New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-05
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE AF-
FAIRS OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Yesterday morning the COMMITTEE resumed its in
vesgatioIs meeting in the College Library for tina.
purpose.
The following queries we're propounded to Mr. Og-
den who asked time 10 pre- an answer by Novsn-
her next. T1s courtesy having been accorded Ia Mr..
Ruggles, the Committee extended the same to Mr.
Fave he affairs the COLLEGE been conducted hes,
promote The and Of hs students herons
d end WI A. has Of the neglect if
On the general Interests of the institution
sd,quste for Of the professors And
ru De and the endangered the Of either professors
The following interrogatory was propounded TO the
Trustees:
Did you OF FOR candidate for The above
with The religious views or ene;s Of such
Nr. RrGorrs replied in the negative.
Ire Rev GARDISER SPRING, ID. D.. replied Gem
teuep YOU have called upon ma b. reply 10 thu fore
going question They no. my a'ts, ~ an lndivi-
dnsl uemhe, Of the Board of Trustees OF Counbia
College which YOU investigate. hut the m9tices and
reasons of my official conduct which have never Yet
been fully d sco.ed. Were standing at the c,nfes
sionsl. ard were you, gentlemen my confessOrs,
mil hi submit TO this inquisitor's poTer. | have
learned to value too highly the great principles II
civil and religious liberty put my conscience 10 the
keeping Of any man, set of men. Religious tolers
ton becomes intolerance, when men and actions are
such az to violate ths ssnctity Of conscience. Nor
EN- vet persuaded that the Intelligent and enlght-
ened members of this Committee dissent from the
views here expressed. Besides; so far a. AN able
10 Judge, the chartered privilege Of voting ~ b1bo
il conclusive agar the inquiries into the and
motiv es by which my ballots. Trustee Of the Col
lege, have been decided. Yet gentlemen, noiwith-
standing these views il is my purpose 20
answer the questions you propouuded To me-
] do il from respect 10 the Senate of the State
and 10 the distinguished individuals who here repre-
sent them. do il also from sense OF justice IN Co
lumhia College. and lest the individual sud combined
efforts which, with such unwearrd Zeal and sub
fifty have sndeavored TO pref uoic her interests in The
matter pending before the Committee should
prove successful. came into the Board Of Trustees
al the solicitation of the late Bishop Hobart. AMI With
the frank avowhl bis part thai while the Coil. 20
was open 70 Students ~ all religious limitations
End that no UNCONVENTIONAL preferences excluded any
from lie subordinate Profe,sor-hips, II vas An
Episcopal Institution, and thar ifs President must be
connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church Ia
all nv votes The refore for President Of the College
have sctsd upon this principle aud have made the
religious views of the candidates decisive of ny con-
duct. 10 other Instance have ever contemplated
any religious test As determining nv cO1rse. have
never voted 81 sinst any man nor excluded any man
nom office. account of his religious sentiments
Nor have ever given my vote for mao rather
Than another because he belonged to religious de-
nomination rather than another. Nor on me other
hand have yielded TO that spirit of exclu.veness and
bgotry which would copstrsln 10 vote for lny
and give him the preference above better merely
hecsus. his views were uncAretian and irrehglOus
and Dot only at With great truths OF the gospel
maintained by the Episcopal Church but with the
fundamental principles Of our common christianity.
| understand the committee expressing desire To
know my reasons and motives for voting Professor
McCDloch IL preference 10 other highly respectable
candidates. Other candidates, il il true furnished
the Board Of Trustees Important Testimonials. some
Of them, in my Judgment, came from very question:
able sources, aud Ia my certain kuo Eleise. we're
soueh; for with undue and unbecomin, ABILITY.
gave my ballot, therefore for Profess II McCulloch
because believed him 10 be- intellec Ally, aud by
SOUND and extensive sttsinnents in natur.l science;
by his industry and spirit Of enierpri,e; by his
ptrience III teaching All his ell-known disc pine
and influence over the youthful mind; a1d by his
christian character and exemplary moral de por,nent
better qualified To I'll the vacant chair than any OF
the numerous candidates presented 70 the consiisrs
ton Of the Trustees. | have Dot sought TO make
this disclosure gentlemen; ycG yourselves, have oh
cisly called for IT, | regret that you ave done %,
hecsuse regret TO have said even the lii lie which
have thus uttered. l have taken counsel with
one in pre- pairing this slswer 10 you. question; tue
responsible Of dong is exclusively nv osn, AMI
the answer respectfully submitted.
GARDINER SPRING.
Brick Chr,ei cAspa yev> Yat oc, 4 lsS.
Mr. Henry JANIS AsDERsoS begged lesve respect
fully 10 decline answering untI bette. informed OF me
authority which couli compel reply.
The fOllowing Trustees declined TO The q1a-
ton proposed 10 hcn 70. The following reasons: