New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-16
THE FUTURE COURSE OF YALE
DISCUSSION AMONG NETWORK ALUMNI
SPEECHES BY BUCHANAN WINTHROP, THOMAS |
THATCHER AND OTHERS.

meeting Of ale the Alumni Association, OF this city
held last evening in the University Club Theatre
to elect officers and to continue The discussion of the
subject which occupied cir attention at their last
meeting 1" The Election Of Successor to President
Porter and the Future Policy of the College"
Chauncey NJ DcTew, the president of tho association
in lien of treasurers report made the statement that
the discussion which took place at the last meeting had
been conducive to thirst among the members that
the supper had cost three times Oh ordi-
nary set aside for that purpose and that nevertheless
the treasurer reported 100 balance In his
hands. AT Mr. Depews question. the Rev. Alexander
ii. Ciapp presented the report OF the Committee on
Nominations, accompanied by running commentary
which full OF brilliant saes and caused hearty
laugh among the members. In reporting Mr. Depew's
nomination president. Mr.. Clapp said that some
people might think that Mr.. Depew was obtaining q
monopoly OF the presidency business. but that when
R6>shoud he elected Presdent of the United Stttes
the association would be proud TO claim him Its ehet
officer The Others nominated and elected were Vice
president Isaac l.. Peets and Robert W. DE Forest
secretary, Walter Jennings treasurer Joseph c. Jack
son; executive committee Walter T. Hatch. Charles
n. Talntor, Thomas c. Sloane; John W. Auchncloss
and Macgraner Cox. There" said Mr. Clapp, as he
finished reading the list ia of that repre-
sents all professions, politics conditions and sorts Of
men and for religion, why of them believe a
deal more than the ten Congregational ministers who
have become famous in tins discussion and of
them don't"
Before declaring the discussion open Mr.. Depew
stated that the next dinnr of the association would
take the form OF compliment to the retiring presi-
dent of the college Wayne MacVeagh and Senator
Gibson OF Louisiana, had promised TO be present,
had senator Evarts and other graduates
The discussion of the subject under consideration
open to all members OF the ass no speakers
chosen before hand buchanan
the first man to claim the floor. lie spoke with
considerable earnesness aud said in sub
stance of those who at
the last meeting went on sadly in a corner by
themselves and took their supper apart. On that
occasion the word seemed to have been passed
ing should be said to wound the sensbillties OF thu
wSrRy OF ano she% the
The watchword, and as a matter
Yet am one Of those who believe that the trulh Is
better than aery aud If the last meeting left the
that the alumni unanimous IN their desire to
onize sthem, hope that this meeting win correct
tine alumni In regard 10 the present condition Of
Yale College As to the next president have nothing
this subject. and what we might say would be
The question of the succession the Presidency de-
termned months ago. and II would be Impossible 10
elective studies | "a conservative, and do
not believe in the ability Of Q young
boy Of sixteen to map out his own
to arraicn the management Of Yale College tonight
First, apathy in doing netting to interest the
graduates in the affairs OF the college; second
IN the by Harvard aud its other rivals third,
ie, dir ground Some one ought 10 come out aud pub
iicy denoance the article 81 Mr. kingsley ~, IN
he speaks Of the folly and inexpeliency OF allowing
graduates 10 participate in the election OF trus ees
what keeps alive our interest In the college itself The
only objection that can be male to The
TO represent them among the trustees Is
that they have been statesmen OF too great Distinction
attend 10 college affairs III regard 70 my second point
lived TO saw, Yale and Harvard" Now
fear it is Harvard. Yale and Princeton In
the old days Yale was the head all other rvaseI
cept Harvard nowhere. Now. alhs! Harvard has the
lead. and Princeton and Columbia have been making
gigantic strides. while Yale remains stationary As to
siiered the rule that New. York boy should
TO Columbia. Last year for twelve young men who
TO Harvard In the sht Of these facts what are we to
do with our sons For mary generations pest there
was my ambition that my boy should continue the
cesson bu In justice send him there out OF mere
mos 9I al cnsos DO ali ac a. fesder for
Harvard. Princeton has similar school at Lawrence
VILE. Yale should have the same"
several recent graduates followed Mr.. Winthrop,
under discussion. gave tneir views upon
a son OF the weknown Yale professor OF Latin. obtain
ed tue floor and said am In favor OF that sysem Of
government which would make tho voice OF
the alumni felt In college affairs, but In
this discussion should keep in mind
what IS the true relation between tho corporation
and the graduates The graduates have rightto think
aud speak and in regard To the college government,
but this right founded Affection the affection OF
the son gives him right to Criticise his
seems now to exist between these two bodies.
may my opinion he found in tho disposition both
sides to accept facts reports and statements which
basis Thus the alumni inclined to proceed
the assumption that Yale ia completely governed by
a set OF country cergymen who resOutely turn
their backs all progress, and from
year year Jog on in the same ruts. Then they ask
what kind Of scholars be turned out from such
Institution Nothing he further from the truth than
such assertions aud little estgaton OF the fact will
chow their lack OF foundation. The faculty
the other hand and the corporation inclined
TO believe that the New York alumni take deep and
real Interest in college affairs; that they simply
from time and talk matters IN IA desultory
way. eat good supper and 20 to bed.
without really caring TO determine what is
the true cause of the existing dis
satisfaction Now believe that the underlying cause
of this dissatisfaction 10 to be found in the fact that
Yale Il tagging behind, but that she Ia awake and
ous for progress, and that feels her inability
to make her progress equal 10 her ambtou.
Tie foremost obstacle this progress lack of money
bnt the of the question issue between eorpO
and alumni IL that all criticisms on each side
should be based on fact"
NAIn al