Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1892 [PAGE 96]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

99

2,000 copies be circulated through the state. Nothing could so surely set at rest certain slanderous accusations which have so constantly been flung at the University, as a circulation of this document. With an abiding faith in the growth and ultimate prosperity of the University of Illinois, to which, for thirteen years, I have given all t h a t I had, might, mind, soul, and strength, and awaiting your farther pleasure, I remain, ever your obedient servant.

SELIM H. PEABODY,

Megent University of Illinois.

At the request of the Board, the following supplementary report was made:

In regard to the legislative appropriations, I would make the following suggestions: 1. As to Furniture. T h a t funds be set aside sufficient to buy 2,000 chairs for the Military Hall. These may cost as much as $5.00 a dozen, and in t h a t case would require $833.33, besides freight. These need not be bought until near the end of the next year. When procured some arrangement must be made for their storage. 2. As to heating Military Hall. The plans have all been elaborated by Professor Woods. I think the boiler, tunnel under street, main steam pipes, distributing pipes and returns, should be put in as planned, using the utmost economy possible. A part of the radiators may be omitted, perhaps, for a time, and it may be t h a t some additions to available funds may be made from current funds. This heat will not be needed before December first, and perhaps not until after New Year's- I would then leave the matter until after the opening of the next college year. There will be then plenty of time. Nothing else depends on this to be delayed by it. The progress of the work will not interfere with students' work, and the whole may continue to be a good object lesson for the mechanical engineers. 3. The barn. For this the appropriation has been severely cut. The matter needs immediate attention. I would recommend the extension of the barn to the full limit proposed—104 feet in length, of the width already begun—and t h a t so much be finished up substantially, with no unnecessary ornaments, and well painted. From the report of the Business Agent, I believe t h a t $1,000 or even $1,500 may be added from the current balance to the $2,500 allowed by the state, and I believe t h a t the larger part of the contemplated improvements can be secured with this money. I would suggest t h a t a committee be appointed to perfect detail plans'and to go forward promptly with the work at cost of barn not to exceed, say $3,500. I t may be t h a t some aid might be had from Experiment Station funds, for the fittings, stalls, etc., etc., to be put inside, but I am disposed to think t h a t we may get through without aid from this source, and should do so if possible. Additional matters, such as sheds, corn-cribs, pig-house, etc., can wait. 4. The new building. The plans for this building are my own, They are the result of study for about five years, in which I have had this on my mind, and of observation at home and abroad. The museum, especially follows what I believed to be the most eligible plan I saw in Europe, in a museum building lately finished in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris. The plans have done so much service, at least, t h a t they have been the necessary basis for the appropriation. I understand, however, t h a t although once approved by every one nearly interested in them, some objections are now raised. I hope t h a t they will be referred to a committee, upon which all interests may be represented, and t h a t the outcome may be a thoroughly good architectural building, fitted for convenient and practical work. Some time will necessarily elapse in preliminaries. I regret t h a t Professor Eicker feels t h a t he cannot give any attention to it. I t will be