-
feated because OF the supposed cost to
the taxpayer. on that argument you have
only TO show the people Of Nebraska that
less than per cent OF the school popula-
tlon attends the State university. and
that the state university uses up about
one-third OF tho taxes OF the state. The
farmers Of tho state might save the ag-
ricultural college, but there would be
nothing left OF the colleges on the down
town campus.
However, as result OF the agitation
for removal the State university Is In
debted 10 Regent George COPELAND Of FL
gin. Neb., for s2,5OO.OOo that we now have
for q physical plant The majority Of
the Board OF Regents considered II an
irldescept dream and a risky proposition
TO ask for any such sum, in view OF the
fact that past experience showed that no
legislature had been willing to appropri-
ate more than $4,000 at one time for
buildings. 1t was contended that asking
for a building fund OF 81, 900 might re-
suit I'm no appropriation at all, but with
the courage OF his convictions, Regent
COPELAND worked night and day through
two legislatures at his own cost and at
the expense Of his health to bring about
an appreciation OF the need for large
sum of money for the university.
II was the education that the two legis-
latures received on the question of re-
nloval that made them realize not only
what a great university should be. but
how inadequately we had been provided
with buildings in years past. In the hope
and belief that this money would be spent
TO remove the univoradty TO the farm
the sum OF S2,5O0.Oo0 was ultimately pro-
vded
During his long term as regent Of the
State university, Mr.. COPELAND has each
year gwen SeNefhl olOnAnb OIL MS own
time without expense 70 the state to what
was to him labor OF love. As one of
the leading farmers in Nebraska, in
tensely Interested In tho agricultural de-
velopment OF the state, student and a
scolar. he was peculiarly fitted to and
did render the most valuable service Of
any regent on tho hoard and 1t is a sad
commentary on the state that It allowed
the Lincoln campus committee TO defeat
such man by Misrepresentation and
Islander.
Every friend OF the state university
and especially the agricultural interests
OF the state Of Nebraska will sincerely
regret Regent Coupland's retirement.
Without his untirlng labors, his optimism,
and his personality the sum OF s2,5oooOO
would never have besn appropriated.
know that to him the consciousness OF
having done his duty IS sufficient reward.
but IL will always remain a matter OF
regret to his many friends that the cause
nearest his heart, the desire to build up
one great university on the farm cam
pus was defeated by the methods en-
ployed. II. l.. HALLEh