The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-23

Meeting OF the Alumni OF Columbia College.
An adjourned meeting of this body held yesterday
afternoon at the College Chapel for the purpose of con-
certing for the celebration Of their
anniversary.
Prof Renwick was called 10 the chair and Mr.. F.s
Talmadge appointed Secretary.
After some conversational debate Mr.. s. W. ROOSEVELT
offered the following resolutions having reference to the
recent rejection of pr wolcott Gibbs candidate for the
Professorshp of Natural and Experimental Philosophy
and Chemistry, by the Trustees of the College
whereas the Alumni of Columbia College have to-
gether at the call Of the Trustees ito consult as to the
celebration of a centennial anniversary Of the College n
October next And whereas the Board of Trustees
have recently denied the application of large number
of the Alumni 10 appoint to the vacant Professorshp OF
Chemistry and Natural and Experimental Philosophy, Dr.
Wolcott Gibbs alumnus of the college, OF unques-
toned ability supported in his claims by the testimony
of the most distinguished of science in country,
and have appointed gentleman whose qualifications
not superior to those Of Dr. Gibbs who is not aiumnus
of the college and whe had not the recommendation Of
tie Aiamni And whereas the appointment Of Dr. Gibbs
cular religious tenets and the Trustees the 9th Of
January last refused TO agree to resolution offered by
one OF their body to the effect that filing the vacancy
they bound ito select the person fitted the
place without regard to his opinions in matters of re
gon."
Resolved That in opinion Che Trustees in the ap-
pointment of Professor, should select of the
college possessing qualifications equal to those of any
other candidate, and that the RECOMMENDATION of The
alumni the college should have great weight with the
Trustees in making such appointment
Resolved That the spirit which would make particu-
lar religious belief test of fitness for Professorshp
Physical Science, deserves severest condemnation
Resolved That In opinion the action of the Trus-
tees in rejecting DR.. Gibbs is unjust to him, the
alumni and to the community and evnces spirit of in
tolerance opposed to the liberal intentions Of the charter
inconsistent with the character of public institution
and in the highest degree injurious to the best interests
OF the college.
Resolved That those members Of the Board of
Trustees who voted against resisted the appointment
of Dr. Gibbs for the that they could not consci
entiousy assist in the election of Unitarian to the va
cant profssorhp be and they hereby requested by
the Alumni to examine and decide whether they can
conscienously hold Office in institution which, BY its
charter is prevented from excluding any person Of any
religious denomination whatever from any of the de.
grees, privileges and immuntes of the COLLEGE on ae
count OF his peculiar enets in matters of religion and
which, by the laws of this State prohibited from ma
king ''the religious enets of any person condition of
admission TO any privilege Office in the said College,
Rel Owed That the thanks of the Alumni due to
the Trustees Messrs. Charles King, Clement c. Moore,
Hobart, Henry J. Anderson, Samuel B. Ruggles and
George Strong, for their constant resistance to the
iabs raj policy OF imposing religious test upon candi
dates for Office.
Resolved That The proceedings the Trustees so far
as they relate to the public duties of the College
seminary Of learning legitimate subjects of public
scrutiny and secret or confidential character shonld
be claimed for them.
Resolved, That the people and the age demand the
widest diffusion of knowledge; that education such as
our College has at its disposal can neither be too liberal
nor 100 practical in its character, too freely be-
was endowed, and that for these ends the management
OF the College needs new energy and reform.
Resolved, That 1t s not expedient for the Alumni 70
join in the proposed celebration of the centennial ami
versary of the College until understanding is had with
and of the future governance of the College.
Resolved That committee, from the classes here
present be appointed to confer with the Trustees
gard to the proposed celebration, and report to the
Alumni at early day, upon the expediency of their
uniting in such celebration, and that the said commit.
tee further report whether any and what steps are
proper to be taken the part the Alumni to
the prosperity strengthen the influence and extend the
usefulness of their Alma Mater.
long and very lively debate followed upon the road
ing OF the foregoing resolutions.
Mr.. russell expressed his disapproyaI OF The
action Of the Trustees in this matter If their
action was such calculated to bring upon them
the charge of bigotry and sectarianism the Alumni
would have to bear part Of the odium Such conduct
was intoerant and disgraceful to the age we live in
The resolutions charged that DR.. Gibbs, an alumnus
OF the College, recommended by the Alumni to a
grounds. That grave charge What was the
pIcofY That he was applicant for the ofce-that he
was alumnus-that he was recommended by the
alumni-that he rejected, be denied That
he was amply qualified for this situation wasproved
BY the testimonials of almost all the entiGc men
in the country Not an objection hal been proved
against his moral character his conduct in the social
relations. But the question he rejected on re-
that Dr. Gibbs was rejected any other ground than
this There gentleman named against him that
was equaliy quahued was rejected three several
times. when no man pretended to equal quafca-
tons He was rejected in great measure by blank
votes. OF the gentlemen who voted against Dr. Gibbs
were five clorgymen and Fix laymen We frd Dr. Gibbs
was locked upon as Unitarian, arch.h erctic lie
Ghe speaker was of the same condemned sect, and
thanked God that in giving him life he had placed him
under the influences ct Unitarian Christianity
Rev. Mr. LEONARD said the passing Of such series of
resolutions would not place Dr. Gibbs in the professors
chair He possible good that could rue to any
body by passing them and he considered whole dis
cusscn rreveant to the question which they had come
to decide Shall unite with the trustees in the cee-
bration of our centennial anniversary? Suppose the /
trustees stood before them avowng that they rejected
Dr. Gibbs on other ground than because he was a |
Unitarian, was that TO prevent the celebration Of this
The anniversary ought to be celebrated
and they should celebrate it.
MIR. JAY offered amendment to the last two resolu-
tons as originally read by Mr. Roosevelt which was an
proved OF. We give the above resolutions amended q
The question TO the adoption of the resolutions was
then put. and after debate, finally carried
The following committee appointed to confer with
the trustees
Messrs Mulligan Of the class of 1871; Hamilton of
1905 Renwick of 1907; Mason of 1885, Oracle Of 1915
Aen of 1928 Strong, of 1926 Kelly 1926 Crosby Of
1925 Sedgwick, of 1929; Russell, Of 1882; Nichoi Of
1885, Slosson, Of 1885, Gillespie of 1884; Jaw of 1886
dcMullen, Of 1887; Cornell OF 1882 Mason Of ls4O;Ie
Roy, 1S4 Hewitt of 1872 Galatin of 1S43 Foster 81
S44 Drake OF 1876; Thompson, of 1876; Sare of 1S47
'arran Of 1S4S; skidmore, of 1S49 Seymour of 1850
iIthon, of 1851; Trenor, of 1852 Smith, of 1853
The meeting then adjourned.
City Intelligence.