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

in which he said nothing about the time.
place and circumstances OF his encounter.
but inveighed solely against the false and
dangerous doctrines of Tilton's lecture. In
the same communication be proclaimed
himself the champion of the disaf-
fected and disorderly students, stating
that he had always advocated their
cause, when under charges, they were sum-
moned before the faculty for trial. He thus
tried to make a strong appeal to the sympa-
tines OF the refractory among the students.
He also did great injustice to the other men,
bers OF the faculty in thus charging them, by
implication, with undue and unreasonable
severity in their discipline of disorderly
students, and, consequently, justice re-
quired that he should be their special advo-
cate. In the same article he compromised
the faculty by saying that if the
students who took parts in getting up the
resolutions concerning him should be dis
ciplined and suspended, it would not be his
fault. This was another proclamation to the
students that he was their special friend, to
the disparagement of the rest of the faculty.
Another circumstance tended much to les
son him in the estimation of both students
and citizens of Bloomington. He an.
nounced to the audience, in his remarks on
the night of Tilton's lecture, that he would
answer it: And as it would be his time to
lecture the following Sabbath week he
would answer it at that time. A large con-
gregation, citizens as well as students, at
tended, expecting to hear Mr.. Tilton demol.
ished by the learned professor. Great was
their disappointment. He stated, when he
came to hat part of his lecture where the
work of demolition of Tilton was to begin.
that he had prepared an answer to Mr.. Til
toms lecture, but owing to the peculiar cir
cumstances by which he was surrounded. he
deemed it best to not read it at
that time. The result was that
many uncomplimentary and damaging re-
marks were made by citizens aud students.
When Prof. Gay found that his abrupt in
reference in the case of Tilton's lecture was
generally d~isapproved by the citizens, he ap-
p lied to members of the faculty privately, to
give him a written statement endorsing his
course. But in every case they declined. All
the faculty reprobated the sentiments of
Tilton's lecture as much as Prof. Cav. but
they thought that his interference at the
time and place was uncourteous and indis-
Greet. In proof that the dissatisfaction of
the students did not arise out of his contest
with Tflton, may be cited the fact that his
trouble had existed long before that occur
rence; and also, that the president, a short
time afterward, delivered two lec-
lures. refuting Tilton's arguments and
handling. them very roughly, vividly
aud clearly exposing his errors to the very
great satisfaction OF Mr.. Gay, and vet no
fault was found AID no objections made by
any student or citizen. Toward the last of
February, 1872,
A PETITION WAS DRAW UP
and circulated among the students, without
the knowledge OF the faculty, to the trustees
for the removal of Professor Gay. This De-
tition was based on the sole ground of in
competency and unftness for the position
he occupied. 1t at the same time expressed
full confidence in his moral and Christian
character. This petition was signed bv
more than one hundred students. MANY
others said they would have signed it. but
they did not believe in the principle. that |
students should petition for the removal of
professors. This petition is now in the
hands of the former president of the
board OF trustees, DR.. William Hannaman.
indianapolis. About the same time a
member of the board oftrustees, residing in
bloomington, finding that the dissatistac
ton OF the students continued to increase.
felt 1T his duty to converse with Prof. Cav
privately and confidently upon the subject |
OF his failure, and the still growing dissatis-
faction of his classes. As a friend having
gone to his room, he kindly told him what
objections were urged against him, and the
exact status OF his case. He urged upon
him the necessity of preparing himself thor
oughly In the subjects he was teaching, and
thus show himself a good and competent
for the better he feared the results. TO
this, the professor made no reply,
and seemed periectly Indifferent.
No change for the better took place. The
petition of the students above referred TO
having been received by DIR. Hannaman. be,
in consequence of the number and standing
of the petitioners, aud the grounds of their
complaints, and the rumors of hi. incompe-
tency, Of which the air was full. called a
meeting of the trustees at Bloomington.
Prof. Gay was invited to appear before them.
The objections to him on the ground of his
/ n m ~ - nv Nvnr A a -.
and no was invited to resign. He earnestly
appealed TO the sympathies Of the board,
pleaded his poverty and helplessness. He
that his sight was not good, and
his hearing dull; but these inirmities
were not his fault, and therefore. on
account he ought not to be CEN
sured. Besides, he had no parish, and
if he resigned his position, poverty and
bankruptcy stared him in the face, as if the
State University was an infirmsry for dis
abled ministers. When he found that SYM
pathy coald not tide him over rifles, he be-
gan to threaten the board; that if they COM
PEELED him to resign on the ground of dis
satisfaction, that other members of the
faculty would soon be forced to resign also.
Among them were mentioned the president
and military professor. The board were
unmoved by threats and appeals to
their sympathies. Tears also were copiously
shed, but the trustees proceeded in what
felt to be their solemn duty, and in
sisted that he should present his resignation
to take effect at the end of the college year.
They thought, If he would do this, the disaf-
fected students would remain and bear
with him.. These students had threatened
they would refuse absolutely to recite
TO him; and II the faculty compelled them
so to do, they would leave the university.
IL being made known to the students that
Prot. Gay had resigned prospectiyely, they
continued to recite to him the remainder of
the term. The trustees also requested the
other members of the faculty to use their
with the students to induce them
to bear with him until the end of the year.
fused to recite to him in the Art of Discourse
during the following term. They presented
a petition signed by all the members of the
class, urging that some other member of the
hear them. An absolute rebellion