The University

The Univereity bus never been a special favorita of Gov. Luce, and it was not until the last term of office that lie eame to look over the iustitution and investígate ita needs and work. Considering that tact the following reeommendation of his retiring message may be considered extremely favorable: The inany excelleneies and world-wide reputation of this institution have brought to its halls a rapidly increasing number of students. Four years ago it numbered 1,580, and it was then believed, by those most familiar with its workings, that it might possibly in the course of years secure to itself 2,000 students. But now to the surprise of its warmest friends it has under instruction 2,400 ; an increase of 50 per cent. in four years. This condition requires thoughtïul care and wise action on the part of the legislature, as well as the board of regents. We can discover no reason why, if the present policy 8 continued, thisincrease in the number of students may not continue. And if this shall be the case, provisions must be made for their accommodation, if the University maintains its well established reputation. The regenta are, under the circurnBtances, entitled to great credit for the exercise of economy in their estiinates for the ensuing biennial period. They ask for 1891, $100,325 ; for 1892, $97,200, making a total of $197,525. This ig $9,264 less than the appropriations two years ago. It is not easy to see how they can take care of the number of students they now have with anything less than the amount asked for. An appropriation was made two years ago of $50,000 upon condition that the city of Ann Arbor would raise $25,000, for the purpose of erecting a hospital. The building has not been completed, as plans were not agreed upon until some time during last summer. It was very difficult to flnd an architect who could submit plans for the building that would meet the demands within the appropriation. Not only the medical department of the University and the students are interested in this hospital, but many afflicted and unfortunate citizens of the state. In the University hospital they receive the best of medical and surgical txeatment without charge. Counties find it to their interest to send those to the University hospital for treatment who are thrown upon them for support by reason of disease. Wlien the hospital is completed it is expected that the dental department will take posseseion of the present buildings used for the hospital. In this, a wise economy, humanity and the education of medical students, all unite in requiring an early completion of the hospital. There is a limit to the number of students that can properly be educated in a single institution like our University. What that limit is I know not, but I modestly suggest that some change in the policy may possibly be wise. About one-half of the students come from other states ; and it certainly seems to me that an increase in the tuition charged these foreign students will inflict wrong upon no one, although it may possibly, to some extent, check the increased attendance. I cannot believe that it would work harm to the Michigan University. gov. winan's niews. In his inaugural message Gov. AVinans is very brief but very pointed. He says : In submitting their estimates for the next two years, I think the regents of the University have acted in a spirit of the strictest economy. Their request is for $18,000 less than they asked two years ago, and $5,000 less than wasthen granted, vet the needs of the University, owing to largely increased attendance, are necessarily greater and more room and accomuiodations are required. While visiting the institution observation convinced me that utility was the aim in all expenditures and if" the same policy is continued, as Ithink it will be, every dollar you may grant will be carefully and judiciously used. The University of Michigan takes high rank in the educational world, and exerts a powerful influence on the iutellectual life of the state and nation. I commend its interests to your favurable consideratiun.