New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-19
4 UyTTERSITYS CHANGE OF NAME.
REASONS FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COLGATE FOR
MADISON.

REASONS FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COLGATE FOR
MADISON.
Hamilton. n. Y, July IS (spcclaD.-Thc decision by
the trustees 70 cnange the name Of Madison Uni
v6rty to Colgate University has aroused much dls-
CUSTOM President Dodge makes this statement con
corning the reasons for the change: The name
Hamilton has always had with tho great body II
the alumni the chief charm. This comes from tho
fact that It is an older name by twenty-five years
than Madison and then it was the only name
during the heroic period IN the life of tho
Institution The name Madison adopted for
the college in 1916. It the name OF one OF the
central counties of the State of New York. Thers
may have been reference to President Madison in
the minds OF some; but those who were on the
ground at the time OF its adoption declared THAI
this reference was purely incidental II would seem
odd il II wcYe not so; for Madison was NirSinan.
and not citizen of New York. and the defender
of ultra state right doctrine. The chief ground for
the recent change OF gratitude to the
Colgate family. Deacon William Cogate's gifts be-
gan with the opening Of the school in 1920 these
continued in increasing measure up to his death.
lie helped very largely to keep the university in the
village of Hamilton. lie opposed 10 its removal
to Rochester. Ills Robert, James and Samuel,
gave TO il when they young men, After the
death Of their father James and Samuel contributed
very largely for the enlargement OF the university.
Its present prosperity IS due 10 them
more than TO all other patrons put together.
They never gave large sums under pressure. All
their large gifts came freely and unasked. There
were two instances in the life OF James Il. Colgate
which demonstrate tho truth OF this statement.
His father often had leave home SO early in the
morning that he could not be present at the family
devOhOns The duty devOved on the mother. Her
relates the fact that she used to ask Tor Gods
blessing to rest Madison University, and this was
his first impression with regard to the school.
Again, when the steamship Arizona struck
an iceberg, and he supposed that he and the
other passengers would 60 down to the bottom of the
ocean, he first thought of his family and then Of Mad
isOn University.
His brother has been equally devoted to tho IN
stutlona and I'm proportion TO his means has given
as literally Both have come to the commcncements
for the last quarter of century. with exceptions
1t is to be noted, because It IS unusual that they
have never sought I'm any way control the internal
arrangements Of the university. They have left the
faculty and president absolutely free. They have
made themselves felt only on financial lines, and
then always in the interest Of the insticItion.
\ largo number OF tho alumni wcrD consulted by
letter, and all but three approved of the change OF
the name. some with general assent and others with
marked enthusiasm. At the alumni gathering last
Mays in Boston, the measure quite heartily ap-
proved By some eighty Of the graduates At the meet
ing of the Education and University Boards there
were, after two hours discussion on the final voto
dissentients and in the subsequent meeting of tho
corporation of the university the true. The
faculty Is practical unit for the measure. Tho
action was natural one. superb building for tho
library was in process Of erection, through the mu-
ni1cencc alone OF Mr.. Colgate How natural. then Il
10 recognize all that he and Others of his family
had done for the university!
One thing more ought TO be said. Mr.. Colgate
never asked, directly indirectly, for this change:
and only acquicsced I'm IL when he told that The
name OF Madison was constantly COMPOUNDED not only
in the West but in the East, with the University Of
Wisconsin, this came from the fact that this latter
university was at Madison the capital of that state
There was no sale of the university. There was. and
there Is. no relation of slavsh subscvence II Is a
recognition of Mr.. Cogates and his famy's DEVOTION
through the entire life Of the university to its best
interests.