New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-01
NO DEGREE FOR BUTLER.
ACTION OF THE HARVARD OvERsEERs.
rHEY REFUSE By VOTE OF Is TO II TO CONFER
THE DEGREE OF IL D., ON THE GOVERNOR
AN OUTLINE OF THE DEBATE.

N~~S DSonsb O1 LIZ DS ON An@ NN'~~~~~
AN OUTLINE OF THE DEBATE.
lBY rsLEoRAPH 10 TIE rRIBUNB.I
BosToN, May 31.-The question of comforting the
degree Of IL. D.. on Governor Butler by Harvard
University has at last been settled in the negative.
No topic In connection with General Buffers ad-
nin,stration has received 90 much attention. e.
pccially among thinking people, as this 1t has
been for months of the leading topics of con-
versation in tho streecars ct the clubs, in draw
@ra-rooms and on tho street. Everywhere ono
would find people ready to talk upon 1t. aud tho
action of the Board Of Overseers to-day 10 perhaps
fairly indicative of tho sentiment of those
who are opposed to Buffers political tactics.
Many who disliked Butler exceedingly were in
fHvor of oonferring tho degree upon him, because
ey felt that by refusing TO do 20 the college would
be forwarding rather than hindering his political
ambitions
The Board met on Wednesday of last week, but
postponed the consideration of this subject until
to-day After session of four hours duration the
Board refused to concur with the Corporation in
conferrng the degree Of IL. d. upon the Governor.
The Corporation had unanimously recommended
that tho honor be voted. but by -and-nay vote
Of to 10 the Board of Overseers refused to con-
cur. The members voted as follows:
Yeas-The President and Tressurer Of tho Unysrsity
ne L. 3. Russell, Francis L Parker, Theodore Lyman.
Morrill, Wyman, Charles Francis Adams jr' Leveress
Kaw-Francis n. Weld. Solomon Lincoln. Charles R.
RSsad Hodge: J0 MSrse amos a.
ss:rs%spt Robert MO,:c r sar Moar Henry
e the Freeman
Clarke (no,.
In compensation with the secretary and other Nom.
bers Of the Board after adjournment the course OF
the debate leading to the above result was out
lined. Al the matter finally disposed OF 1t was
held that the Governors character was inconsist-
ent With the motto Of tho college. "Vertas." The
subject first considered in its relation to pro-
vious votes OF the Board. 1t was agreed that the
prccedents Of the century were not by any means
binding. Resolutions wero offered setting forth
that the degree was not essentially tribute to the
Office but to its incumbent, and that In refusing
to confer the degree on the present Gov
ernor tho Board implied no disrespect
to the people Of Massachusetts,. The Governors
course In relation to the Tewksbury investigation
entered into the discussion and, it was admitted by
members, had considerable influence upon the de-
cisiOn. But that influence not ON account OF
tho Governors attack tho Harvard Medical
School 1t was considered simply that he had de-
scended too low to be recognized by any institution
Of learning; that he was the worst enemy OF Massa-
chusetts, and that for Harvard to confer upon him
degree would IN reality be insult to the people
of the commonwealth.
Politically every member Of the Board present
expressed himself as strongly opposed to But
ler and Butrrism aud the gentleman who
most earnestly advocated the voting OF the degree
explained that he was as emphaticaly opposed to
tho Governor politically any one present. 1t was
suggested that tho degree might be 30 worded that
IL should be tribute TO the Office and not to tho
man. but 1t was decided that such action would be
han fha de vii nd the
stump" The rules were accordingly suspended.
and by yea and nay vote the degree was refused.
II was voted to publish the vote as taken.
The debate was very earnest and animated.
although perfectly courteous The chairman, Judge
E. X. Hoar, was the leader IN tho opposition. One
who WAS in favor Of comforting the degree argued
that to refuse IL would be 20 give Butler lever
which he would use to his own advantage.
This brought to his feet eminent professional
| gentleman, who disclamed any political influence
n accordance with what ho believed TO be his duty;
The anteccdents and history Of Harvard all pointed
| In ono direction on this question 1t was time
bonored custom to confer this degree upon the Coy
ernor of the Commonwealth, regardless OF his poll
| tics norals The man was not, 10 his opinion,
to be considered; 1t was the office they were
While hc had always been opposed to General
Buffers methods In politics. he felt bound In truth
| to ackno wledge that II the man were TO be con.
sidered now, General Butler had certainly as good
| and even Q better night TO the honor than many
upon whom IL had been conferred, for he was an
eminent lawyer and IN this case LII. ID. might mean
something. He would not confer it either to help
or to hinder Butler. He would do 1t as matter OF
proprety, as following the custom long established
no would, In conferring the degree forget who oc-
Another member who opposed giving the title. to
Butler did 90 because after weighing the sui subject @
very carefully aud looking at II in all its lights he
was convinced that Butler would :nub the on,ver Gr
and decline to t
deal Of pains had repeatedly out Of his way to
sneer at Harvard. her graduates and professors lie
and this gentleman confessed that he had too much
love for his Alma Mater. too much respect Tor hor
fair fame TO giye Governor buter = new ~ aha tha
culture and refinement OF this COMMEMORATIVE.
A letter was read from the Rev. DR.. Edward
Everett Hale who Is now IN Europe, where ne was Ss
illness Of daughter. In the letter Dr. Hale TOOK
ground in favor Of the degree tsu on %
sg oush IN no c to be-
considered as . compliment TO General Butler.
| r:,e two members Of the Board present from New
voted nay. General Butler is reported to have said
to Q friend who informed him OF the decision that
he did not care e about the action o. the 6oafu
| OF Overscers. lilo was not dcsirous OF the n0nor.
Butler already rejOioes In the title OF Lip, con,
fered by Williams College In 1853 or 1854. ne told
friend not long ago that ne hoped tbe e degree sc
| would be refused, Its refusal would 10 Wortn
| 10000 votes to HIM in his next campaign. ,-
| AT the annual Unitarian Festival which toos
| place III Music Hall tonight the audience cheered
| TO the echo the casual announcement that the de-
| gree had been refused Blu tier No moh applause
| was heard at any other time during the evening.
| OTHER MATTERS BEFORE THE BOARD.
Butler having been disposed Of tho Board voted
to concur with the President aud Fellows In reap
pointing as clinical instructors In the Dental School
for 1ss3-s4 Timothy o. Loveland, Charles Wilson,
Albert B. Jewell. Eugene II. Smith and Edward Z.
Briggs; in resppolntng for tho ensuing academic
year. George F. Grant, demonstrator In mechanical
dentistry Virgil c. Pond. demonstrator in operatio
dentistry; Joseph w. Warren, instructor IN oral
pathology and anatomy. F. w. Taussig instructor