CALIFORNIA REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. To the Honorable, the Governor of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona: In conformity with Section 13, Article 2499, of the Acts of the Territorial Legislature, requiring from the Board of Regents of the University of Arizona, an annual report of their stewardship, I herewith submit the same: On the 13th day of October, 1887, the Board of Regents entered into a contract for the construction of a building to be known as the "School of Mines" on a forty acre tract of land, situated near the city of Tucson, for the sum of $37,969. The building was to have been completed by the first day of October, 1888, but owing to unforeseen delays and complications, arising from misconstrued laws, the Board has been badly handicapped from a lack of funds, necessitating the cessation of construction from time to time. During the year 1889, but little advancement towards completion of the building was made, but during 1890 considerable work has been done. The second part of the contract, contemplating the hanging and priming of all outside doors, and the hanging and priming of all windows, has been completed, and the two west rooms and the hall of the upper floor have been completed, at the cost of $2,000, though the same has not cost the Territory a dollar. The appropriation made by Congress for the establishment of an Agricultural Experimental Station, in Arizona, was made available in the month of June, 1890. The Board of Control of the Agricultural Station are allowed to use an amount not to exceed 20 per cent. of the entire amount donated, for construction purposes, and they, wisely, we believe, had the two above referred to rooms finished, that they might be occupied at once by the Professor of Agriculture and his assistants. With the amount of funds now in the Territorial Treasury, and what will be paid in during the next few months, will enable the Board to complete the entire building, and it is expected that a "School of Mines" will be opened early in the summer, under the supervision of the Director of Experimental Stations, which can be carried on under this head, without expense to the Territory. The forty acres of land on which the University is situated, title to which is vested in the Territory, is now being plowed and laid out in drives, walks, lawns, and flower beds, and will be beautified and used as an Experimental Agricultural Station. A well has been sunk to the depth of ninety feet and a bountiful supply of water has been developed. A fifteen horse power engine and two ! KARORT OF BOARD KEBORT OF BOARD of regents. pumps, with a combined capacity of 14,000 gallons per hour, have been placed in position, which will furnish the necessary amount of water for irrigation purposes and for the use of the building. An engine house, barn and other out-buildings have been erected, at no expense to the Territory. During the last year the management has been extremely economical, the Regents receiving but $1,090 for all their services, which, considering the amount of labor performed, is remarkably small. The following is a detailed statement of expenses for the year 1890: In the year 1862 an Act was passed by Congress, which was amended in 1878, giving to each State and Territory, complying with certain requirements, $15,000 per year for the purpose of establishing and maintaining Agricultural Experimental Stations. In the fall of 1889 the Board of Regents, acting in conjunction with the Governor of the Territory, took initiatory steps for the procuring of this sum for Arizona. An agricultural college was established, and a director of all experimental stations, who was also to be Professor of Agriculture, was elected. After much labor on the part of the Board, ably assisted by Governor Wolfley, ten thousand dollars for Arizona, was, by the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture, placed in a deficiency bill which included New Mexico and Utah. This amount was made available in June of 1890, and the Board entered into contracts, covering the full amount allowed for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890. For the year ending June 30, 1891, Arizona is receiving her full quota, which amount is being judiciously used in establishing stations throughout Arizona. As the Agricultural pursuits are farther advanced in the southern portion of the Territory, stations have been established at Tucson, Phonix, Tempe and Blaisdells, and another will soon be located at Florence, and others, as funds and circumstances will permit, will be established in other portions of the Territory. In 1890, what is known as the "Morrel" bill, an amendment to the Act of 1862, was introduced and passed by Congress, appropriating to such States and Territories as might avail themselves of the privilege, by establishing Agricultural Colleges, where white and colored students would be on an equal footing, the sum of $15,000 for the year ending June 30, 1890, and an annual increase of the amount of such appropriation thereafter for ten years, by the additional sum of one thousand dollars over the preceding year, and the annual amount to be paid thereafter to each State and Territory shall be $25,000. The amount for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, has been received by the Territorial Treasurer, subject to a demand from the Board of Regents, and every effort is being made by the Board for the opening of this college to students. An extensive library apparatus for a chemical laboratory and other appliances for this school have been ordered, and it is confidently hoped that within the next sixty days the school will be opened. In view of the fact that there is or will be enough money to complete the University building, and also taking cognizance of the vast benefit that the Territory is getting and will continue to get, from the Government, we would most respectfully and urgently ask that an appropriation of an amount not exceeding $15,000 be made by the present legislature for the purpose of erecting three residences and one dormitory on the University grounds, for the use of the faculty and also of the scholars in attendance. This amount could be made available-one-half in the year 1891 and the balance in the year 1892. It is hardly probable that any further appropriation will be asked for for some years to come, as almost the entire maintenance of the school will be paid from Congressional appropriations. In submiting the above as the Report of the Board of Regents, I have the honor to remain, Very respectfully yours, TUCSON, Arizona, January 2, 1891. J. M. ORMSBY, Secretary Board of Regents. |