THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
On motion by Mr. PATTEN, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole (Mr. Adams in the Chair) for the consideration of the bill [H. R. 527] to make general appropriations for expenses of the State government.
The question being on the amendment by Mr. REEVES to allow Purdue University $l for new buildings.
Mr. PATTEN said: We are here talking to save the people's money. Here we have from the catalogue a description of the present buildings. [Reads.] This shows that the present capacity of the buildings is abundant. They have plenty of room and enough of tools. I am not in favor of giving $1, but $1 is easier to pay than $25 or page: 110[View Page 110] $25,000 Give them money; money is all they want. And then on the banks of that classic Wabash will spring such an institution as was never known in the State. Think of giving them $40,000 a one time! Who owns Purdue? Does the State or do the Representatives from Tippecanoe and Clinton own it? Why, along the banks of the limpid Wabash even the catfish become more active as they pass Purdue. After awhile there is no telling what Purdue may turn out. There is no telling. Even the willows that bow themselves along the Wabash will even have intelligence. Why, even down in Sullivan County, along the Wabash, the inspiration seems to reach us as Purdue University is enlightening the world This institution is a robber, and when I say it, I say it in no unfairness to Purdue. I do not mean it individually, but as an institution it is a robber. Money is asked for continually to sustain this fraud. Why do the men stay there but if for money? We are to legislate in the right way, and not for favoriteism. We have already appropriated $40,000 to Purdue Those buildings have been erected at a large expense to Indiana. Of course, the people of Tippecanoe paid something for the institution; but they did that to get it, and they have the students to make money out of. They have sent their greatest man here, and he has voted for every measure on this floor, I suppose, to keep the good feelings of the other members that they might all vote for Purdue. But this is the last year for Purdue. It will die, and never to rise again. The farmers and mechanics do not favor this. Whoever heard of the gentleman from Tippecanoe (Mr. Smith) or the gentleman from Clinton (Mr. Staley) raising their voices for the grand old college at Bloomington?
The CHAIRMAN: The gentleman has gone far enough. The gentleman is out of order, and can not longer impugn the motives of the two gentlemen. The gentleman will proceed.
Mr. TAYLOR: The rule says the gentleman shall not proceed.
The CHAIRMAN: As soon as he is in order.
Mr. SAYRE: The rules say he shall take his seat, and may not proceed without the consent of the House.
Mr. McMICHAEL: I move that the gentleman be allowed to proceed.
The CHAIRMAN: The gentleman is granted the floor if he will keep in order.
Mr. PATTEN: That is fair and well enough. In eleven years Purdue has cost the State $7,000 for agricultural implements. And it is not an agricultural college nor is it a State institution.
Mr. SMITH, of Tippecanoe: This gentleman talks as if no one outside the State could enter this institution, but residents of Tippecanoe County. Of course this is not true. The $25,000 asked for is to construct buildings and to provide them with tools. In all the history of Purdue, every single item of expense has been open to the world. I propose to state facts every time, upon the honor of a man. Tippecanoe County has done not only nobly by Purdue, but has given $77,000 to Asbury University. I think as much of De Pauw University as any man in the State. It you donate this money the building will be constructed, and you may rely upon it. You say that if we need $25,000 we are not in earnest if we take $15,000. However if we secure the $15 000 it may be invested in the buildings, and then if you give us the tools we can use them.
Mr. SAYRE moved as a substitute that the sum be $17 000.
Mr. STALEY: Gentlemen come here and ask for various sums to support the State institutions. We have met their wishes. We may have said that their expenses were high, but we have never before said that they needed nothing at all. The intimation back of this is that the State will abandon Purdue Any party or clique which may do so to go before the people of Indiana on that issue will go down. Purdue University constitutes an important part of the educational system of the State, though the youngest. When it comes to make appropriations for the State educational institutions the people are always ready for it. In our county the people are almost ready for prodigality; so are the people of the State. The educational institutions are for the common people; they are for the poor man. The people demand all the State educational institutions. We must give liberally - we can not, we dare not oppose it.
The substitute to make the sum $17,000 was rejected by yeas 34, nays 35.
Mr. REEVES withdrew his amendment to make the sum $1.
The amendment to make the sum $15,000 was rejected by yeas 34, nays 36
Mr. DEEM offered an amendment that the sum be $12,000.
This amendment was rejected.
On motion of Mr. GORDON the committee then proceeded to the next item.
