The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-09
TRUTH ABOUT Law SCHOOL
Judge Hand Explains the Matter from
the Beginning.
MAS DIR. TRICkETT OvERRULED
That lie Was Is tho Inference OF
the Scranton faculty-Promisc to
Locate the Law School Here
Was Withdrawn.

Judge Hand, the director of the school,
yesterday granted a Tribune reporter
an interview and spoke as follows con-
cerning the schools troubles:
Some of the faculty and trustees of
the law school came here from Carlisle
last summer with view. as stated by
them, of removing the whole depart
ment oi the law school to Scranton.
1t was then represented that other cities
were rivals for the school and that Car
lisle did not furnish sufficient facilities
connected with the course to give the
students the best and broadest advan-
tages in the administration of the law.
The matter was presented to the public
through the board of trade. The officers
of the college expressed themselves as
we'll pleased with the facilities and ad-
vantages presented at Scranton both
by the bar and the public.
Or. Trickett arranged with some
gentlemen TO act as an advisory board
here and wrote asking me to act as Il
director with the Others. None of these
gentlemen had any power given them
from the faculty or trustees of Dickin-
son college and did not suppose they had
any power except in an advisory way. |
at first declined tn act because for want
of time to attend to my regular duties.
but en the urgency of Dr.. Trickett. who
said he had secured the cooperation
of the members of the local board ON
the assumption that | would act, ac-
quiesced understanding that all official
acts and responsibilities would be un-
dertaken by the board of the college it
self.
Wrote TO nr. Trickctt.
"On returning from my summer vaca-
ton | found that the faculty We're not
vet prepared to bring the whole depart
ment of the law school here as at first
proposed, but had decided to start the
school. preliminary, as | supposed To
the first proposition. l assisted Dr.
Trickett in procuring members of the
bar to deliver lectures and look after
the instruction of the students. DR..
Trickett stating also that he would de-
liver lectures during one week of each
month Sometime after the school
opened I learned through Mr.. Ballen-
tine. an attorney here in Scranton and Il
graduate of Dickinson, who had been
asked by DR.. Trickett to act as sec
retary here, that there was no idea or
bringing the school here permanently. |
at once wrote on Dec. Is to DR.. Trick
EFT stating that | did not think that the
public here would be satisfied with this
arrangement: that it put me and the
people of Scranton in an equiVocal posi-
tion. | thought the frank way was for
them to decide at once what they would
do and either bring the school here or
send some one here permanently to look
after it and be responsible for 1t. for
had no power and yet seemed to be held
to sort of responsibility. If they de-
cided not To bring the school here they
should frankly tell the students so and
ask them to go to the parent school.
said in my letter felt ought to be re-
lievcd from the position of director.
"Dr. Trickett at once answered ana
acuueSCed i'm my letter and said they
had arranged to discontinue the school
and arrange for the students He
wrote to this effect to Mr.. Ballentine
| and authorized him to make such ar
| rangementS as he could for the students.
| Offering to take them at Carlisle free OF
educational charge except the $40 for
| the degree conferred at the close of the
year. A few of the students accepted
| this proposition. Most of them pre-
ferred to remain here and complete
their studies to the end of this term,
| they being also registered with various
Scranton attorneys.
Asked to Withdraw Resignation.
| after sending my letter and receiv-
| ing DR. Tricketts answer some of the
| teachers urged me very strongly to
| withdraw my resignation and continue
as had. advising with them as could.
| consented and authorized Mr. Bal
lentine to telegraph on Saturday last
and write to Dr. Trickett. also write to
him to the same effect. DR.. Trickett
telegraphe back that their decision was
final to discontinue the school.
Il met the students this morning
I,., Low l,. Of Dol
lentine and explained the whole mat
ter to them. | said to them that my
whole interest in the matter was for the
public here and for them: that under
| the circumstances there was any one
| of three courses open to them: Either
to accept DR.. Trickett's proposition, &c
to Carlisle and study to the end of the
term free for tuition except only the
$40 charged for the degree: or. as they
had requested. to pursue their studies
here under the same teachers as they
had been doing. paying them the usual
tuition for the term: or. they could pur-
sue their studies in the office of the at
torreys where they had already regis
tered. In the latter two cases they
would not get their degree.
"The students asked me If 7 would
use my influence with DR.. Trickett tc
get their degree by going at the end OF
the term to Carlisle and standing theii
examination there. I answered that
would and that ] would urge him tC
acccede to this which have already
done. I understand that the teachers
are willing to continue their instruction
with the students.
II have never yet learned why the
first proposition to bring the whole
school here was not carried out but
suppose that DR.. Trickett was over.
ruled by official action after he had be
come committed somewhat to the es
tablishment of the school here. TIL,
school was wonderfully prosperous FOL
such beginning and promised immedi
ately. If it could have been sustained
by II regular college, to become YER,
large. The students and the teacher!
are all very enthusiastic. As soon as
learned that the situation would neces
sarily COMPROMISE us all with the pub
lie here and the students. I wrote Il
DR. Trickett.
Would Have Been q Mere Side Issue.
, Under the arrangement as com
, menced the school would have been
mere side adjunct and disappointin,
to our people. Enough has been show,
to warrant the conclusion that in con
nection with any regularly establshe,
college large and successful schOo
can be maintained here but it mus
have a corps of at least three profes
sors on the ground. with the necessar,
number of assistants and lecturers. al
of which can be obtained i'm Scranton,
81 think DR.. Trickett is anxious to d,
everything he can to meet the circum
stances in the best possible way
Judge Hand admitted there had bee,
some talk of establishing a school her,
| under he DatrOnayp Of tho 7 aol,o ,,,. =,
ma Bar association. but pointed on,
that n recent act of the legislature re
quires an endowment fund of severa
hundred thousand dollars before can h
started any school which grants de
grees. or the proposition to turn tn
school into branceh Of Lafayette col
lege he said that the idea was a goo,
| one and had been received with gen
eral favor, but probably no steps vii