New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-24
UNION COLLEGE.
ONE SIDE OF THE CONTROVERSY.

| SCHENECTADY June 23.-Presdent Potter, oil
Union College has prepared from his annual report
about to be presented to the trustees the following
statement, addressed to all who are interested IN
the college, and dealing with various- points III tho
current controversy as to the AFFAIRS OF the lnsVu
ton and the presidents course:
The Hon. Thomas Allen. who delivered the charge to
me on behalf of the alumni at my Inauguration, in the
course of his remarks (p ~ spoke as follows: CON
centration OF power is Indispensable TO executive CHI
Cheney Responsibility too much divided results IN NO
responsibility at all. large committee VIII snnt IL
until il finds no resting-place" took the responsibility
of governmental oversight and direction OF all college
affairs committed to me- and the supply OF all college
needs. The steady Improvement OF the college IN en-
do~ments, scholarship and reputation continued un'n
| checked by the movement OF relentless opposl"h'
took the responsibility of directing college money ana
benefactions TO demanded college improvements
and deprecated the which diverted hundreds OF
thousands of dollars from immediate scholastic neecs to
land speculaOns and though this has made me enc
mics vet the college will reap benefit in CLOSING OF the
| Hunters Point Trust
Hook the responsibility of seeking and disbursing
sums literally for annual college needs, because college
moneys not appropriated torescue the college III It's
then run down condition. have not been adequately
repaid for my expenditures and services IN this
regard and pupils have been led or left to INFER that
the often-a absent president was negectine DIS duties
when in fact he raising the money absolutely nee
/
ner suited to the progress of the times
took the Nsponsbilty OF suggesting various enter
prses helpful to professors stipends and the RESPONSE
bnty especially during the hard tunes, of directing to
practical utilities with the consent OF the donors gifts
furnished first exclusively for Art ana kindred OBJECTS
because from the first the cry had been urgent from
in the matter of residences and emOuments rs well AS
i'm their needy departments took the responsibility OF
results proved that my discretionary Judgment was exer-
cised for the best interests OF the college: 90 o.o,
| ia
upon my Inauguration, similar TO that OF the alumni
| Animated by untiring devotion to Alma Mater. for
| years have borne thankless burden NOtwthstand,
ing the period Of unparalleled na1cAl depression ana
other hindrances, has the college made IN any similar
| time equal gains or greater advances However re-
uctantly may have adopted the authoritative advice
from The alumnus quoted above, circumstances cohi-
RELIED me in many Instances TO follow 1t. Perhaps
ought have foeseen that in taking the responsibility
as redue sted would not exempt me
from envous criticism and that should In every case
afford to the capOus the vantage ground OF oiJecung
other course was not pursued Looking PACK
over my entire presidency up to this time while am
free to admit mistakes am conscious hat IN every Ss9
/ have acted best Judgment dictated; and shall
ever congratulate myself that my abors have seen aided
by several able officers and many liberal friends who, In
addition TO words OF encouragement. have placed al my
disposal aid and bcnefacons which have proved bless
ing to the college. may be pardJned refer TO TINS
measure an andote TO the poisoned shals OF
malice. $500 - -, ..
the request OF the corporation circulated come years
undertaken in continuance OF the old design congrat-
uate you, gentlemen that the close OF TINS college year
witnesses the completion without cost to the college
and with large fund for its maintenance, OF the spa
cious and beautiful Powers Memorial Building with the
noble Nashburn Memorial Library Han. WIN tue al
don OF the WashDurn Memorial Library Hail. the east
coonnades are at last erected with iaGade Inc OF
| between two and three hundred lect' NoI ohy NtIo
the contributions for the purpose placed Dy the pcs
dent at the beginning OF the enterprise III bans subject
10 the joint order as directed OF tG treasurer Va tho
college and the chairman of the Building Committee,
but $4,000, promised but nov received t nnln
some months later, was guaranteed 10 lhe cohesv
by trustee The names OF donors and the amounts VI
nh donations duly reported TO the chairman by
| appointment of the Board.
