Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-24
NO. As.

sumption that the six members Of the
Board Who constituted the majority at
the last meeting were as honest and as
conscientious in the discharge of duty
as the three who thought proper to se-
cede and characterize our acts a. wrong,
unjust, etc, and placing us before the
public as unfaithful servants. / have
no doubt but what these three gentle
men acted from the purest motives and
believed the reorganization would be
ruinous to the institution, but certainly
the six who thought differently did not
merit the harsh term used towards them
We only followed the lead of the Senate
in this matter, only we were upon tie
ground and had better opportunity to
judge of what was best than the Senate
had, and !, for one, had to reverse my
opinion as expressed by my vote in the
Senate, and to do this required convinc-
ing testimony.
1t is impossible to 60 into all the de-
tails, but the resignation of distinguish
ed professors, the absence of cadets, tho
few in attendance at school, the unsatis-
factory condition Of Col. Boyds ae-
counts, the gradual, but certain accu-
mutation of debts against the institu-
tion, all pointed to failure; and Judging
the future by the past, we could come
to but ono conclusion: To continue, the.
college would soon be hopelessly in
volved; to make the change, matters.
could not be worse. So, we assumed
the responsibility, and our action is be-
fore the people for approval or condemn
alton.
Considering the fact that Col. Boyd
was fully heard before the Senate and
hal from Monday morning to Friday at
5 o'clock before the Board in almost con-
stant session, l do not think he can
claim that he was taken by SURPRISE.
tried and condemned without q hear
ing.
There was not full meeting of tho
Board, but Col. Boyd himself may have
unwittingly contributed to that misfor-.
tune, for he wrote to several memhers
of the Board that q quorum could not
be expected on the 2Sth, but suggesting:
the 18th of July as the time and Ne,v'
Orleans as the place to meet. Col. Boyd
ought to have been ready on the 26th,,
for the action of the Senate last winter"
was certainly warning not to be ig
nOred.
1believe Col. Boyd has used his ut
most endeavors to make q success Of
| this institution, but he has .tailed, and
l believe it to be the duty Of the Board
of Supervisors to take such steps as in
their best judgment will bring about
that result, leaving all personal feelings
out Of the question.
l fully appreciate the feelings of tho
alumni of the institution. They havea
high regard for Col. Boyd, but am sure
if the success of the institution and the
retention of Col. Boyd were put at issue,
they would not hesitate to decide for
the life of the college.
1regret exceedingly the necessity for
these statements to the public, but the
protests offered has called for it in JUS
tice to the majority present at the meet
ing. 1fthe full board, when it meets OIL
the 4th Of August, should decide that
we have acted unwisely, shall submit
to their Judgment and cooperate with
them most heartily to further the inter-
ests of the college, for certainly that is
the only object have in relation to the
whole matter.
Regretting the necessary length Of
this communication, l am very truly
yours,
GEORGE S. WALTON,
, Supervisor.