New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-03
THE PRINCETON CONTROVERSY.

UNJUST FEATURES or rT-REAL OBJECT OF TN
| ATTACKS THE REMOVAL OF DR.. M'CosH.
70 the Editor Of the Tribune.
SIR Your paper has recently been crowded
with letters In regard to Princeton, and then
were of character which did great injury TO the coiee.
Whether they Acknowledged not the leaders the A.
tack are easily recognized and their aim very apparent
| The JOLT determination Of the Wing and Closophs
societies faculty. and trustees to Danish the cret soc
ties from the college enforced with too greas
lenency for many years. but year ago Dr.
McCOsh proceeded to exterminate them, II po.r
| ble AS was natural, he brought upon hin.
self great deal OF Odium and dislike iron,
all those who favor these ORGANIZATIONS Many otsr
things in bis administration had already aroused enity
That he was assuming and prone to dictate where he
should advise, will deny will deny that he
spoke of my college," But, on Me other hand no one
will dare assert that he did not seek TO advance tho
interest Of his college" to the best OF his Judgment
His judgment is at times at fault so is 1t with all per.
sons But the many barefaced but improved and up-
provabe assertions made concerning his OF 40
ton should not influence outsiders in their opinion Of
Dr. McCOsh the college. They cannot be dsprOyed In
many cases. as would require to prove negative,
they been proved, for assertion is not proof
Prima facie might argue that the best possible course
Is being pursued for 1t laid out by the trustees %
of unquestOnable integrity. and many Of undoubted
wisdom In any public undertaking there always
those the outside who think they could manage bet
ter than those who have in their hands and that the
case Some secret society, sore heads" and
quated fossils Of graduates who long for good old
times" and "dont believe in introducing the foreign
element into American colleges" &c. &c, would
like to have "a finger In the pie"
IL would be worse than the "pe" Of
a printers "deyil" II they had to do with It, II
high time that tho secret society element openly
wi ed ifs I'm this words Tha
TRADE about money spent for buildings instead Of
being used for endOwng prOessorsbps Is indicative Of
lack OF information or positive malevolence. No new
building has been erected in Princeton which not
absolute necessity. The scientific building was ncces-
sary to meet the wants of that department The
dormtory needed because great number Of stu
dents obliged to pay expensive rent for
town.
The statements concerning Prof Lindsey unjust to
him and the trustees. He fills place which needed
some competent man and already the grounds and
buildings have been improved not only in appearance
but In comfort Beyond this he will give OF lee
architecture and the applied arts, and lessons
drawing.
That advance has been made in the number and quality
OF professors Is evident from view OF the catalogue.
The Oldtme professors stu here, in instances
to the disadvantage Of the college but in the list
find new Names such as Cornwall Bracket, and Mc.
MILAN. Better men than these in Their departments Il
would be difficult to find Prof HUNT also deserves men
ton. for the course ia English given By him In
Freshman ana SOpnOlnoft year vi
merit. Prof Guyot has been mentioned slghtingy
in some articles; this is unwarranted for his course 10
very excellent and his authority in his branch IL well
The defense OF the professors Is unnecessary
Let readers remember that tho younger alumni" who
are writing have yet forgotten their reports and tho
grades they received in various departments But ~
said at the outset the object OF these attacks very ap
parent namely, 10 obtain the removal Of Dr. McCosh
Any candid onlooker, with opportunity to OBJ
serve could note the advancement which DR..
McCosh has made. His fiery and npetuous temper,
which has been great barrier to his success has yielded
to the control Of his Judgment and where once he would
GOODNESS and deberaon. 1t is folly for hs friends 70
claim that he has built the college, but it is greater folly
for his enemies to call his administration failure and
rnous. Let this be considered no defense Of his fall
ngs for faings he has, but attempt 10 show some
errors into which his enemies nave fallen. lRkALA.
Princeton, Jan. 10, 1877.