The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-29
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.



Our Albany Correspondence.
ALBANY, March %, 1851
Rfeeats Of the University Of the State Of INeio York
There is a body Of men, organized many years
sinee by law Of this State, distinguished as the
Regents of the University, who are appointed by
Joint meeting of the Legislature, and who hold
their places until removed by death resignation.
They have the principal supervision all the
higher literary institutions in the State re-
quixed to examine all candidates for professorhps
and distribute such funds to the several colleges and
academies, as may be placed in their hands by the
Legislature, in proportion to the scholars in the
several institutions. regent is honorary
state officer, there being no provision made for
salary. As politics controls almost everything
else it also selects the regents. OF those known as
such, thirteen democrats and nine are wings,
some having been on the list as long as twenty-sx
years.
In examining the names, very few are found who
are qualified to discharge the duties. Among
others, we discovered three thirdrate lawyers, two
gentlemen of immense wealth, n broken bank pre-
sadent United States dry dock contractor, an anti
quated historian, civil engineer, = methodist
minister, of PATRON, &c., &c. Such is
sample of the who are placed ut the head of
eur literary and scientific institutions where philo
scphy, the languages, history, mathematics. alge-
bra, and all the other sciences are taught. Which
of them can tell whether a scholar recites III the
Latin or Greek-whether he has attained pro-
6cency in either of the branches Of education, such
~ taught at Columbia Union Colleges! We
know this is using plain language, and it is as pain
full for US to be compelled to make the expose, az it
will be disagreeabe for those gentlemen to be thus
referred And among them all there is only one,
and his race Is running very swiftly, who has been
conspicuous in the republic of letters, who has
placed among the archives of his country any re-
Rarkable exhibition OF talent
Hit were possible to keep politics out of the ques
ton, il would be well to re-organze the Board of
Regents, and remodel the law, so that they should
only be allowed to remain in the Board a certain
number OF years. Such only should be selected as
have the proper qualifeations-such as have passed
through series OF years in such institutions they
may be DESTROYS of experimenting
The present Board scarcely ever meet in quorum
During the session of the Legislature, when the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of
State, at the capital, they occasionally meet
with two others living in Albany and usu-
ally turn the business over to their secretary who
manages matters as he desires. The Legislature, in
most cases, take for granted any proposition which
he suggests, coming, "a they led to believe, from
the entire Board. Last year, however, that body
was completely entrapped; this secretary presented
areport upon Indian antiquities which he desired to
have printed for the use of the Regents. Ii
tanned an account of the Iroquois tribe some hun
bred years since embellished with colored
engravings of ancient moccasins. belts, wampum,
leggins, Sc, which all ordered engraved and
eoorcd, and placed IN their appropriate places in the
volume, containing some hundred pages. A large
number of these books were printed at an expense
TO the state of some twenty thousand dollars, but
there not single word line in it which
quired legislative action This amount of printing.
was done by order OF the House. at the special re-
quest OF the secretary of the Regents, and no
else.
At the early part of the present session, another
similar Indian document presented to the Senate
by the secretary, and the printing again requested
Several Senators, recoecting the hoax played upon
the House last year, opposed the printing and, after
a hard struggle Of nearly entire day. finally sue
eeeded in rejecting the proposition to print. An
effort viii be made TO secure the passage Of Il
luton in the House, fleeing the state of ten
fifteen thousand dollars this year, finding that the
Senate refused 70 do it,
Speaking Of regents-a gentleman has recently
been elected by the Legislature, whose talent ca
yacity, and literary attainments, viii do honor to
the station. The person alluded to i the Rev.
John " Campbell, Of this city. lie is perfect
scholar, in every sense OF the term--famiiar with
all the branches taught in our higher institutions,
having complete knowledge Of most of the dead
language and living sciences. lie Is minister Of
the Presbyterian order, standing second TO none in
ihe State in the classics, theology, any of the
scientific studies. Ills uniform industry is certain
guarantee of his constant aud strict devotion to the
duties assigned him. Although belonging to "A GER
tain order Of religion, and firm in the faith he pro-
fesscs, still tie public may rest assured that has
noblencss Of mind will never permit any sectarian
views 10 enter the transactions OF the Board OF
Regents. Being in the city. always ready to pari-
eate with his brethren of the board and possessing
literary taste unsuIl passed, lr. Campbell viii be
found one of the most active and useful members.
His energy, perseverance, and activity, will put 10
shame many OF the 8ntiquatcd drones and conceited
ignonmuses, with whom he will be compelled to
associate in the discharge of his duties. Why cam
rot the Board of Regents be at once recognized
W