New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-16
THE PRESIDENCY OF YALE.
VIEWS OF PROMINENT NETWORK ALUMNI
WHOM THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUCCEED PREsI-
DENT PORTER.

and it vicinity are much interested In presidency
of the college made vacant blythe resignation OF DR. Por
ter Naturally the whole question of the future policy
of the institution IA undergoing thorough discussion
TRBrNE rer orter last week obtained interviews with
several prominent graduates in reference to the choice
of ne president The general sentiment seems 10 he
that new is about to open for the institution and
tc alumni with true loyal zeal arc eager TO give their
aid.
Chaunccy NJ. Depew. president OF the Yale Alumni As
ISOLATION of this city expressed his views as follows:
The resignation of President Porter was surprise b
me as believe his administration to he satisfactory to
the great BODY OF Yale graduates. curious notion has
gotten abroad lately In regard the proper policy OF
educational institutions In general and the qualifications
of their presidents in particular When prepared Tor
college free 10 say the natural disposition OF most
boys seemed TO he toward choosing college where
good time might he safely counted on. To-day |
believe the same disposition prevails. Liberty with col
lege boys has become synonymous term with license.
Fathers are coerced influenced to give their
consent TO their sons colleges where the boys
mature (n Judgment Is allowed TO determine whether
or not he shall pursue certain sudes whether not he
shall attend PRAYERS and in short to decide for himself
unnn n college which uphods rel Sion which
urholds none at all Iales policy has undoubtedly
caused 1t to IN popularity OF late years those
who enter colleges This would explain the present
large freshman class at Harvard and the small one at
Yale But the reaction will set in shortly feel certain
when the advanced liberal policy of Harvard has had an
opportunity show itself in the quality OF the men
whom 1t sends forth Into the world Then believe tho
wisdom OF President PUrter's conservative policy will
show itself"
That there directions where Yale's present
policy night with advantage undergo material modhca
tion Mr. Depew admitted. saying: am in favor Of a
larger alumni representation In the corporation OF the
college The president should be- n man VINO pos
sesses the combined qualities OF scholarship ana admin
isratve ability. think that Professor Timothy Dwight
of the theological department. would he such a man.
have firm confidence in his abilities in all that would be
reoui ed of president Of Yale. In his present position
and from my recollet OF him tutor In the col
lege know him to be highly esteemed for his scholar
ship his ability TO manage young men, his versatile
powers and his keen wit A President believe that he
wonld to all the requirements of the position Pres
ident Gilman. of Johns Hopkins University, whO Is
suokpn Of for the position. Is licensed as COngrcga
tonal minister though this may not be generally known
lie Is one of the progressive sort president OF
Yale would be highly satisfactory believe to all the
graduates. Andrew u. White and Francis A. Walker
are think entirely ont of the question shall Sug
ces AT the coming meeting OF the Alumni Association
that il take up for consideration at s regular meeting
in December Yae's Presidency and the Future Policy
OF the COLLEGE This think is comprehensive subject
for ought to bring out any amount OF talk
and from all sides.
Charlton T. Lewis sail that he was not altogether sur
rrlsed to read President Portcrs resignation. Sc" had
OF late" lie added thai he desired after
AL. long and honorable Serycebut thought ,ha he would
not resign before commencement The alumni are sub
stantaly unanimous in wishing to see him succeeded lay
a man whose aud fame Will be- In advance. q guar
atee world that the college will maintain It's posi-
ton In the fret rank When the time arrives for select
ing a new president shond a Connecticut Congrrga-
tionn minister possessing these qualifications be pro
sented there would cot be- III the fact that he was Con
gresatonsl minister. any reason for objection but
trust and believe the corporation will be inclined to
enlar.c their hld for selection Indeed. believe that
there already strong feeling existing against rcstrc-
tjon I'm their choice TO "A Congregational minister
How can the a tmn exert their influence IN the new
electionl'
The non clerical members Of the corporation woud
feel IL incumbent Jpon them representing the grnir-
ates aud out their wishes 50 far "s lay In
their power. There Will he careful and widespread dis
cus.ion Of Yac- future her gmni this winter.
