Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, April 20, 1890

Dearest Mary, How does it feel to get two letters-- two business letters-- from me a day, does it feel like last February when we were in Boston together, so busy that we had not time for anything more than we have at present? But I have to hurry now too, so to begin. First, good morning, now-- Your letter asking about medical school details came at 10 A.M yesterday and if I had answered it I should have had to leave seeing people who might go on the Committee here, and as it was Saturday. I thought you might not get it in any case till Monday and I knew Monday you would get a letter written on Sunday. The position of affairs is this-- the University had always intended to open the medical school when the Hospital opened and had gradually been saving up a reserve fund for buildings, and first running expenses; but it seemed all the time more and more as if all the resources of the University were swallowed up in its academic departments, still they thought the school must be opened. Then came the complete stoppage of income, and they saw themselves forced either to close the University or to use the reserve and raise enough more to enable them to go on with economy. They did this wisely of course; and at the same time the Hospital assumed the expenses of WelshGÇÖs pathological laboratory -- with his salary assistants etc. $10,000; and $5000 that it considered belonged to the University. This is regarded as a temporary arrangement, although in fact at least -+ of the pathology department belongs to the Hospital, but there would be other salaries to be borne in part by the university. When Mr. Gilman brought forward a scheme of graduate lectures last year the Hospital trustees, who are you know almost the University trustees, said we pay the salaries and we ourselves so long as you are four will organize and arrange these graduate lectures. Consequently Mr. Gilman and the University withdrew and the lectures of course failed. At present the UniversityGÇÖs hands are tied tight-- they have no money to erect buildings, the Hospital pays all the Salaries and stands like a dog in the manger preventing all action. The strain of affairs is so great that I think our $100,000 would probably enable the University to begin in a small way; but of course it will not enable it to begin right. It needs $500,000 separate endowment, because a higher scholarship can never pay for itself itself-- the higher the standard the lower the numbers. Its stock will I suppose never again pay 10 percent and the scale of the running of the University was calculated on that, so that I cannot see how the University proper can spare anything for the medical school. Especially as I consider it the universityGÇÖs duty to sell its stock the first second it can which will still further reduce its income. I entreated and begged Father and Mr. Kery and Mr. Gwinn to do so long ago for it seems to me criminal to ask a great enterprise-- to take any risks whatever. Money held in trust is so different from private money. So never again can the University count on 3,000,000 at 10 percent; 3,0000,000 at 5 percent will be the most lucky turn of the wheel. How then will this wished for $500,000 be expanded? And every one of the Trustees agrees that it is most ultimately necessary. My only fear about out $100,000 if it were accepted would be that it might really prevent other people from giving the needed additional amount-- liberal views and many do not always go together-- and without this amount the medical school cannot be a great one. How will it be expanded? $100,000 in lecturers rooms and additional laboratories on this lot near the hospital. It might cost more but they are so anxious for an endowment that I believe they would spend no more -- Welsh 5,000 Now paid Hospital Halstead 2,500 Paid now Hospital Osler 2,500 GÇ£ GÇ£ GÇ£ Pharmacist 5,000 Kelly 2,500 GÇ£ GÇ£ GÇ£ Assistant Lecturers 5,000 Assistant lecturers being} Eye 1000 Throat & Chest 1000 Ear 1000 Skin 1000 Nerves 1000 5000 This does not allow for an electrician pure and simple if there proves to be enough work for one Mary. You see the salaries at once amount to $22,500 and at 5 percent, the income of the 400,000 is only $20,000 still they could count on a little more than 5 percent . The fees of the students would only pay for the needed increase of teachers and the running expenses. Moreover here is no provision for a Maternity hospital. I have written to Father to find out who is to build and run this. Of course the Hospital it seems to me but I do not know. What I hear from him I will let you know. I said I had been asked a question in regard to the probable expectation of the $500,000 endowment could it be secured. Also this scheme may not be the scheme of everyone, but I am inclined to think something very like it will be put in operation should the endowment ever come. Now goodbye. I have hosts of other letters to write. Remember I am expecting you and have just declined really a very important college engagement that is an important invitation from the college point of view on Friday evening. The gymnastics are in Friday not on Thursday. You may come either Thursday or Friday early but in any case you must stay till Monday as Sunday is my best day. We will devote it to 2 opposites. Shakespeare and working out these medical school salaries to our satisfaction. Keep me informed of your address. Lovingly yours, M. Carey Thomas If you come Thursday you might choose Thursday evening between a dinner and working out the school schedule for next year.