1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. 365buy his way into the good opinion of the people of Nebraska," and "to buyhis way into heaven."The second assumption is that to accept the $66,667.00 "Rockefellerbounty" is to preach to Nebraska youth the righteousness of trust cut-throatethics, and to subvert the university to Standard Oil domination, gag thefaculty, and gag Chancellor Andrews, who, clearly enough, they say, isalready gagged. "He [Rockefeller] is seeking to obtain domination overour great institution just the same as he dictates to the institution of learningwhich he supports in Chicago." "Is it possible," asks one paper, "thatNebraska's proud citizens are willing to allow Rockefeller to teach theirchildren? Chancellor Andrews has proven a great disappointment to theplain people of Nebraska. When he came here, they looked upon him as ahighly educated man, fully in sympathy with them; but his recent apologiesfor John D. Rockefeller, and his strenuous efforts to erect a monument to aman whose only greatness consists in being the richest man in the world, aresadly disappointing."The third assumption is that the state is abundantly able to furnish theuniversity all the funds it needs; that outside private donations from corporatewealth are uncalled for. With the smallest percentage of illiteracy ofany state, Nebraska's chief pride is in its thirty-five-year-old university.The fact is that, in proportion to its wealth, Nebraska has supported its universitymore generously than has any other state, and the last appropriationit gave Chancellor Andrews was by far the largest it has ever given. Rich,and rapidly growing richer, Nebraska is, the opponents of the Rockefellergift say, "not a mendicant." "Must it play Lazarus to Rockefeller Dives?"Its university has attained its present greatness "without the aid or consentof any influence other than the taxes of its citizens." Of their ability to paytaxes, they say Chancellor Andrews "has made light." When the newrevenue laws get limbered up, the state will have "ample funds without theaid of Rockefeller or any one else. God ought to reign even here in Nebraska."A majority of the people, it seems clear, are in favor of accepting Mr.Rockefeller's contribution towards a building, for which the legislaturecould not, on account of religious scruples, and because many memberswould regard it as a "frill," be induced to appropriate S 100,000, especiallywhen, as ex-President Kenower, of the board of regents says, "all the departmentsof the university are overcrowded and clamoring for room. It isfutile to think of erecting such a building with public funds."Those who favor accepting Mr. Rockefeller's gift argue that the state isnot concerned with his motive, whether it is worthy or unworthy; that toaccept such a gift is not in any sense to condone the giver's conduct; that torefuse the gift on the ground that the donor acquired his wealth by questionablemeans is, as Regent C. S. Allen points out, to adopt the policy ofsaying to every would-be donor, "We refuse to accept your gift until youprove you possess a sanctified character;" and that if the university, whichhas grown much faster than the state, is to maintain its present rank, privatedonors must help out on buildings; that, as Regent Allen says, "no onewho is acquainted with the needs of the university will say that a profitableuse cannot be made of funds vastly exceeding the utmost resources of thestate."