The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-19

The Associated Alumni OF Brown uni
versity at their annual meeting yester-
day afternoon shelved the proposition TO
amend the colleges charter by eliminat-
ing all denominational requirements.
tabling for a year a resolution to that
end by a vote OF fully 3 10 1.
The principal objection when the prop
psition was broached, was that II would
be a detriment 10 the college TO deprive
The Baptist denomination OF its oldest in
btftution.
President Samuel c. Eastmon, ST. of
Concord. N. H., called the meeting 20
order at 2:30 o'clock. The records were
read by the secretary, Prof Albert X.
Potter. SO. OF Brown.
resolution changing the form Of the
advisory board of the association. which
was presented by seeber Edwards. 81. as
\ report from the executive committee,
came up for consideration. II created an
advisory board composed OF one member
from every local association of 25 mem
bers. and two from each having a mem
bership OF 100 or more. together with
three. members at large. The resolution
WAS adopted without dissent.
BY vote a nominating committee was
named by the chair as follows: Prof n.
+. Davis. 10 Rev. F. G.. McKeever, 81,
and Prescott o. Clarke. 80.
President Charles II. Forbes 90, OF the
New England Classical association, at
this point proposed a memorial 10 the
late Prof Albert Hardness. AZ. in the
form OF resolution. which was adopted
after II had been seconded by Principal
William T. Peck, 10 OF the Classical
high school. who invited the Associated
Alumni TO take part In the procession at
the close OF the meeting in Sayles hall
President Eastman then stated that
notice had been given that proposition
was 10 be made looking toward changing
ahe constitution of the college In order
10 eliminate the sectarian clause of the
charter.
EATON FAVORED 1T.
Amasa NJ Eaton. 81. offered the fol-
lowing resolution providing for the ap-
pointment OF a committee to take into
consideration the advisability of steps
looking to striking out all UNCONVENTIONAL
requirements in the cnarter OF the col
1ege:
Resolved. That the members at large
OF the advisory committee OF the Asso-
ciated Alumni, with F. Benjamin An
nrews. Mary r. Woolley. William N. Nc
Vickar and James II. Higgins as spe-
cial subcommittee. take into considera-
tion the advisability or asking the corpo-
ration to petition the general assembly
20 amend the charter OF Brown univer-
bity by striking out all denominational
requirements, TO confer with the corpora
tion on this subject 70 report to the
annual meeting OF the advisory commit
tee, with its approvaI to print report
and TO provide a poll Of the whole body
or the alumni II practicable before the
next annual meeting Of the Associated
Alumni.
Mr.. Eaton said that out OF some 30 or 40
botters which he had sent out inquiring
of prominent alumni their sentiments
with regard TO the proposed change, but
three answers which opposed the step
were received. He read a letter from ex-
President +. Benjamin Andrews favor
ing It.
plated for the purpose OF getting more
money for the college. mo, not by any
means" answered Zechariah Chafee, 80.
GUSHEE OBJECTS.
Rev. Edward NJ. Gushee. IS, pastor of
St. Philips church.. Cambridge. Mass.
pslian, somewhat high-handed TO take
from the Baptists such an institution as
Brown university. which the Baptists
had founded. without giving them any
1T will be perfectly possible" said Mr..
Eaton. under the proposed amendment
OF Baptists. This resolution provides for
only preliminary step to see what the
situation is"
Theodore Francis Green. 's7. one of the
trustees of the college, said IL appeared
20 him that inasmuch as the four persons
who had been named in the resolution
according to Mr.. Eaton, expressed them
selves favoring the amendment, they
were not qualified to approach the con-
sideration OF the subject in a disinterest-
ed and unbiased spirit.
Stephen o. Edwards. 70, said that fun
damentally Brown was a Baptist institu-
tion. and IL such a change was contem-
plated. he believed that five out OF the
seven members of the committee which
the resolution called for. should be Bap-
lists. Continuing. Mr. Edwards said
This resolution contemplates step
that will mean the wrestling from the
Baptists Of the oldest institution of learn
ing in their denomination. / have been
told that one-third of the students who
come to Brown are directed here by Bap-
tist clergymen or Baptist parents.
SAYS BROWN Is LIBERAL
Brown university is today more liberal
with its restrictive charter than most in
stitutions are with more elastic ones. We
should proceed with the utmost caution
and In all fairness. II this plan goes into
effect Brown is likely to become a mere
local institution.
1T would place Brown in a somewhat
remarkable position If the decision should
be taken to amend her charter on the