rnh II is not unlikely that sOme action viii he taken
through the ALUMNI associations, not OF course. IN pro
noting the candidacy OF any particular man. which would
e an M, Sarramta,e Intrusion into the province Of the
cvrpnration. tat in giving expression 10 reasonable
wishes. A. TO the character and sahdnS Of The an Ia
e selected have spoken since President Porcrs res,
ivrnou follows and graduates AMI frCiu all without
exeeI ton hay heard the sentiment eS rc'Scd that the
time has como Tor Placing ID te chf o. IIcuch dh
who may means Of communication tetwccn the cn
leee aud tho world ~ large slch man l. President
Gilman lie has sho"h tAceuuNc anu 1Iih'hI'u''us'
ABILITY OF high order IN Positions at Yale ana at the
lion liz has made Johns 10 Lins what IL is to-day,
college OF the first ard feel th II he were chosen
neny satisfactory 10 the great body OF her graduates.
Another gentomau If the highest qualifications Tor the
Mace j. Andrew u. White. one lime regarded tie
presidency of Yale field for great usefulness. hut
fear thai his retirement from Cornell to pursue historical
In regard to r~ctnga Congregational minister, Henry
Holt tho publisher. sail: IL there Is any tIing In the
charter of the college to prevent It's securing the best
man minister not. IL l. very unfortunate AMI should /
he reneded II would. think. misfortune to nave
such a question aStatcd IN the Alumni associations.
Decisions arrived ~ under such circumstance, are nor
iy we'll considered and the agauon J, apt TO
produce controversy on questions which controversy {
cannot settle. and interfere w'h the friendly aud social
/ ever know in the Alumni Association here came from
An attempt to make IT interfere IN association. in tile
polite, o. the college. have no'lcraa claim ty core
spondeus Of some OF the papers tha the Attendance at
Yalc has been falling off because OF tue presence 81 un
believers IN the faculty. whatever that may mem 1t
l. hard for any one man 10 say Why the Attendance D"
falling or hut you wolcOme to the results OF my OBJ
sorvatIons; can think ia all OF ive r9miheht lao
men this city. whose boys about ready Tor college
Harvard aud the reason is decidedly not The presence OF
unbellcver1 Ia tue Yale iacnlty, ,.,,.
Their fstnors hope 50
How 1t he doner
II inc album hold up the hands OF the progressive |
men Ia the faculty, there Is room 10 hope that bc
dane think II would he premature tni. Time to state
any choice for the presidency. President Gilman would
decidedly 10 acceptable TO me for That position,
William waiter Phelps, one OF The fellows of tho col
lege when asked express his views the questions
OF the presidency and the fn' policy OF the college. SAID
must keep him silent on these points II would lc im-
proper he thought for HIN 10 express his reerences
10 mead for the college. naslnuch as the board had
passed the resignation or President Porter.
MIR Phelps SAIL however that nothing beyond informal
1iscussn could lake place before the March meeting Of
the CORPORATION, when the resignation wOad probably
he ncied upon. The question VI new president would
moi cone Ip before the regular May meeting.
Mason Young. whD for ten years and until recently
AN alumni representative In the corporation expressed
himself freely regarding bttn the presidency and the
policy college. lie thinks the time Opporunc for
alumni influence the affairs Of the col
lcge more decidedly than they have done before
This" said Mr.. Young think dono through /
the dhereLt class organizations. six claSscs have
-dy al pointed committees 10 draft resolutions
rflingf al he
rho Corporation OF Yale College consists OF president
and eighteen fellows. Two OF the icl0Ws-mHrking the
interest OF tho commonwealth the unVGr-itv-arc
citers OF the state, the Governor the Lieutenant
Ten others form little self pcrpe:
b0dy-a true mpe,frm IN unpeTi). They majority
OF the corporation; meeting can he held uics, nix Of
them present They MI vacancies Their mum
BIER, and their cl0Icn nlWhYs fall npln cInhcr Of the