The San Francisco call., 1897-12-15
A Saucy Letter From Professor
Hayne to Governor Budd
Causes a Breeze.
ROASTING DAY FOR THE UNIVERSITY.
Judge Waymire Sharply Called to
: Account for Neglect of Official
Duty,

Ihe regents of the university yesterday
postponed the election of a director of the
LICK Observatory TO succeed Professor T.
W. Holden, whose resignation is in Il
Iake effect January l, 1898. Professor
george w. Davidson had victory almost
III ms grasp, when the Governor read
4etter from Mrs. Hearst asking that the
election be deferred until she could at.
tend. Avote was taken on the question
TO postpone until the first regular meet.
ing IN January. Tnis motion prevailed
out 1t was subsequently, amended to pro.
vide that time should be fixed at that
meeting for the election.
The suggestion was made and put in the
form of motion by Regent Marve, that
IN the interim the president of the univer.
slty and the Lick Observatory committee
should cast about 10 ascertain the names
OF capable and emminent astronomers TO
the cad that one should be found suita bic
IN the highest sense to I'LL the important
Office OF director
obviously this motion was viewed as an
effort or scheme in the interest of some
asplrant for the position, other than Pro.
fessor Davidson, so that it was rejected
after spirited discussion.
Governor BCdd addressing MI Marye.
asked; DO you not think that each
regent should act for himself2'
Mr.. Mayre replied: What is every
body business is nobody's business"
Governor Budd-Do you want an as
tronOmer or a director Of business admin
lstratlve capacity?
Mr.. Marye-I suppose the most eminent t
astronomer available should be selected.
and that he should be a man of admins
trative ability.
Regent HaiIidi6 remarked: I'VE should
I'll the position with deli berate care and
thought. We cannot afford TO put in a
doubtful man. l should prefer to have the
matter referred 10 the president o. the
University"
Regent Phelps-So should /
Regent Halldie-The man should be g
DIST nguisheG astronomer Of fine admin
istrative capacity.
Regent Foote asked: What more does
the committee know bout The fitness OF a
man for that position than l know? What
more does the president Of the university
know than / know? Do W. want to close
the minds O. he regents?"
Governor Budd-They want to hear
from Eastern astronomers and 10 post
pOne action on this ca e, as action was
postponed on the Wilmerding School
LIIaAtCl. hS may uOL get z ulI6CtOr lot
NJ cunt Hamilton until chunk of the sun
falls and blots out the university.
Mr. NJ Marye-Let me correct the chair
man. There Is no desire to close the
mind OF any regent.
When the motion was defeated M.
PHELPS moved that Professor Schaeber
continue TO act as director until further
orders. The motion carried.
Mr.. Phelps said lie had something
pleasant for the board TO near and then
asked the secretary TO read this corre-
spOndence:
MOUNT HAMILTON, Dec. /. 1897.
Hon, T. G. Pie ps, ChaUman Lick Observatory
Con3mutte-DEAR Mr.. PHELPS: II gives me
great pleasure to inform you tnat Mr.. Perrine
mas JUS received word from Paris the the La
Iande gold medal OF the French Insti ute is
ABOUT 10 be awarded TO him for distinguished
services to astronomy have asked Mr.. Per
rlne Tor the original letter and inclose the
same herewith an original translation
As an Illustration OF the brilliant success of
ms hardworkinz young observer aud COM
puier need only state that since his connec-
ton with the Lick Observa tory he has in addi-
ton TO his duties as secretary, discovered no
less man five new comets and redigcoyered a
periodic comet.
Perrine has not only made and pub ished
long series of observations on these bodies
but ne has also computed and published the
various orDifs and ephemerides of the new
come Is from his own obse tons 1t is ouita
remarkabl that the lasl four comets were All
successlyely found By the same observer The
award OF the highest medal Of the Ere nch In
sutute 10 ASS 5 stant Astronomer Perrine will
be but Just recognition Of a most worthy in
vestigator.
believe there viii be no objection to let
ting the regents know of the honor in store for
MT. PeTrlre. The public announcement from
the Lick Observatory will be made toward the
close of the present month, i'm mediately after
the next meeting OF the institute. Sincerely
yours, J. NJ. sCHAEBERLE
Translation.
INSTITUTE OF FRANCE
PARIS, Nov. H. 1897 (
The chief secretary desires Mr.. Perriue 10
apply 10 the secretary's office OF the institute
ia order to receive the Lalsnde pr.ze valued
at $40 irancs), which comes TO MIN through
award from the Academy of sciences.
In case you cannot visit PARIS YOU have only
to IN trust to a person of your choice notar1al
power or commission, who viii receive the
d aforementioned sum ana comply with all
the formaIities. You can likewise empower
our representative.
Hardly had the interest in the observa-
tory topic subsidized when Governor Budd
startled the asse m bIed regents by a sug-
Res ton that Judge Waymire should be
turned down for neglect Of duty In failing
TO attend the sessions of the boa rd. The
Governor read from the amended rules TO
The effect that regent who neglects to
perform his duties for three consecutive
mont hs shall be dee ned to have forfeited
his office. The statutes of the State on
the subject of performance of official
Ia les were read.
The records of the secretary were called
for to show that Waymire. without excuse,
had failed TO attend the sessions OF the
board since last September. The Governor |
said: at was my intention first to sue |
a com mission 10 some one else who would |
g iadly perform the duties. but | have |
decided TO have letter written TO Judge |
WaymIre asking him ii his course means |
that his resignation has been offered. He |
IS familiar with the rules. / am personal |
friend Of Judge Waymire, and entertain |
high regard for MIN, but il is my duty to |
call your attention 10 his prolonged |
ab bsence.
Judge Wallace remarked that Waymire
mi o hava iaan parforrDip1 4 nj re-