Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-05-21
THE MEDICAL COLLEGE.


Professor Burnap Gives Little Talk.
Before commencing his lecture on in
sanity in the course on Medical Jurispru-
dence Monday Mr. Burnap alluded to
the existing troubles. He said he would
state the case as it must appear to Il fair
minded outsider. Here was an important
department of an institution of venerable
fame and high standing. governed like all
colleges by a board of trustees, and by
board composed of gentlemen of very high
standing. 1t must be presumed that the
members of such board act on their best
judgment as to what is best for the insti
tuition and the students. Their interests
identical with that of the students 1t is
is much their interest and desire to pro-
vide the best instruction as it is for the
students to get the best. In filing the
vacancy ia the chair Of surgery they did
not rest on their own Judgment, but We're
guided by he advice oil number OF mem
beers of the medical profession, including
some Of h Oh emlneuce and national repu-
tat IN. lhey appointed 10 the
cu.jr n gentleman than whom no
one stands higher IN his profession in
this community, and who's reputation
and practice We're such rs 10 warrant the
supposltlou that he was equal to tae po-
,iUOn. Under the circumstances some
lulhE l. NUt 10 the corporation anu 10 Tue
professor OF surgery. He l. entitled to
tlir trial. No upreiudiccd person can be
made to believe that his appearance before
the class or Il few clinics Is such trial.
He must have tair hearing "a lecturer
before he can be pronounced failure as
lecturer. I'LL such fair, continuous and
respectful hearing is accorded him, here is
hO case made out against him. TIL a lair
/ hearing is a lecturer has been accorded
him it is unwise to ask and futile to expect
that the authorities of the University and
/ of the medical department will abandon
the position which they have consistently
taken. But if it was unwise to cut the
/ lectures ON surgery under the crcums-
/ tances, cutting all the others only makes
/ the course of those who do so more alb
surd. If there is any argument IN Such
/ course, it is simply arguing TO the corpora
ton that all the medical faculty are unfit
to be heard. If it is not that, then II is a
/ manifestation of spirit of strife and boy
cotting, and the question AT once arises it
our colleges are to be run on the principles
and by the methods of railroad strikers.
As II lawyer and looking at the matter in
view OF all the evidence, he was
| obliged to say to the students that
/ they have no case and cannot justify their
/ course to the trustees, To the public, or to
| their own better Judgment. TO continue
in II would be to do a grievous injury to
| themselves, to their instructors and to the
institution, and to SOW seed which could
produce only a harvest of future regrets
and self reproach. When mistake has
been made nothing is more manly than
to acknowledge It and to endeavor to
right it and as Il member of the board OF
instruction, as friend to them and as n
citizen of the city Burlington which has
Il strong interest on the prosperity OF this
institutions he appealed to those present
and he trusted they would convey the
appeal to those absent,-to abandon their
present attitude, reverse their hasty act
ion, give to the professor of surgery fair
hearing in the didactic course, and resume
their studies in the various courses.