Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/143

 THE FIRST PRESIDENT 115 talked of, for seventeen months. As they had not mentioned the matter to him he thought it possible that, in view of his closing with the Yale propositions, they might have considered some new man. His readiness to reopen the case was a tremendous relief to those most interested. Mr. Goodspeed wrote him at once: Your letter of June 4th has given me much pleasure. The questions you ask I will answer frankly. i. I hear no one seriously proposed for President except yourself. Of course names are lightly and foolishly bandied about But no one has ever been named with any seriousness but yourself. No one is in the field, to my knowledge. 2. Gates feels just as I do. 3. I have always supposed Mr. R. would wish you to take the place, but I have no information in regard to his present views I am anxious that you should hold your mind open on the subject. Come and get acquainted with the Board You speak of the necessity of a "practically unani- mous feeling on the part of those interested." Don't you know there will be scores of candidates and that their friends will not be unanimous for anyone? What I want is a unanimous Board, who will lay violent hands on the one man for the place and not take No for an answer. Mr. Gates was not slow in letting Dr. Harper know where he stood. On June 9, 1890, he wrote: You are the only man I have ever seriously thought of for that position. I stand where I have always stood. The wonder is that you should seem to doubt me. What have I done that you should now inquire of Goodspeed where Gates stands, you rascal? You will always find me, old fellow, just where I was the last time you met me. Count on that. I have not talked with you much about the matter lately because I have been bent double with a load of anxiety as to whether any presidency would be possible That you will be offered the presidency I have not a doubt. On July 9, 1890, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the new institution was held. Dr. Harper was a member of the Board and was present. Among the committees appointed was one on the nomination of a President and the organization of the University. From this meeting Dr. Harper went to his summer work at Chautauqua. Mr. Gates and Mr. Goodspeed showed him the site, which he had not seen, and laid on him once more the duty of accepting the presidency which was certain to be offered to him.