Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-24
The Election at Yale,

The graduates of Yale college are frequently
reminded that this year for the first time they
are to have a voice in its government by elect
ing six members Of the corporation. The cleo
tion will be held on commencement day in July,
but preliminary to this all who have the right
TO vote are invited to send to the secretary, Mr.
Franklin B. Dexter, of New Haven, the names
of the candidates whom they prefer. These
lists will be received up to the rst day of May,
and circular, containing the names of all who
have been nominated by twenty-five persons or
more, will subsequently, be sent to all graduates
whose addresses are known. The general in
terest in the subject among Yale alumni is
shown by the publication in various newspa-
pers of remarks upon the approaching election
aud lists of candidates. The alumni in New
York have had several meetings with the object
oil promoting concert OF action among them
selves IN regard to the selection of candidates,
but, though the matter was discussed, no names
were agreed upon, and we believe 1t was thought
best not to make any nominations as the act of
the society of alumni in that city. Similar
meetings have been proposed in other places
but we have not heard that any have been held.
There is a natural reluctance to give even pre-
text for the imputation OF an endeavor to bring
personal or local influences to bear upon the
election.
The cha nge in the constitution of the college
is not the huit OF any dissatisfaction with its
management hitherto. Practically the control
has been in the hands of the faculty, although
in theory the corporation is the supreme power.
IN substituting for the six state senators, form.
ing minority Of the corporation but who have
been members only in name an equal number
of representative alumni, there was no desire to
abridee the influence OF the faculty, or to make
any change in the general course of man.
agement. Very few Of the alumni, we do not
personally know OF any such, have any doubt
that the financial concerns of the college have
been directed with singular wisdom and faith
fnlness or that Its present standing in the very
front rank Of educational institutions in this
country is the result Of an admirable combna.
uon Of readiness TO appreciate new wants with
caution that retains all that is valuable in the
Old methods. There is no wish SO far as we
know, to elect fellows Tor the sake Of urging the
faculty forward more rapidly in the path of in
noyalon, or of exercising any kind of distrust-
full or antagonislie superintendent of their
action. The object is rather to elect men
whose high character and warm interest in the
college will support and strengthen the faculty.
and give to the public at large increased
confidence in the wisdom and efficiency Of its
management.
Professor T. Dwight offers in the COLLEGE
Courant some suggestions in regard to the nom.
ination Of the new members Of the corporation
He thinks that no person should be nominated
who Is a professor in any department of the col
lcge, or in any other college or professional
school; because IL seems inappropriate that am
professor should be entrusted with power owe
his associates, or that the professors of Yal
should be placed in any measure under the con
troll Of officers of other and rival institutions
He suggests also, that the members to be electe,
should be persons well known TO the graduates
both as men Of wisdom and warm friends Of tn
college, and that they ought also 10 be persons
living not 80 far from New Haven that they car
mol ATTEND the meetings Of the corporation, how
ever often they may be held, and he deprecate,
earnestly the formation Of cliques and parties il
The interest Of any particular section mr. an,
particular man Of particular ideas. To thes,
suggestions might be added that, as the clerica
element In the corporation seems already stron,
enough, all the present members being connec
ticut ministers, men OF other occupations Shout
be preferred.
All graduates Of three years standing and m
recipients Of honorary degrees may vote an
NAV be candidates. From the several lists
candidates that have been published we sele
the following, VI Of which are free from the o
iectious suggested above: William A. Buclsin
ham Of Norwich, Connecticut, wilham !