Pullman's President Came to Seattle With $18,000 Recovered
E. A. Bryan touted free tuition, new engineering courses and a faculty of fifteen—after the regents forced a former treasurer to hand over $17,000.
The story, cleaned up
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President E. A. Bryan, of the Pullman Agricultural College, who has had great success with the institution since he took charge, arrived in the city last evening and is a guest of James Bothell. Mr. Bryan will lecture at the Jefferson county teachers' institute at Port Townsend this week, and also at the Clallam county institute, on the subject of 'Education—New and Old.' Mr. Bryan is a pleasant-looking man, of fine appearance, and shows in his conversation the polish acquired in many years of educational work.
When Mr. Bryan took charge of the Pullman college it was in a disorganized state. He put his shoulder to the wheel, soon brought order out of chaos and placed the institution on a proper basis. Mr. Bryan was interviewed last night by a Post-Intelligencer reporter concerning the institution he represents, and was in particularly good humor over the success of the regents in compelling ex-Treasurer A. H. Smith, of Tacoma, to turn over the $17,000 in his possession to the appointee of Gov. McGraw. The money was delivered to the new treasurer a few days ago, and with added interest amounted to over $18,000. Mr. Bryan said: 'Mr. Smith and his bondsmen took the adverse decision of the supreme court philosophically and delivered over $18,000 a few days ago.'
'How is the school getting along, Mr. Bryan?' was asked.
'Very satisfactorily, I assure you,' was the reply. 'We will begin work September 27 with over 200 students. Our faculty consists of fifteen professors, and the courses of study offered are varied enough to suit any and all kinds of tastes.
'The new catalogue will be issued soon, and presents a remodelling of the courses after the most advanced schools in the East. Great pains will be taken with the departments of electrical, mining and civil engineering, the instruction being both theoretical and practical. The courses in biology, chemistry, horticulture and sericulture have also been rearranged after the most improved methods. A student may pursue as his major study any one of the courses mentioned during the entire four years of his course. A fine opportunity is given outside the regular courses for elective work. Tuition is free, and room rent, including steam heat and electric light, costs the student only a nominal sum a year. By systematizing the work in the dormitory, the cost of good board has been reduced. We expect a number of pupils from the Sound country. The agricultural college does not deal with all the branches taught in other institutions of high grade.'
“Mr. Smith and his bondsmen took the adverse decision of the supreme court philosophically and delivered over $18,000 a few days ago.”
Public colleges still live or die by public money and by whether legislators and donors trust their stewards. The 1890s fight over $17,000 at what became Washington State University is an early version of the accountability scandals that now produce audits, hearings and board resignations.
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