Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/76

 50 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO from one o'clock to half-past three in reference to the presidency of the new University. He insists very strongly, .... [that Dr. Harper should be ready to take the presidency] but I think I have satisfied him in reference to the matter. I do not want to be handicapped in my efforts with Mr. Rockefeller with any personal feeling, and it is better for me to think and believe and feel that I am to have nothing to do with this University and that my work for it is purely out of love for the thing itself. I am sure you will agree with me. His correspondent certainly did not agree with him, but believed with Mr. Gates that Dr. Harper was the one man for the presidency. While these interesting and important letters were being received from Dr. Harper, Mr. Goodspeed had been in frequent communica- tion with Mr. Gates, the secretary of the Education Society. In a letter received from him on December 14, 1888, he says, "I think Mr. Rockefeller is now waiting to hear the voice of the denomina- tion." Although Mr. Gates had not then met Mr. Rockefeller it turned out that he was quite right in this supposition, as will appear. On December 28, 1888, Dr. Harper wrote Mr. Goodspeed a long letter, the following quotations from which are of interest: Two weeks ago I wrote to Mr. R. and indicated that I should be pleased to see him on the following day when I should be in New York. He did not answer my letter, and I felt sure that something had happened. I determined yesterday, being in New York, to sift the matter. I went to his office. He was very glad to see me. Naturally enough, my first question was, "What progress in reference to the Chicago matter?" His words were briefly as follows: "I have made little progress in reference to the Chicago affair. My wife has been sick and I have been very anxious about her. My time has been taken up with the consideration of petitions which have come from every source. .... The demands are growing more and more, greater and greater. Besides you cannot imagine how many people have felt called upon to volunteer their opinions in reference to the Chicago matter. You would be amazed to know the peculiar statements of many who have called to see me. I keep my ears open and am hearing everything. The character of the material which comes to my knowledge is quite varied and is not all favorable. Mr. thinks that nothing but a College is needed at Chicago. I find a good many who think thus, but I am so tired that I have not really strength to consider this matter. .... Still the thing is on my mind, and I want to hear more about it," etc., etc. This was in general the tenor of his talk. You will see exactly how the matter stands. It transpired before the interview was over that an attempt had been made to injure Dr. Harper in Mr. Rockefeller's eyes, and that