New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-13
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE REGENTS.

ALBANY. Jan. 1.-THE Board of Regents con-
cluded their annual meeting to-day in their roolhs
in the Old Capitol.
Ex-senator Herman, from the Committee on lncor-
porations made early in the day unanimous report
in favor of granting the prayer of the University
of the City of New-York, presented
last night by Regent Reid, for certain
changes in It's charter These changes
are ~ to strike out the provisions
for representation OF the city IN
the Governing Board, consisting OF the Mayor
and four members of the Board of Aldermen; " 10
strike out the clause forbidding any religious SECT
to have majority in the Board. and l3l maxim
the Board. and not the subscribers of funds, the
corporation of the university, and giving them
power to choose their own successors. After
brief discussion of tho report by Regents
Herman, Townsend, Leavenworth and Reid, the
changes asked for were unanimously granted.
is understood that the effect Of
this action is TO allow the old Wash
ington Square institution to pass wholly under the
control Of the Presbyterians, who have long fur
nished almost its only support, and
that there is now prospect of its
securing a more liberal endowment William K.
Martin, of the Board. was present to urge
in person, if needful. the memorial OF
his body, armed with an able brief
of the legal points prepared by himself, Aaron j.
vanderpoel and William Allen Butler; but the
Regents were satisfied with Senator Kernan's re-
port.
The attention Of the Board was then called by
Regent Fitch to an attempt made by L. IL. Roberts,
Principal of SauquOit Academy, In Oneida County
to obtain by fraudulent report the number of
academic students attending that school, larger
amount of money from the Literature Fund of the
~ i,,otI how henD rfle tO
the school Mr. Fitch stated that in December he
was informed that there were apparent Irregular
tiles and falsifcations IN the annual report
of the Academy for 1872, which had been made
by Mr. Roberts. The report gave the names of GER
tain persons holding Regents certificates, and
stated that these persons had attended the academy
at least thirteen weeks. Suspicion had
been previously felt that Mr.. Roberts
was not making correct reports, owing
to the large percentage of academic scholars claimed
in proportion TO the whole number of students the
percentage &C. being much larger than is gained by
any other academy in the State
Mr.. Fitch in company with Lieutenan +
Governor Hoskins, December II made
journey by sleigh through the snOw-drifts
to this wonderful school. They Investigated in ali
some twenty-five cases Of alleged false returns 1t
was found that at least twenty such cases were
discovered that there had not been attend
ance of even day during the academic year of the
persons named. Mr.. Roberts had direct pecuniary
interest in making false returns. the trustees or
the academy permitting him to gain what money he
could by conducting it, Mr. I tch on his return to
his home in Rochester. wrote to .Nlr. Roberts in
forming him of what had been discovered. Mr..
Roberts at once FASTENED to Rochester; At
first he SAID there must be some mistake. 9He de-
clared that he had prepared the report III June,
1882. Some of the records were missing They bad
been lost while he was absent at work AS clerk OF
virtually 1i1t confessed the truth of Tie
charges and craved the mercy of the Board. lie
asked that he might be allowed to withdraw his
affidavit and renounce all claim for any portion OF
the Literature Fund for the academic year, .
Mr.. Fitch after reading this report said that he
had recently received the following letter from Dir.
Roberts under date of Sauquolt December 25.
returned this afternoon, and feel that want
the interview yon allowed me Iesse here tomorrow
to see q physician in Cortland County, who has
6s eas0' suffered intensely for two months.
resigned my place here last August the same day as
schooroom is ended. very much regret tho trouble
and your honorable Board to forgive any
derelctlon OF duty on my part, ana + 4
my life spared no shall again. have occasion
TO condemn me. L have worked hard night and day,
all my classes. Whatever have done amss pray God
to forgive With the new fields of labor, whatever
Il
Regent Townsend said that he thought Roberts
oughl be prosecuted for perjury, at least for
attempting to obtain money by false pretences lie
moved that tho papers III the case should
be sent to the Dstrlct-AttOrney of Oneida
County, with q request to that officer
that he should do what he might think the
public interest required. The motion
unanimously adopted. Roberts is an Administra-
ton Republican. and was provided with a clerk
ship at Washington by.Admnistration Repubh-
of Oneida County.
The annual report of the Board TO the Legislature
shows that reports received from 254 academic
institutions, and that twenty-five made no report.
II Is recommended that the Literature
Fund be increased to 100000. The num-
Der of scholars in the 254 academies Is
BAIL of whom 1886 are allowed
as academic scholars. In academic examinations
4,2O2 certificates issued. In the instruction OF
cOmmon-schoOl teachers satisfactory progress has
been made during the year. There were added to
the State Library during the year l553 volumes to
the general collection and 953 to the Law Library,
making the total 1926.