The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-12
YALE'S REsIDE NTS.
Changes That Have Keen Made in the Funo-
tions or the Head OF tho University.


tons or the Head OF tho University.
NEW HAVEN, Dec. 11.-Prof. Franklin Bow
ditch Dexter of Yale. librarian of the university
and professor of American history, has been in
terested during the past few months In the rise
Of the Presidency OF the university.
cit Is a fact not generally known" saidProf. Ds1.
ter In speaking about his researches In the sub
ject, shat the first head of the collegiate school
established by the Legislature in 1901 as Yale
was called rector instead of President. and
that from this office gradually arose the office
and functions of the modern President Of the
university. The first rector was Abraham
Pierson. He was a Harvard man, and It may
be that Yale's fondnessf for Harvard dates back
to the time she went to that university to select
her first President or rector"
When the Rev. DR.. Pierson was chosen as
Yale's rector the college authorities were fear.
full that Yale might follow the example OF Har-
ward and duplicate that colleges experience
with Increase Mather. So DR.. Persons powers
were meagre. This was when Yale was still at
Saybrook. The Rev. DIR. Samuel Andrews Of
Milford was the second rector, and 1t was dur
ing his career that Yale was removed to this
city. His duties were larger than those of DIR.
Pierson, but he was only a supervisor of tutors.
Up to this time the duties of the rector might
be compared with those of the Board of Wis
itors of an academy or college at present.
Timothy Cutter Of Stratford. son-in.law of DIR.
Andrews. succeeded him as rector. He had a
trial of ten weeks. 1t had been complained Of
DIR. Andrews that ne was a colorless official,
but an opposite charge was made against Cutter.
Feeling between the Congregationalists and Epis-
copalians was running high. and when it was
learned that Cutter was really a Church Of Eng.
land man the trustees of Yale sumInarily dis
missed him. He went to Boston,, where the
Yale records say his career was that of "a
quarrelsoine, uncomfortable man. The new
house built on the Yale campus for the rector in
1922 had no incumbent till l725 because Of Cut
Of eef w etieReassi was Nash i f%S tteG' f into oaic ,t'ai Hs
may, be said TO have been the first rector that
resided at Yale:
Five years after he became rector he was. by
act OF the Legislature, made an ex-ofhcio mem
Der OF the Board OF Trustees of the univer.
sity. He did not for five years after this pre-.
side at the meetings of the trustees. He served
thirteen years, rcsigning and being succeeded
by 5ao m hsv; c 5h1 o o GI SpIe OF W. " ip Sda r.. w Chi'
lege charter revised, practically creating a new
office, and giving the President much greater
power IN government than the rectors had had.
The innovations OF President Clap included
the establishment of new professorships. re-
ton OF new buildings. President Flap created
the plan at Yale OF government by faculty, He
feeling was shown against his innovations. '"u'n
In 1877 DIR. Ezra stiles was chosen Prcsi-
dent. He brought the college nearer the State,
members OF the corporation. But he gave up
government by faculty. owing to opposition
stirred mn by President Clap. After seven
teen years at the head of Yale DIR. Stiles re-.
signed, and the Rev. Timothy Dwight, the first
President Dwight came 10 the head or the uni
versity. His was a broadening influence. lie
had the university, idea, and he set on foot
plans for creating, departments in the college,
although the medica! school, was the only one
established during his ADMINISTRATION.
The widening influence of President Dwight
WIS continued in the policy, OF his successor
President Day. The %latter's administration
marked the beginning of the policy of choosing
a President, from the ranks OF the faculty.
which has been adhered to ever since. 1t
has bcen uniformly successful, every succeeding
President showing thorough sympathy with
his surroundings.
President Day was the first Yale President
TO carry out'tho plan so Indispensable to tho
modern university of seeking funds to carry
on the work of the college. the foundation OF
800, 900. made in 1881 and secured by Presi-
dent Day, was the first OF its kind made at Yale.
Although Yale has developed with wonderful
strides. no fundamental changes in the func-
tions OF the President have been made under
the subsequent heads OF the university, Presi-
dents Woolsey, Porter. and Timothy Dwight,
, the SpCOnl.