New-York daily tribune., 1858-09-17
THE DUDLEY OBSERVATORY.
THE TRUSTEES STATEMENT.

tHE 1hlStI.LN OLA EhLNt.
To our regret, We are again compelled to return
to the controversy in relation to the Dudley Obser-
yaory that compulsion being exercised upon Us by
huge pamphlet Of one hundred and seventy-three
pages. by which the Trustees Of that Institution
have seen fit again 10 call public attention to their
difficulties with DR.. Gould and 10 endeayor to en-
LIST the public sympathy in their own behalf. And
We are constrained to gay that if the Trustees sue
ceed with the public, that VIZ and the public, for
once at least, are not in unity; and We beg our
readers, whether they agree with u.s. whether they dis
agree with u.s. whether they have not yet made mp
their minds 10 have patience while state rs briefly
as we can reasons for still holding unchanged Ia
the opinions which we have from the beginning enter
tanned in rgard to this unhappy quarrel We might
even claim some credit for magnanimiy. a. We
certainly do for the most thorough honesty Of OPINION
inasmuch as onr prejndces. il could indulge in
them, would certainly not be in favor Of the Coast
Survey, OF whose utility, good inhceuce and demo-
cratic tendcnciesdemoeraiic, we mean in science a.
well ~ in politics--we by means persuaded.
But the question herr is rot 10 the character OF the
Coast Survey, whether actually potentially; or
whether Instituticn ike West Point, under the
patronage Of Government, aud depending upon il for
licnn; but it IL whether certain gentlemen at Albany
entrusted with the creation Of Scientific Institution
have, in their dealings with he Director Of their own
choosing, acted fair and manly part, and consulted
the best interests Of the enterprise rather than any
selfish and vain glorious views OF their own. On this
ground alone have entered upon any discussion ~
the matter deeming it to be entirely DISCONNECTED with
sny other interests or relations whatever.
Upon this question: then, We get from the pamphlet
before ms no new light. Not, however because its
one hundred and seventy three pages not full OF
argument earnestly, skfully put forth, nor be-
cause there are not in 20 much reading something sug-
pesiye Of possible causes for the difficulty hitherto
unseen; but because see, or think We see IN 1t,
under strong and intense feeling Ot personal il-wil,
determination to ruin DIR. Could and to involve him
in all manner OF alteration and enmty With hisrieDds,
and this by an unscrupulous Of the means within
the power Of his opponents II seems to he rather the
ingenious plea OF paid attorney, who is determined
to earn his fee by free Of bad material. rather
than the calm statement Of conscientious gentlemen,
strong in their Of right II this can be shown to
be so there csn we conceive be but one opinion not
only as TO the character, but the worth Of the sste-
ment of the Trustees. 1t becomes in such case per-
fectly vaueess as defne, aud thoroughly contempt
ible attack.
Az an evidence Of the spirit in which the pamphlet
ia written we might refor to various natured and ILL.,
bred ;nuepdos-such as that Gen. Van Rensselaer,
HANGED the value of his land by making donsiicn of
seven acres for an Observatory that at early stsge
OF the enterprise it discouraged by Mesrs. Bache,
Percs and Henry because il was at that time prose-
cuted under the auspices OF Prof Mitchell; that Dr.
| Gould objected to Commander Davis a. member OF
the Scientific Council, because they were not on
friendly terms with each other-a statement which,
whether true not perfectly irrelevant to the mat
ter in hand; tha, DIR. Gould requested that certain
person. bc not invited to the Inauguration that Prof
Bache Was anxious to give some other and more ma
.ional nsme--before Mrs. Dudeys large donation,
however-than Dudley to the Observatory; that
DIR. Gond considers Mr.. G.. w. Blunt Of this city q
man VINO promises immensely and does nothing at
a"--the simple truth being that he meant, and the
Trustees know that he meant that the thng-an appro-
prison from the city-whieh Mr.. Blunt hoped to OBJ
tain was of immense promise, but that ne found II I'M
possible to compass It. To say of these, and other
lttlenesses of similar character that they are IN e1
cessyely bad taste is to characterize them very mildly
but they beside very significant indications OF The
| animus of the whole pamphlet.
But come to graver objections. which, tail eI-
p.sned mus. put the Trustees of the Dudley ObserV
b'otsA'Ht
convicted OF attempted fraud upon the public
Some evidence Of this very grave charge hsd em-
bodied in an article bat the great body Of il being put
before the readers OF THE TRIBUNE in smother column
W. have only 20 refer them to that. II the Trustees
cannot faly and entirely clear themselves from this
accusation Of sn attempt to make out by garb-
irg and falsying letters, Of which were private
or accompanied with reques. that they be destroyed,
then il is clear thai these persons have case either
in Justice or reason. The act which Is thus laid st
their door is crime against good morals, and while
the proof seems clear against them. they can
neither hope for snothe, hearing for revision OF
tine verdict which hns been rendered by the great ma
oritv o; tho pubic favor of Dr. Could But whether
| DR.. Gousd- case be good one or not-whether he
has or has not fuiled The duties of his statcr-o'
whatever dclinquence. he may hsve been guilty or
may not have been gui.iy-cn this point there IS no
Ioul that unless the Trustees clear theHsseivrs
If these charges the the Observatory IL des
r cu, of their hand. the better for the can- Of
Atty Is well B. o: science.
! Ry,ra rttx isiIow FEsER-The dnn2se - !,
Il, 81 d.