Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/210

 i8o A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO to pay them. He cannot dally with them either. He is in much trouble, and this is why I am so prompt with this report The Trustees are sur- passing my reasonable expectations in generosity, fidelity, capacity for growth, absorbing interest I confess to a little anxiety lest they shall push out into miry foundations. But so far I must admit that time has justified them as against me They have subscribed or paid about a hundred thousand dollars this year, new money. They are growing. Ryerson was right, and I was wrong on the site question. You see the thing is growing and spreading out in every direction, beyond my dreams Two buildings are now going up, a dormitory .... and a recitation hall Several other buildings from individuals are in prospect and not yet formally secured, some of these are certain, others doubtful There are no funds in sight for even a little apparatus for the professors' classrooms There is no provision, except students' fees, for modern books in any of the departments. The graduate student can do very little without them There is no provision for heating, lighting and janitorial service in the recitation building. Nothing for clerks, bookkeepers, secretaries, office rental, and the various and manifold expenses of administration In round numbers the institution ought now to have the promise of two million dollars or income from same beginning October i next It is my profound and unalterable conviction that, if your funds will admit, you will not be able, at any later time, to reap the mani- fold and various profits now likely to be secured by now offering, at once, the sum of two million dollars or the income thereof (principal to be pledged), to be operative October i next. Mr. Gates advanced ten arguments to justify his report and appeal for this great contribution. Here are some of them: This sum is actually required to meet the certain demands of the first year. This is the fundamental reason. All others are subordinate and collateral. It will secure, or rather remove, the difficulties in the way of securing some men we want difficulties in their minds, and in our treasury also. It will give an immense impulse in the way of buildings here, closing up speedily some deals and opening others. It will remove from Harper a load that is fairly crushing him to the earth. It will enable us to open in some degree commensurate with public expectation. It will justify the brave men who have consented to come on faith, and silence the gainsayers. The various subsidiary and collateral gains of an immediate pledge are so great that they ought not to be neglected for whatever scenic advantages a pledge at the open- ing might give to the University. Moreover, the men cannot be secured unless we know now that there will be funds to pay them Finally, in justification of Harper, Northrup, Goodspeed, and all of us, let me say that none of us dreamed at the first of the magnitude of the opportunities, the promise, the occasion. It has grown on our wondering eyes month by month.