New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-29
PECK FAILS TO APPEAR
Latin Professor Absent from
CoIumbia's Opening Exercises.
SAYS HIS DAY WILL COME
Predicts That University Will
Lift His Suspension and AT
fair Will Blow Over.

Professor Harry Thurston Peck did not
put in his appearance at the formal open
ing exercises of Columbia University yes
terday, as he had promised on the day
before. But he took occasion to reiterate
that his position was still unchanged in
regard to the continuance of his academic
duties as Anthem professor of Latin until
the trustees Of the university have taken
some active steps TO prevent him from as
Stunning them.
II still have my Office in 301 East Hall"
he said yesterday morning. But l DO
not intend to take part in the opening ex-
ercises. nor shall even put in an appear
ance on the campus Why, such affairs are
only formal, and besides, during the TWEEN
" wears of my connection with Columbia
I have attended only one of them. in 1903.
and that year ! delivered the principal adj
dress
Questioned further TO the Latin speech
which President Butler now has with him
in Europe to be delivered at the Uni
versity of Berlin some time in October.
which the Anthem professor wrote. DR..
Peck said that in all probability President
Butler would have it rewritten by some
foreign scholar 10 make 1t plain to the
trustees Of the university that DR.. Butler
would have absolutely nothing whatsoever
TO do with his head Latin professor on this
side Of the Atlantic Professor Peck, how
ever denied that II was at all uncommon
for college presidents who are not Latin
scholars 10 have their head Latin profess
sors write their addresses for them when
emergency arises similar to that of Presi-
dent Butler. "Of course" he added, when
President Hsdley of Yale is called upon for
a Latin speech. as he will he this fall when
abroad being a Latin scholar of first
rank i'm this country. he will no doubt com
pose MS own address"
Y recall an incident" Professor Peck
went on. I'm which President TIadley was
concerned while delivering a Latin lecture
At oxford. s professor Of that university
az the close Of President HsdIey's dis
course. thinking to catch the Yale head off
his guard. propounded to him Il question I'm
Latin which dealt with his discourse. Quick
as fash came n response in the dead Ian
guage. which caused great surprise and
the admiration If all those who happened
20 hear the ret0rt. There is good example
of thorough Latin scholar. Think Of the
rredica mont which President Butler will he
in if anything like this occurs while he is
in Berlin,
Why should every one judge ma ad-
versely in this seemingly ex parte case
without even hearing my side in full?'
continued the Latin professor. The presi-
dent. the trustees and even the newspapers
appear 70 be accepting the story of the
other side as true. without giving me a
chance to defend myself"
Professor Peck closed by saying that he
would have his day in court on October 10;
that the charge OF Miss Quinn, who Is suing
him for breach Of promise. would not be
sustained; and he confidently predicted that
his temporary suspension by the trustees
would be lifted and that the affair would
soon blow over.
Justice Amend reserved decision yester
day on motion made by the counsel for
Professor Peck that Esther Quinn give
security for the costs of the suit for breach
of promise which she started against him
on February q. The motion was made on
the ground that Miss Quinn has been liv-
ing in Boston since carly in February.
In behalf of Miss Quinn an affidavit was
submitted 10 the effect that she has been
In Boston IA charge OF the opening of
branch office of the bankers by whom she
f. employed. and that she lives with her
mother and brother and his family al No
7si Dawson street The Bronx