Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1892 [PAGE 55]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

58

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

A bill was drawn embodying these points,—1. Giving legislative assent to the purposes of the act of congress referred to, as required by the provisions of the act itself. 2. Appropriating to the University of Illinois all moneys which should accrue to the state under said act prior to July 1, 1893. 3. Directing the Auditor to draw his warrant for said moneys, under the usual requisition from the Board of Trustees, drawn by the President and Secretary. 4. Declaring an emergency, and so making the act operative immediately aiter its passage. Although no committees have been appointed in the House of Representatives, and while those of the Senate, although appointed, have done no business, this bill has been carried through both houses, the Senate passing it finally on the 6th of March, by 46 votes. I see no reason why this money may not be in the hands of the University Treasurer within the current week. Meanwhile I have been called upon by the Secretary of the Interior, through the Commissioner of Education, to make report as to the expenditure of this $15,000, as furnishing the basis of information upon which he may proceed, if this information is found to be satisfactory, to pay to the University the next installment of $16,000. The form of the report asked for indicates very clearly the mind of the Secretary t h a t he must know definitely lor what the money of one installment has been used, or for what use it has been set aside or appropriated, in order t h a t he may judge whether these uses accord with the requirements of the act, before he may take the initiative necessary for the payment of another installment. The only answer which could be made to the inquiries of the Secretary was t h a t no money had yet been received, for reasons explained, and therefore that none had as yet been expended. The situation appears now to be this: The sum of $15,000 will be in the hands of our Treasurer as scon as the needful formalities can be arranged. I t is necessary t h a t this money should be expended, or at least be put in train for expenditure, before the end of the present fiscal year, closing June 30th next, in order that we may procure the order of the Secretary of the Interior for the next installment, admitted to be due to us, whenever he shall be satisfied as to the proper expenditure of the sum now practically in hand. This money is now practically part of the assets for this year, and cannot properly be carried forward into next year; or, if so carried forward, will only prevent the reception of the money which is the regular portion of the next year. The appointment of five additional instructors was authorize:! at the September meeting. Three'of these have been appointed, have accepted their positions, and have been in service since January first. All arrangements have been made for the appointment of another, and the Regent was authorized to complete the appointment when in his judgment the financial situation would admit such a step. I t was not until the 7th of this month t h a t the condition was known to permit the appointment, and I have delayed a few days only, pending the meeting of the Trustees. I hope, however, to be authorized to go on in this matter, so t h a t the new man may be at work at the opening of the spring term. The nomination of a mining engineer, is still not ready. I have excellent recommendations for a gentleman from Colorado, but have not been able to have an interview with him, without which I should not be willing to act. I hope to have such an interview during the present month, and t h a t the place may be filled. Most of the appointments to which I have referred, will net be paid from the Morrill, aid fund, but from other University funds which the proper use of the Morrill aid fund will set at liberty. I t has been shown before, t h a t the University is now paying for the kind of instruction authorized by the law as payable out of this fund, an amount equal to the entire income from the land grant fund of 1862, and the Morrill aid fund. I t will then be proper to set aside to be paid from this new fund so much of professors' salaries germane to the action of the law as, in your judgment, shall be thought best.