SUPPLEMENTARY
TO THE
BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS
VOLUME ELEVENTH.
Charter of Notre Dame du Lac Debate in Continuation,
IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, April 14, 1869,[IN CONTINUATION p. 53.]
Mr. Wolcott's bill [S. 285] amending the charter of Notre Dame coming up in order it was read the second time.
Mr. ROBINSON of Decatur. I move to refer that bill to the Committee on Corporations.
Mr. WOLCOTT. Mr. President: This is a bill simply to increase the power of the University of Notre Dame Du Lac to hold one hundred thousand dollars worth of real property instead of thirty thousand dollars, as now provided by its charter. It is kuown as one of the most flourishing institutions in the State, having between five and six hundred students in the University proper, besides the number attending the female department. And it has a manual labor branch. It does not come here as the Bloomington University asking an appropriation. It simply asks to be permitted by authority of law to hold that amount of real estate which shall enable it to carry out the general purposes for which it is being now conducted-that of a University, or large school with a manual labor or agricultural branch. The society has purchrsed a body of cheap swamp lands in the vicinity, which it is reclaiming by the labor of the students that will-increase in value rapidly: and it simply asks that its capacity to hold real estate may be equal to the requirements of the University. This bill grants no new powers in other respects-the recitation of powers there is a repetition of the old charter. Every person knows that this University is not second to any in the State in its usefulness. The bill was before a Committee twice and they have reported favorably upon it.
Mr. ROBINSON of Decatur. Mr. President: I see no objection to the reference. This institution is entitled to hold all its building apparatus, and everything of that kind and stands in that respect on the same foundation with institutions of a similar character And why should they have these greater privileges? I have heard something in regard to this matter that makes me suspicious in regard to the demands this institution makes.
Mr. CARSON. As far as I am able to understand the bill, I am in favor of it. But I do not think the Committee on corporations the proper one to refer it to; I prefer that it go to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. BRADLEY. I do not see any necessity for this bill going to any Committee. It does not increase the powers of this institution only as to holding a certain amount of land.
Mr. CARSON. I do not so understand that from the reading of the bill. They ask not to purchase and hold any more land, but the same land at a greater value.
Mr. FISHER. Mr. President: One remark which fell from the Senator from White, [Mr. Wolcott,] makes it look to me like it was incorporating a land speculation. He states that they have bought - a quantity of swamp land three or four miles away. What do they want it there for? He says they have ditched it, and wish to hold it. What for? Not for their benefit and use because it is three or four miles away. I am willing the College should hold all the land necessary for the use of the institution; but to make big land speculators of these societies and allow them to hold large estates;these things I do not think are right. I think they ought to be examined and caitically examined. I am op page: 307[View Page 307]posed to giving any incorporated body power to buy large tracts of land and hold them.
Mr. BELLAMY. Mr. President : The bill provides instead of holding thirty thousand dollars exclusive of improvements the society may hold one hundred thousand dollars exclusive of improvements. I suppose if they put one million dollars of improvements on their lands they could hold it, so the Committee thought it necessary to add a clause that only two hundred and forty of land and improvement should be held.
Mr. WOLCOTT. Mr. President: It is well known that the Agricultural Colleges throughout the States have located large bodies of for their exclusive benefit. What difference does it make whether the investment be in lands, in stocks or other forms. It seems to me the objections urged are narrow and without thought or reflection. Here is an institution based, to a great extent, upon a manual labor school, having a department to teach agricultural science, an institution having within its walls five or six hundred pupils, and yet Senators object to increasing its authority to hold real property from thirty to one hundred thousand dollars! A most surprising objection.
Mr. FISHER. I have no objection to any amount of money, means, or capital that that or any other institution of learning may have, I predicated my remarks upon a statement the Senator himself made; that the institution was entering into a land speculation;-that the society bought land not for the use of the College, but for the purpose of making money.
Mr. WOLCOTT. There is nothing contained in the grant of power of this institution, to buy or sell land. They are authorized to buy or receive property to a limited amount, and if they get an excess they are bound to sell it. This is not a rich institution. It is an institution supported in a great degree by the labor of those attending school. Not being rich they bought some cheap lands-the whole amount of the purchase is but fifteen thousand dollars. Doubtless that will be increased or enhanced in value by the labor of the students of the institution. It will not be a site on which one million of dollars will be expended in improvements. It would now not be subject to much taxation, but by an express provision of the bill, after reaching a certain valuation by a law of the State it is subject to taxation. I see no reason why this bill should not be sustained.
The motion to refer the bill to the Committee on Corporations was then agreed to.
