The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-03-03

w. E. GUNBY. Cambridge, Md.
Statement BY Or. ooucher-The
Founding OF The College.
The Woman's College of Baltimore,
afterward named Goucher College, was
proposed, recommended, approved, au-
thorized, founded and developed by the
Methodist Episcopal Church, to be
denominational institution of con-
structive Christian influence and high
est academic grade.
The College was created to be liv-
ing memorial to the women OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, whose un-
stinted devotion contributed so largely
to the success OF the Church during
the first century of its history, and to
make provision for the daughters OF
our Church and others to crafty their
passion for thorough training where
''the highest ideal of Christian culture
for Christian service may be realized"
The promoters Of this memorial IN
stitution have made no appeal to any
other church to assist in its founding
or development. While some valuable
contributions have been received from
other than Methodist Episcopal Church
sources, they were not made until aft
er the academic standing of the Col
lege had been thoroughly established
and its absolute freedom from sec
tartan Determinations of any kind had
been fully demonstrated.
High Standing As A Methodist
institution
As a Methodist institution, within
less than decade of Its opening, lead.
ing universities Of the world and as,
sociations for advancing higher educa-
ton had accorded to Goucher College
an academic standing Of the highest
grade--second to none In the. nation.
/ have q complete file Of the "Jour-
mails Of the General Conferences" and
Of the Minutes Of the Baltimore An.
nual Conferences" OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, file OF all official
publications Of the College for the fret
quarter OF century Of Its active work,
and Of its propaganda-literature from
1883, when the proposition was FIRST
made that the Baltimore Annual Con-
ference" should establish an'institution
Of higher learning to 1888, when the
nrst class was received for instruction,
and I can show documentary proof OF
the above facts.
Church Relation Under Charters.
In the Charter under the General
Laws Of the State Of Maryland, 1885,
and In the enlarged Charter granted
by the Legislature Of the State Of
Maryland In 1890, the Baltimore An.
nual Conference, which created the
College, reserved NO power to inter-
fere with its management, but the
supervisory relation Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church was expressed in
reserving veto power az to the selec-
ton Of its Trustees.
AS the College broadened in its intiu-
ence and was being recognized as a
general Church enterprise. 1t was
thought desirable that this veto po,cer
should be transferred to the, Board OF
Education Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church." and this was provided for In
an amendment to the Charter Of 1910.
In 1914 President Guth appeared in
person before the Board Of Education
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church"
and requested that they release this
veto power as to the election of the
Trustees Of the College. AS q result
the Charter was amended, and IN Hen
Of the right OF veto eleven Trustees
were to be nominated by the Baltimore
Annual Conference and other specified
nearby Conferences. This request was
consented to as continuing to repre-
sent the oficial supervisory relation Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church to the
College. and the Charter was amended
accordingly.
Neglect And Refusal.
The present administration Of
Goucher College has neglected and re-
fused to conform to the provisions of
the Charter as amended in 1914, con.
corning the eleven representatives OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church to be
chosen from the Baltimore Annual
Conference and other nearby Confer.
ences, and has ignored the right q
said Church to be thus represented.
This raises a serious question as to
whether 1.-THE Board Of Trustees Of
Goucher College" is legally constituted
or capable to officially represent the
institution.
Conscientious Protest.
II 10 to be deplored that the present
administration has inaugurated this move
ment to sever and destroy all official reia-
ton between Goucher College and the
Methodist Episcopal Church. whose sacYi-
eeiai generosity and persistent devotion
have secured the existence and exceptional
growth OF the College. Those Of US who
are thoroughly conyersant with all the
facts are compelled, c)nseientiously, to
protest against and resist such an act o.
tmjusties.
ton II might make cnsy the perversion, -
1t least endanger the stability OF every
endowment In the State.
mo n G0IINKIRA