Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/85

THE INCEPTION OF THE PLAN 59 In a letter written on March 2, Dr. Harper says: A letter from Mr. R. just received expresses great satisfaction at this new scheme. He names a committee. Mr. Rockefeller named a committee of seven, several of whom became members of the Committee of Nine as finally constituted. In a letter from Mr. Gates, also written on March 2, the follow- ing is of interest: Mr. Rockefeller's interest is unabated, I am confident, though we may have been a little more sanguine in the large figures than has been fully warranted. I have a letter from him dated the 26th in which he says, " In the event of giving for such an institution, I would prefer to give through the Education Society." I am by no means discouraged at the outlook, and as I am charged by the Board with the duty of doing everything in my power to secure for Chicago a well equipped institution of learning, I shall not permit the matter to drop, but shall push it just as fast as prudence will admit. Events now began to march more rapidly. The Executive Committee, in March, 1889, appointed a "Committee of Inquiry on the Proposed Institution of Learning in Chicago," consisting of the following nine leading and influential men of the denomina- tion: Dr. E. Benjamin Andrews, at that time professor of history in Cornell University; Dr. Wm. R. Harper, professor in Yale; Dr. Alvah Hovey, president of Newton Theological Institution; Dr. James M. Taylor, president of Vassar College; Dr. Samuel W. Duncan and Dr. J. F. Elder, leading pastors; Dr. H. G. Weston, president of Crozer Theological Seminary; Hon. Charles L. Colby, a prominent business man; and Dr. Henry L. Morehouse, secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Immediately after the appointment of the Committee the Cor- responding Secretary sent the following letter to such persons as it was believed could give the Committee assistance in its work: March 12, 1889 DEAR BROTHER: The Executive Committee of the American Baptist Education Society has chosen a committee of nine brethren of the denomination to make inquiries and recommendations concerning the proposed institution of learning in Chicago. I enclose the printed outline of the inquiry proposed. We desire to furnish the committee with every possible facility for their work. I venture therefore to ask you to send me for the Committee your judgment on such