Letter from Edmund Jones
to his father, Edmund
W. Jones, August 26, 1867 (In Which He Comments on the University's Debts)
University of N. C.
Aug 26th 69
My Dear Father,
Thinking that perhaps by this time you might feel some inclination to hear how
matters are going on at the Hill, I will endeavor to portray the
situation as well as posible. I have but awaited the development of things, so
that when I wrote I could give you something of interest, if I fail it will not
be on account of my want of inclination. I am somewhat at a loss to come to a
definite conclusion as to the future of our University,
but this much I think can safely be counted on, (i e) that this is the last
session here, or at all events the last in its present state. There must be
either a great reaction or else the institution
is bound to go down. Now the question is which shall it be. In calmly weighing
the arguments pro & con, I am afraid that the old University must suffer a temporary eclipse, unless promptly
sustained by the state legislature, which I fear will not be the case,
even supposing that they are allowed to meet; there is evidently a strong
feeling now against the University, it
is looked upon by the more ignorant (which class including sundry petty
demagogues I am sorry to say is now in the ascendancy) as a monopolizer: they
will start the old song of only rich mens sons being educated here, which with a
population the most ignorant in the U. S. will have great weight. So it is not saying too
much, when I assert that we are to look to the legislature for
nothing. And now what can the trustees do by themselves. In the
first place there are over sixty of said body, two thirds of whom have never attended a meeting, that certainly
shows great interest in its welfare, & even at this important crisis
there is barely a quorum in Raleigh, in this respect I think our Uncle
Gen S. F. P. & his son R. L. ditto:
have been somewhat remiss, & there is Hon B. S. Gaither who has for twenty years been a
trustee, & has never attended a meeting yet. The Faculty have I
understand upon good authority all resigned. Gov Swain's resignation
has been accepted & I don't know how many of the Prof's will be, in its
present state of finance I don't see how their places are to be supplied. It
strikes me that with no endowment & $25,000 in debt besides
the strong feeling against it, that it will be imposible to do so.
On the other hand the Trustees at least those who seem disposed to do
any thing seem determined to make it as high in standing as ever. I understand
that they have disposed of the land script for $135,000 This will of course go far toward helping us out
of the dificulty, but it may safely be estimated that it will take
$50,000 to pay its debts & reorganize the faculty, leaving no
immense sum for a reserve. The question then arises who can be procured as
president & where is an able faculty to come from? If it is
successfully started again there will be a thorough change, the general opinion
is that the Elective system will be chosen, which I think will be the best.
Sam is pleased &
seems to be studying, sends much love. Where is Annie & Renee now, if in the Valley give them my love & tell Annie to write to me, or if she
prefers it I will write to her first. Tell Mollie I will write to her before long. I will keep you
posted as to University matters. (A hundred or so would not
come amiss?) We will have an interesting game of base ball here next saturday
for the champion ball of the state which we now hold. The Crescents of Raleigh play us. My love to all, &
I am your aff son
E. Jones