84 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



governmental aid. In view of these factS;, as well as for some other 

 reasons, we thought it expedient, in the common interest, to get from- 

 the affiliated colleges an express recognition of the propriety of treating 

 the ease of Victoria University as, under all the circumstances, 

 exceptional. The heads of the colleges referred to, including University 

 College, were therefore severally seen by the Attorney General and 

 myself. All expressed themselves very cordially respecting Victoria 

 University, and appeared willing that the Government should deal with 

 Victoria as liberally as possible. It was then suggested to each of these 

 gentlemen that a resolution to the effect mentioned should be passed by 

 his college. I have not yet received the expected resolutions, but am 

 sanguine that they will be passed; and even without them, it is not 

 likely that any objection will be offered. I am at liberty to say that, so 

 for as the Government is concerned, there will be no difficulty whatever. 



Yours truly, 



(Signed), G. U. 1Î0SS. 

 The Kev. S. S. Xelles, D.D., Cobourg. 



In this way partial concessions were received on two points. On 

 the other three, the independent presidency of the university, the 

 equality of the colleges and the permanency of representation of the 

 alumni no change was made. 



In this fonn the question was refen-ed to the General Conference 

 in September, 1886, After full discussion a resolution in favour of fede- 

 ration was carried and measures devised to secure the necessary finances 

 then estimated at half a million dollars. The working out of the finan- 

 cial scheme Avas committed to the Eev. Dr. Potts as secretary of the 

 Building and Endowment Fund. 



Tlie subsequent conflict of Victoria over the federation question is 

 not a part of the history of the University of Toronto. But it is a 

 chapter in the record of those painful and laborious struggles by 

 which nations and institutions reach their ultimate perfection, and a 

 part we believe of the history of the solution of the university problem 

 of this province. 



During the session of the Legislature immediately following the 

 action of the General Conference of the Methodist Church the Federa- 

 tion Act was passed by the Legislature and Avas assented to 23rd April, 

 1887. As this forms the basis of the new university constitution it 

 becomes important to present a summary of its provisions. 



The University Corporation, the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and 

 Senate and all existing appointments, statutes, rules and regulations were 

 continued subject to the new provisions. 



