Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 11

against their signatures sums ranging between $500 and $2,000. Nearly all of them increased the sums at a later date, except the $2,000 pledgor, who finally contributed nothing. A sidelight on the fiscal condition of the times is found in the agreement of Isaac Davis: -$500--or I will give $5,000 if they will take bonds at a fair price." Apparently they wouldn't, but he contributed $1,000.

Three weeks had been sufficient time for Ichabod Washburn to determine his course of action. On the original subscription paper he wrote, "I engage to erect and equip a suitable machine shop, having reference to the advice of the trustees for the purposes of said institution, at a cost not exceeding ten thousand dollars."

Governor Washburn, learned in the ways of legislatures, had a bill ready to submit to the Massachusetts General Court, and presented it to the meeting of organizers, so that there would be no delay in securing a charter. Approval was received, and the meeting closed with a formal resolution, "that this meeting recognizes with profound thankfulness the liberal and philanthropic spirit of the proposition made to this meeting, and that we cannot doubt that it will receive the hearty cooperation of the citizens of Worcester. "

Two days later the Worcester Palladium printed the first public announcement of the projected institution. The headlines would have been considered invisible a few decades later, but apparently everyone read them, for interest was aroused immediately and widely. The subscription committee began its solicitation and the first results were gratifying.

The several legal steps necessary to incorporation were not difficult. On April 12, David Whitcomb signed a covenant with Seth Sweetser and Emory Washburn that in case suitable buildings should be erected and ready for use before May 1, 1867, he would transfer to them the sum of $100,000 then in his hands.

Emory Washburn's bill to incorporate the Institute was introduced into the Legislature on April 26, 1865. It received

webmaster@wpi.edu

Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999