HE Powers Memorial Building, the enlarged and en-
nobed ulhment Of the old design was first used FOR the
faculty meetings OF the autumn 'eTn me steam uea,d
and wc-ghted and furnished recitaton-O rooms ana TIE
Gratefully appreciated by the students who enjoy their
use and 10y The faculty. Including tue undersigned the
attention of the Board the report ofhe committee favor
ing toe enrichment the facilities OF the institution oy
report win be presented 10 the corporation al the June
meeting II clearly outlines useful plan, DOLL eco
nomical and feasible.
COLLEGE CONTROVERSIES.
| For the first time in preparing my annual report
find myself required to refer 10 matters affecting the
college unlavvrajy The grave controversies that have
broken ont during the past year threaten Its prosperity
! Donations cease Withheld, the number OF en-
frances heretofore yearly increasing has decreased aud
the character Of the institution in all respects impaired
by movement which, if successful would In my JUG
| ment and in that of trustees conyersant with the
case effect the ruin OF the college" reitcraon OF
the origin and progress Of the controversy or discus
sion of the spt and methods OF those responsible for its
inception ana Us mere ulitAIcd II
is for you decide whether the pas to be put behind
lis and earnest efforts be renewed by all concerned. TO
place this college the position It ought rghtluy to
occupy among institutions OF like character
The resolution passed by this Board at its meeting
held in October last that there should be no reopenug
OF past differences and pledgng the corporation Of the
Board Of Trustees in every effort to restore harmony
faithfully accepted by me rs the maj dcteDlnaon
OF the controversy. No effort my part hns been
spared far as know TO carry out the true intent and
spirit of thOFe instructions have 80 carefully alb
stained from contravenng IL In any way that the strong
and inpart al statement OF ihcJs, ana inc cnectNe'
eanusing and able arguments cfcOunse defending heeI
or disseminated up this tine. Yet learn that printed
arguments and so-eacd together with parte
pamphlets and statements have been circulated among
the alumni and the public and even submitted to stu
Dents producing denOlanDg results unjust 10 the c1-
ecutNe ard injurious the college. deny their iniu-
rious nsnuatons and the justice or proprety OF their
Withholding them from tBetests OF the formal trial which
this Board instituteda trial TO which, although anon
aons and obnoxious and absorbing much precious time
every facility. The charges having been examined and
unanimously dismissed by the Board, harmony was en-
joined r. mindful Of this and the pressing needs Of
the college, do not under circumstances Of
great p OvocatiOn. ask my cOtrustees and others TO
remember that silence does not imply concession or
| concurrence my part.
BY application 10 the Legislature and by agitation in
the public prints IL is seen that the efforts 10 keep alive
past differences have been assduousy carried
since the action Of the corporation a. before. am
now ~ hefetDiore rcauy 10 opeidtc WIN any anu an
who desire the upbuding OF this college, II might seem
but college In this State and In other parts Of
the United States among the signs of the times. II
stitutions in which there nave been con
certed movements against the executive and the char
tered rights and privileges of the corporation The
ecutive receives the impact from all sides. while IL il
supposed that by such Vaccinations lac be IgnOn-
osly driven his post thus the interests and
grave public issues involved require him to remain true
g 10 the trust committed 10 HIM.
= For the upbuilding OF Alma Mater, a noble rivalry
may exist among her children, and concerted move
neDts, alike OPEN honorable ind helpful possible
without evokng the destructive sr sect or faction.
BY just concessions and IN the Christian fprt OF anlty
We may as trustees ana alumni succeed ultimately u
uniting all elements OF upbuiding In her behalf.
, BENEFACIIoNs AND THEIR Uses.
The pamphlet prepared especially" as It states, by
the assistant 20 the former treasurer but entitled
port of the alumni trustees having been declared b