Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1896 [PAGE 187]

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190

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

From the foregoing I do not wish to be understood as saying that we have more than the needed equipment in our several departments. We have more "than we need in some lines and far less in others. There is no duty connected with University administration which calls for more deliberation and sound judgment; for more of expert knowledge on the one hand and of general knowledge on the other, for more of both department enthusiasm and general University conservatism, than the duty of purchasing materials for equipment.

A. S. DRAPER,

President. T h i s s t a t e m e n t w i t h r e g a r d to a p p r o p r i a t i o n s was referred to t h e C o m m i t t e e on F i n a n c e , a n d later d u r i n g t h e session of t h e B o a r d was r e p o r t e d back w i t h t h e a p p r o v a l of t h e C o m m i t t e e , a n d t h e r e u p o n t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s were adopted, a n d t h e a p p r o p r i a t i o n s a s k e d for were m a d e . T h e B o a r d t h e n a d j o u r n e d to meet at 7:30 o'clock p . m.

E V E N I N G SESSION.

W h e n t h e B o a r d m e t p u r s u a n t to a d j o u r n m e n t , t h e C o m m i t t e e on B u i l d i n g s a n d G r o u n d s p r e s e n t e d t h e following r e p o r t :

THE NEW LIBRARY BUILDING.

URBANA, I I I . , December 10, 1895.

To the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. GENTLEMEN: The Committee on Buildings and Grounds makes the following report in regard to the proposed library building in compliance with the following resolution, adopted by the Board of Trustees on the 19th of September last: "Besolved, That the design submitted by Edward G. Bolles for a library building be referred to the Committee on Buildings and Grounds with directions to secure the cooperation of Governor Altgeld, and then advise with Mr. Bolles touching some modifications of the design, and that such Committee have authority to contract with said architect for plans and specifications .and for supervision of the construction of the building, if in their opinion he has judgment and experience to justify his employment in that capacity, and if not, to make such other arrangements for architectural assistance and for the erection of the building as they may think proper; and that the Committee shall then proceed to secure bids for the construction and make a contract therefor, which shall be as favorable to the University as possible, and report all proceedings to this Board whenever practicable." The Committee went to Springfield for the purpose of securing the cooperation of Governor Altgeld and also to advise with Mr. Bolles, as instructed. The mterview with Mr. Bolles, which first took place, resulted in his declaring that he was inexperienced in the construction of buildings, and that without assistance he would be unable to carry into execution the design for the library building which he had presented, and which received tne approval of the Trustees as to the choice of the premiated designs that had been submitted under the call; whereupon it was stated to Mr. Bolles by the Committee that his design, specification, and estimated cost being as complete as lie could make them the interview might be terminated. But Mr. Bolles then introduced a gentleman as a partner who had been a practical constructor, and thereupon claimed that with his assistance he would be quite able to construct the building satisfactorily. The Committee not deeming it advisable to allow Mr. Bolles to select for them a constructor, and because of their further instructions from the Trustees to consult with Governor Altgeld, declined to consider Mr. Bolles' suggestion and terminated the interview.