New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-24
rA1Ks wIrn MEMEERs or THE BOARD.

TALKS WIFI dEiDIsiso vi AiA'S DC%h'''>'
The bill relating TO Union College OF schenectady
,sd in the state Legislature on Thursday gave rise
~ oucb interest among the alumni Of the College y
IN New-York Five members OF the Board OF trustees
also live in this city, and Ex-Governor Hohna1 one OF
tbese trlegraphed 10 Governor Cleveland Immediately
on hearing Of the bill. that it was unconstitutional Last
evening MIR. Hoffman gave "A reporter OF lHE lhbCNL
his views Of the bill.
"It ia n manifest fraud and unconstitutional" he
said land If it had become law, must have been set
aside charter granted the college III l|0o ny the
Regents OF the University and the college was endowed
in 1905 At various periods since thea amendments
have been made by Regents. bnt always with the
consent of the Board Of Trustees, without which the
amendments would not have been valid. These amend
menis provided for tho appointment OF the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and other state oicers' as exon
cio members OF the Board OF Trustees. and for otter
regulations There have been, and can be- no changes
Of the charter except through the Regents Of the
University by the consent of the Board OF Trustees
.'Has this been iudcially decdCdP
"Itbas sent word 10 Governor Cleveland, and 70
Senator DAILY requesting that they would delay further
action until as q member Of the Board OF Trustees
could be heard on this point"
H. H. Moore one Of the older trustees OF the college,
characterized he bill pioce OF sbrewd management
which n IL went into effect WAS not likely 10 avail those
interested IN its passage The hostility against Presi-
dent Potter he said was confined mainly TO Albany and
Troy and the alumni outside of those places would
be more iikcy - side with the president.
"What Is the history OF the difficulty the reporter
asked. .
Last surnmer the Board investigated certain charges
against Presden Potter but concluded that II had no
right TO give public expression the charges. Al the
September meeting there were eighteen members pres
eni-ex- Governor Hoffman and the exOilciO members
absent The resolution presented requesting fIesi-
dent POtters resignation, on which the members were
equally divided, but the president not casting hls own
vote, gave the party against him majority
Al the next meeting, In October, Mr.
David Robinson, Of Elmlra, was absent
and Mr. Hoffman present when the resolution was
rescnded. suppose Mr.. Robinson was largely interest
ed in the passage OF this BILL and Judge Plat Potter
and The Rev D. A. Potter resident Trustees OF schecec
tady, who have much weight ia their opposition are
strongly against the President Hs has friends
on tue Board. besides his fsthernaw and Mr. Howard
Potter OF Brown Bros, HewYOrk. The circulation Of
these discussion WILL fear, do the college injury
than nytHing else - -
MI Thomas Featherstonhaugh. OF No 80 West Thirty
third st. Of the trustees ected by alumni, OPP
posed President Potter ignorant Of the bill until
Il was announced in the papers lie sad that he
excellent with President Potter though he voted
against him, and regarded him as possessing excellent
executive ability Ills errors had been errors Of jddg
ment and much the fault OF the Board itself, which
had given him too much sway. This had now been cor