Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 264]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

265

educational work which most directly affect the life of the people. I t does not seem to me advisable t h a t a state university should be encumbered with the management of industrial enterprise's, except so far as the same may be essential to educational ends, but rather t h a t it should continually engage in scientific research and experimentation to the end t h a t it may disseminate the latest scientific information upon the employment of the people. Complete, preparation in the secondary schools must be exacted in order t h a t the tone of its scholarship shall not suffer, and to make sure t h a t its operations shall not be clogged by the presence of unprepared material. Aside from this it should extend a welcome and give greeting to both sexes and all classes, and it should train for manly and womanly character, for intellectual power and versatility, and for influence upon and success in the practical affairs of life. I am informed t h a t you sought me out and have tendered me the great honor of the presidency of your University, because you desired an administrative officer who had had some experience in organizing and articulating public educational work, and because I had to some extent become representative of the views and tendencies I have just indicated. Upon this basis acceptance is possible if I can make myself feel equal to t h e responsibility which is involved. The uninterrupted tenure of office, immunity from the demoralizing influences of recurring political contests and from the exigencies and demands of partisan politics; your assurance of support in the selection of instructors, as well as your assurance of support to the faculty in all matters touching the internal organization and operations on the instruction side of the University administration, and the entire liberty of personal movements which you accord to me so long as the University prospers, and reaches forward to the attainment of its ideals, afford a broad opportunity for marked success and for t h e credit and honor which accompany success in great enterprises, or for conspicuous and lamentable failure. These things lend attractiveness to the exalted position and would challenge the best and highest efforts of the most ambitious. A sufficient time has elapsed since the announcement of your action to develop any criticisms or antagonisms of any kind. If there have been any, I have not heard of them. On the contrary, the expression of opinion in the secular and educational press has been all t h a t could be desired, and the numerous communications which have come to me from the educational leaders of Illinois, urging my acceptance, have touched 'me deeply. I have had a struggle over the matter, for I already have associations and alliances t h a t can not easily be severed. I have hesitated, for I have apprehensions of my inability to meet your expectations. But I thank you for the manifestation of your confidence and -hereby announce my purpose to enter upon the exalted position to which your honorable board has elected me, with the determination to justify your action so far as it is possible for me to do so. I am, Sir, very sincerely yours,

A. S. DRAPER.

The board then went into executive session to consider the resignation of Professor Morrow, which resignation was accepted, to take effect September 1, 1894. The resignation of Professor McMurry was accepted, to take place August 1, 1894. On motion of Governor Altgeld, it was voted t h a t the secretary of the board be directed to prepare a statement of the special advantages of this University, the statement to be signed by the president of the board of trustees, and copies to be sent to all male teachers of the state and to others interested in education. The sum of $1,000 was appropriated for this purpose.