New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-12
DR.. WILSON'S VIEWS
THE PROCTOR OFFER.
Tells Alumni Donor "Uahap-
mly Witkdre7c It,"

Baltimore. March HIN an address at
he dinner OF the Princeton Alumni of Bal
amore tonight DR.. Woodrow Wilson,
president Of Princeton University. dis
-ussed the graduate school controversy
brought about by the withdrawal OF the
offer Of s5oa.ooo by William c. Proctor for
he establishment OF a graduate college or
rail Of residence at Princeton. DIR. Wilson
defined the university's position III the mat
er. He reviewed the results which he de-
elared TO he most satisfactory. OF the re-
rision OF study undertaken shortly after he
assumed the presidency of the institution
and of the radical change in the methods
D. instruction, showing. he said, that the
interest and energy OF the trustees and
faculty have throughout these recent years
been devoted 10 the development of 4 grad
late school,. Continuing. President Wilson
said:
By graduate school We mean body Of
-eachers capable OF giving the most ad-
Cd 20 receive 1t, and the necessary means
and equipment in the shape of laboratories
and libraries.
sffered the university Was connected by
The terms OF his offer With very specific
and detailed Plan for as, graduate college fge
offer made q doubtful whether the trus-
ICES OF the university were left free 10
10 the purposes OF the university IN deVel-
opiag the graduate school. individuals IN
the faculty had come TO have q great deal
Of confidence in the serviceabi!ity of the
plan which MIR. Proctor was Wiling TO
support with his generous gift, but the
faculf,i q whole had never formed or
expressed an opinion upon il. Graduate
students were beginning TO resort 10
Princeton. with whom IL. was necessary TO
seal in accordance with their several KINDS
and their particular needs and In accordance
with the experience of the men IN me
faculty who had had VIDE opp4rluii aie(sS
where. such as We had never had lle or
j portunity of having at Princeton IL Was
necessary that We should kho" Mnr,ai nt
instrument OF graduate life or MOI. w men
NJ. Proctor was asked how far II was nls
purpose TO give the trustees and 1aculty
5onplete freedom in the matter. he unhap-
ply withdrew his offer -.
II is matter OF universal regret tna t
ANYTHING should have occurred when
seemed TO show on the part of the UNIVERSE
rvs authorities q lack OF appreciation OF
Mr. Procter's generosity and love or me
Z university Il is 10 be hoped that the mere
-enroeress cE our plans will show that no
: purpose was entertained by any one wnrcn
need have led 10 any misunderstaiaIhs.
Dur gratitude to Mr. Proctor on pehaII OF
: the university is not, in any way dlm m
ished or clouded by his decision 10 WITH
5rsW the offer he so literally made.
= Desirable and important as the develop
nent of a hall Of residence is, however. II
Is not in any fundamental sense esSehlaii
10 the DEVELOPMENT of the graduate school,
the body of graduate teachers and OF grad
nate students. and the means OF lnstruc-
ton and TO this the university can and
= will devote the enthusiasm OF q great rae
tIlry. a faculty long established in the con-
hderlce of the alumni and in recent years
recruited by many admirable men OF hke
nuaIitv drawn there by the eNtraordlnarN
,iherality of the alumni and friends OF the
university.
The thought which constantly impresses
and leads us at Princeton. and Whlch i am
sure prevails among the great body or her
nh <
trustees to carry out a great idea ana
strengthen a great tradition of natlonai
service We are not at liberty to use
Princeton for our private purposes or TO
adapt her in any way to our own use ana
pleasure. II is our bounden duty 10 make
her more and more responsive 10 the IN
! tellecrual and moral needs Of d great ma
zion Tt is our duty at every point in our
DEVELOPMENT to look from the present to
= tho future. TO see 10 il that Princeton
:GaptS herself 10 a great national develop
r7,ent that her first thought shall be TO
- rye the men who come to her in the true
spirit Of the age and in the true spirit OF
g knowledge We should be forever con-
sGemned in the public Judgment and in our
wn conscience if used Princeton. for
any private purpose whatever. II VIII he
-olIr Measure. as il is our duty, to confirm
Inc tradition which has made us proud OF
her in the past and nut her at the service
nf those influential generations of scholars
;nd mon Of affairs who are TO play their
larf in making the future Of America.