The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-12-08

posted and competent for his work
In the meantime, in a private conversation
with a member of the faculty, who was
urging him to prepare himself thoroughly
on the subject OF each DAVIS recitation, be
made the surprising statement that he did
not know whether he could sustain him
sell. he did not know but that he should
MAKE A FAILURE
This remark was very disheartening to
his friends who had done all they could to
sustain him. 1t proves, however, that he felt
his incompetency for the position which he
occupied; and, as an honestm man, he ought TO
have resigned. But instead of retiring. he
desired members of the faculty to stand by
him and sustain him at all hazards. The
president and his other friends told him
that they would do what they could in his
Dehalf; but he must put forth every effort
to post himself in his department.
About i've weeks after the winter term of
1872 had commenced, the members of the
logic class came to the president and de-
sired him to take charge of them in that
study, as Prof. Gay knew nothing about it.
The president told them that such a change
could not be effected. But they must 90
back and continue their Rotations to Prof.
Gay. 1t would be all right in a few DAYS.
A short time afterward, Prof. Gay came of
his own accord to the president and requested
him to take the logic class and teach for the
remainder OF the session, as he was satisfied
that he was not capable of doing the class
Justice The president demonstrated with
him, and assured him that such a change
would be very damagingt to him. Prof.G Cav re-
piled that a satisfactory reason could be given
to the students for the change. "He wished
10 form a class or perhaps two classes in elo-
cution, and consequently he would not have
time TO hear them all" Also he would re-
gard il as a great favori if the president would
r6Il6VA him I'm fhQoa farnao tho nrne;Io-t
consented, and taught the logic class the re-
malnder OF the session. Prof. Gay organ
lied a class in e~locution, then employed a
law student by the name of Ewing to teach
it. Soon it became a matter of general con-
versation among students and citizens that
Prof. Gay was a failure" and that 'the
trustees had changed their Hoss for an ASST
1t was said that "he could not see, hear,
teach nor govern" When any question was
asked by any of the class, pertaining to the
subject INSTEAD ofexplaining the difficulty he
would ask the questioner and other members
OF the class: well, how do you understand
it?" and, not giving his own view of the
matter, be would adopt those presented by
the students. The result was the students
lost all respect for him, and the greatest
prevailed in his recitation room.
Advantage was taken of his dimness of
sight aud deafness to indulge in disorder,
and to play all manner of practical Jokes on
the professor himself; pelting him with paper
wads, nlllDg his pockets with ruhberS and
pieces OF chalk, and throwing his hat
out OF the window. The professor states in
a paper which he sent to members OF the
board OF trustees at or just previous TO their
annual meeting in 1873, that "he was
prepared for a certain amount of
badgering and disorder from the
peculiar character and management
of the students of the institution" But the
fact was. there was no better class of stu
dents Qnuuhara than fhnoa - fha Cecto TIL
versity up to the time Prot. GAY became
connected with it. That was a period OF
more disorder than had occurred for ten
years; and after he left good order again
prevailed and has ever since prevailed and
there have occurred but few occasions for dis
cipline. Want of respect for the professor
was the grand source of disorder, not alone
IN his classroom and classes, but all the
stud nts who recited TO him became demon
allied.
THE TILToN AFFAIR.
The professors encounter with Theodore
Tilton in February, 1872, hes been very
greatly misrepresented by the Rev. J. l..
Gay and his friends. He has stated that
it was the main cause of all his
troubles. The following are the
facts in this remarkable case. 1t furnished
an occasion for the public expression of the
general dissatisfaction of the students with
the. professor. The lecture association in |
vited Theodore Tilton to deliver a lecture
in the course for the winter of 1871 and 1872.
and selected from the titles of several sub.
jects published in the card of the sslecture !
bureau" "Home, Sweet Home!" The lee
ture committee were totally unaware of tue
OF the lecture, and thew were GOV
erned solely by the taking nature of the
title, their object being TO attract the largest
crowd possible, and thus secure the largest
pecuniary profit to the association. But
Home, Sweet Home" proved to be a lee.
upon Free Divorce" Every one was
greatly disappointed and chagrined. None
Of the faculty, and not one in
q hundred Of the students approved
Tilton's sentiments. They were
disposed to treat him c~ourteouslv. mas
much as he had been invited by the students:
and moreover, Mr.. Tilton had agreed to de.
liver a free lecture the next morning In the
chapel on the Mode of Using the
Mind" This lecture was accordingly de-
livered, and was really OF a superior order
and delighted all who heard it,. Prof. Cav.
however, felt that it was his duty, then and
there, TO denounce Mr.. Tilton's lecture. So.
while the presiding officer OF the meeting
making an announcement. he. being
deaf, supposed that a vote OF thanks was
proposed, sprang to his feet, and in an angry
manner and tone of voice, said: at am not
prepared TO vote for that proposition. / con-
slider the lecture very much out of place.
and its sentiments very Objectionable, and
before the young men and women present
The lecture was an outrage. He had never.
N all his life, heard a more inappropriate
illogical address," etc. Tilton replied.
This is not the time nor place for discus
sion. If was disposed to rant, as Shake
speare says, | could rant as well as he, but
we will lot it pass" Prof. Gay was both
APPLAUDED AND KISSED,
it was difficult to tell which was in the
ascendant. Tilton's few words in response
Prof. Gays remarks were applauded.
The rough, sbrupt and angry speech of the
was regarded as untimely and dis
courteous, an insult publicly offered to one
had come and lectured at the invitation
the students. The next morning imme-
diately after chapel exercises. a meeting of