Morning journal and courier., 1885-10-30
PRESIDENT PORTER.

At a Meeting of the Yale Corporation
 Yesterday-He Asks the Appointment en t
 Of Successor Before the End of tn e
 AcademIcai Year-A New Professor
 Appointed Two New Members of
 The Corporation Appointed.
 Quite stir was created at meeting of the Yale college corporation held yesterday. The matter was surprise to most of the assem- bled gentlemen if not to all, although the step it is known has been contemplated for some time. The matter exciting so much at- tention was a request from President Porter to the corporation in which he stated his wish to be relieved from the presidency, and asked the corporation to appoint his success sor before the close of this academical year which ends next June. It also appears quite likely that Yale's president will retire and a successor be appointed before the new col lege year begins as President Porter's re- quest, it is understood, is the fruit of thorough deliberation. The cause of his request is his increasing age, he being now in his 10th year. He will be 75 years of age the coming winter and at Yale's next commencement will be well along in his 10th year. Most men at that age would be willing to be relieved from the care and responsibility of the presidency of great university President Porter's health is yet good and he seems much younger man than 75. It is reported that he walked twen- ty six miles in one day last summer. He will undoubtedly retain his chair as Clark professor of moral philosophy and meta physics and continue thus actively engaged in connection with the college. The possi- bility exists that President Porter may be in duced to remain head of the college for a time beyond the limit he has specified, but the presumption Is strong that his request will be granted.
 The work of the presidency is much great CT than it was fifty years ago. Yale has broad ened ont Its field is larger. It has the Scientific department, an Art department and various other departments which it did not have then. The calls upon the presi- dent from outside are far more numerous. The travelling required to meet necessary ap- poiItments, both for the benefit of old Yale and young Yale, is no small item and tax. Should successor be called for, the corpo- ration has about six months in which to elect him. This brings out the question as to the available man for the presidency and among the names mentioned are Prof. Timothy Dwight of the Yale Theo- logical seminary, 8 man well and widely known for his learning and happy fitness as a presiding officer and a man of administra- tive ability. Then there is President Daniel c. Gilman, president of Johns Hopkins uni versity, Yale man also and former Yale professor, whose fitness fer the position would be strongly advocated. Then there is Andrew D. White, late president of Cor nell university, but his health is too much undermined to warrant his taking the responsibility until he has had the years rest which he is taking. Then the name of Professor E. S. Dana, the talented son of the gifted Profes- sor James D. Dana, has been suggested for the postion but his youth would initiate against it. But Yale has much excellent timber from which to choose presidents. An interesting fact in this connection is that every President of Yale, since there was Yale men old enough to select for the place, has been Yale man.
 Also at the meeting of the corporation of Yale college yesterday Francis A. Gooch, Ph. D., graduate at Harvard in 1872, was elected professor of chemistry in the academ- ical department Dr. Gooch studied in the chemical laboratory of Harvard and in Ger many, and is now connected with the U. s. geological survey; he is also engaged in per fecting plans for the new chemical labora- tory to be erected next year by MT. A. E. Kent, of Chicago, for the college.
 At the same meeting the Rev. Burdett Hart of Fair Haven, of the class of 1842, and the Rev. James w. Cooper of New Britain, of the class of 1865, were chosen members of the corporation.
 It is understood that President Porter has signifed to the corporation his intention of presenting his resignation of the office of president at their next regular meeting Gin May, 1SS6), to take effect at commencement.