University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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BR1EP HISTORY UNIVERSITY OP ARIZONA BY . ARK WALKr.M. tt. S- 9T ris not generally known that the first attempt at founding a University for Arizona was made in 1864. at which time Governor John M. Goodwin, in his message to the first Arizona legislature, recommended that the legislators take steps to enable the Territory to accept the gift of 30.000 acres of public lands which the Morrell bill. passed by Congress in 1862, made available to each State. However, in the rush of business the members omitted to accept this grant of land, but they did provide for the establishment of a University to be managed by a Board of Regents consisting of the Governor, the three Judges of the Supreme Court and three resident property holders of the Territory, the latter to be appointed by the two Houses of the Assembly in joint session. The Board of Regents were to select a site and locate the University any time after one year and prior to January 1st 1866. The Legislature chose Gilbert W. Hopkins. William Walter and Richard McCormick as the three elective Regents. During 1865, however, Mr. Hopkins was killed by the Apaches and the second Legislature appcinted Daniel H. Stickneyin his place. There is no record of any meeting ever having been held by this board nor any action taken, and for nearly twenty years the matter lay dormant. In 1881 Congress made a grant of 72.000 acres of land to Arizona and the same to other Territories to support a University or institution of learning. In 1882 the SOUTH IIALL AM »MOr KCIUMSM .

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Superintendent of Public Instruction for Arizona made a selection of these lands and in 1883 we read in the message of Governor Tritle to the twelfth assembly: The question of the establishment of a Territorial University has been agitated somewhat through the Territory. There being no money in any fund out of which the expen- -------------------------- ses of such an establishment could be paid and properly officered. I would consider any action on the premises as unwise at this time.” Accordingly nothing was done till 1885 when the thirteenth Legislature passed a bill appropriating $25,000 to found a University at or a miKTCM «»r CA»rr , catalix near Tucson. It is an interesting historical fact that the people of Tucson did not set out to get a University. They wanted the capitol located at Tucson and failing in this. Mr. C. C. Stevens, a member of the Council from Pima county, introduced the aforementioned bill. The measure passed the council without trouble but met with violent opposition in the House. Fortunately for Tucson, however. Mr. S. M. Franklin, now one of our most prominent lawyers, and at that time recently graduated from the University of California, appreciated the opportunity, immediately championed the cause and after heroic efforts culminating in a magnificent speech before the crowded House suc--------------------?------------------ceeded in effect- ing the passage of the bill. On March 12. 1885. the Governor sent to the Council for confirmation the names of the first Boardof Regents. Of this number, however. Mr. J. $. Mansfeld of Tucson was the only one who took interest enough in the matter to qualify and it was only through the efforts of Mr. Mansfeld and Chas. M. Strauss that others were appointed who did qualify. On November 27th. 1886. J. S. Mansfeld. M. G. Sam-aniego. J. S. Wood and Chas. M. Strauss met in Tucson. organized as a Board and elected John C. Hanby Chancellor and ex-officio president. After various delays the Board succeeded in letting a contract for the