Mr. Clagett Here

The Rev. W. H. Clagett of Taylor was in the city yesterday and left last night for his home. He came in from Houston yesterday, where he went after attending an important meeting at Dallas of the trustees of the Texas Presbyterian university, of which he is the originator. Mr. Clagett came here for the purpose of consulting with Dr. Brackenridge, treasurer of the university board.

In conversation with the writer yesterday, Mr. Clagett said that up to [...] subscription for the endowment fund amounting to $10,000, of which amount $8,038 in cash had been paid in so far. [...] he would be met with a most cordial reception and was happy to say that he was receiving material assistance all the time.

Mr. Clagett will remain in Taylor until the new year, when he will go to Little Rock and from there to New York, in all probability, in the interest of [...]. A letter was read by the pastor and elders [...] of the church. It reads as follows and is self-explanatory:

"Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 10, 189[...]

We have heard with great pleasure of the founding and history of the Texas Presbyterian university. We are deeply impressed with the providential circumstances as related to its origin and development, and still more deeply impressed with the small number of Presbyterian institutions in the southwest. [...] the necessity of a great Presbyterian university second to none in the land, on a plan so broad and comprehensive as that which the Texas Presbyterian university has undertaken. It is, therefore, a matter of no small gratification to learn that an institution has been founded in the southwest on a plan so broad and comprehensive as that outlined.

We especially approve the distinctive feature [...] that has been secured -- the co-operation of all Presbyterians north and south [...] the requirement that the majority of these trustees shall be laymen rather than ministers -- and especially the feature forbidding any indebtedness, and we most cheerfully commend the institution to the sympathy and support of the Presbyterians everywhere.

We take pleasure in expressing to the board of trustees our own sympathy in their great work, in which we are impressed God may have a purpose more far-reaching than the bounds of the single state of Texas, even the identification of the entire southwest in the enterprise.

In taking this action, we do not wish to be interpreted as relaxing in any way our loyalty and fidelity to Arkansas college, which should receive the support and encouragement of every Presbyterian in the state, but simply our commendation of the newly-founded university, which, wisely directed on the plan on which it has been organized, we believe can and will accomplish a work for our beloved church in the southwest that can not be accomplished by any of our synodical schools alone; and working harmoniously with them, and they with it, the usefulness and prosperity of all will be greatly enhanced."