New-York tribune., 1885-07-10
PRESIDENT WHITES SUCCESSOR.
CORNELL ALUMNI OPPOSED TO PROFESSOR ADAMS
GENERAL WALKER FAVORED.

CORNELL ALUMNI OPPOSED TO PROFESSOR ADAMS
GENERAL WALKER FAVORED
At the meeting of the Cornell Alumni AssO-
ciaton OF this city Tuesday called To take appropr
ate concerning the appointment OF successor to
President white, reference made by one ortwo
members present charge Of plagiarism that had
preferred more than ten years ago against ffoes
sor Charles Kendall Adams one of the three chief cand
dates for the presidency Of Cornell University MI Ad-
ANS was them he is professor OF history in tho
University OF Michigan When his book, " History OF
Democracy In France" first pablished, some one
(commoIly supposed TO have been undergraduate at
CorneD to The Nation pointing out what he con-
sidered to fragrant instances OF appropriation by
Adams of the ideas OF Buckle The answers OF
Professor Adams and of President White at that
time were considered by the friends of Mr.
Adams to be absolute refutation OF
the charges Nothing further heard OF them publicly
until reference made them In the recent meeting
OF the Cornell Alumni. The publication OF some OF the
Of these remarks created considerable
commoon among the alumni. At the adjourned meet
ing OF the Alumni Association held at the office OF Henry
W. sackett in THE TRIBUNE Building yesterday this was
the chief theme OF discussion The most OF the members
felt the association unusy bong made respon-
sble for the uterances Of a rev individual members
All Of those present opposed the selection Of Pro-
fessor Adams as president Cornell but the opposition
based upon other grounds than that OF pasarlsn
II urged that although he had passed middle lie he
WAS still "a comparatively unknown man, and that lie
never had had the experience shown that he pos
sessed the qualifications which the position demanded
The meeting unanimous In expressing the opinion
that General Francis A. Walker the right man for
the place.
letter was received from John Dewitt Warner one OF
the alumni trustees, protesting against the Suggestion
OF the charge OF plagiarism against Professor Adams
Mr.. Warner that partisan OF Professor
Adams; but 1t seemed to MIN 10 be unfair to Professor
Adams and unfortunate for the association that "a
serious should be banded under circumstances
which make IL impossible fairly to convict and almost
that a charge, the mere mention OF which was an ln-
fury should not be mOOted except over the name or
~ l,l. for
the association should not assume. Appended 10 MI
by the Rev. George X. Van DE Water. the recently
elected alumni trustee.
Some OF the members rather disposed to resent
what was termed the attempt by Mr. Warner to lecture
the association for something which IL had not done
But final outcome OF long and animated discussion
was the adoption OF the following resolution:
Rssoecd That the secretary be instructed to Inform
Mr. and Mr.. Van DE Water, and 10 request them
has neither taken any action upon charges Of pagar
Professor Charles Kendall Adams author
ized any investigation thereof such charges
before this association for It's acton but that the
citation the election OF Professor
Adams to the presidency OF Cornell University.
There several attempts made TO fofnulate the
objections this candidate in exact language but
majority would upon these grounds, or AZ
the OF them. the resolution was lert
as above There dissenting voice to the propo-
gtion that all opposed 10 the selection or Professor
Adams. In order that the views OF the association
might properly presented to the trustees the chair
mtse to proceed Ithaca and present those views TO
the Board. The committee also Instructed 10
Quest the of Trustees TO delay action upon the
polntment president that fuller discussion might
e. had Mr. Prayer appointed such committee. John
Erankenheimer L. Perry Sturges. Dr. l.. L. Seaman,
Henry L. Sprague and Henry W. Sackett.