WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. 377 



time to sound a warning note against the dangers of subversion, 

 which had already appeared in older States; and though there 

 were many enthusiastic friends of &quot;University education,&quot; ready 

 to bear a hand in the building of the young University, there 

 were none to emphasize the practical features of education in 

 agriculture and the mechanic arts. 



Before and after the formal organization of the University, 

 overtures were made to the College of California, already in 

 successful operation in Oakland, with an able faculty and fully 

 organized classes, to effect its disorganization and the transfer 

 of its classes, buildings, lands, liabilities, and assets, to the new 

 institution, in which a &quot;College of Letters&quot; might be co 

 existent, though it could not take precedence. Its property was 

 estimated to be worth $80,000. 



Its founder, Henry Durant, was the pioneer oj the higher 

 literary education on this coast. When the transfer was legally 

 affected, on the condition of the uninterrupted continuance of 

 its classes, there was no recognition of the eminent services of 

 Mr. Durant to education, in the formation of the new Board; 

 Qor was the intent of the donors carried out according to their 

 understanding of what was practicable or &quot;in good faith &quot; 

 toward themselves or the people of the State. Among these 

 trustees were some of the best educated men in the community, 

 with a large experience and knowledge of the peculiar indus 

 trial conditions of the coast, such as Sherman Day, Henry Du 

 rant, and others. Into whose hands was the execution of this 

 great, though &quot;private trust,&quot; committed? A careful reading 

 of the organic Act will show that nearly all the responsibility 

 was thrown upon the Governor. Besides the six ex-officio mem 

 bers, there were eight appointed members &quot; to be nominated 

 by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate,&quot; 

 and the remaining eight members were to be &quot;chosen from the 

 body of the State,&quot; by the official and appointed members, to 

 hold their office for the term of sixteen years, according to 

 classification. All vacancies were to be filled by appointments 

 of the Governor, who did not make any appointments until 

 after the adjournment of the Legislature, thus dispensing with 

 confirmations. He then chose Samuel Merritt, John T. Doyle, 

 Kichard P. Hammond, John W. Dwinelle, Horatio Stebbins, 

 Lawrence Archer, William Watt, and Samuel B. McKee. 



