1863 | contents | 1865
Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 3 - 1864)

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Danville June 28, 1864

Board of Trustees of the Centre College met pursuant to adjournment. Present Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, Chairman, Rev. Ezekiel Forman, Rev. Aaron A. Hogue, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, Rev. Robert A. Johnstone, George F. Lee, Esq.

Messrs. Hogue and Johnstone, not having qualified since their re-election, took the oath of office, and all the members present, the oath prescribed by the laws of Kentucky.

The report of the Financial Agent was committed to Messrs. Johnstone and Yerkes.

The Board then adjourned to meet in the lecture room of the Theological Seminary at 8 1/2 o'clock tomorrow morning.

June 29, 1864, 8-2 o'clock a.m.

Board reassembled.

Rev'ds William C. Matthews, Sidney L. McRoberts and Robert F. Caldwell appeared & took their seats as members of the Board. The ordinary oath of office was administered to the Rev. William C. Matthews who had not before qualified.

The minutes of the Board, adopted at their meeting in June last, were read, and also the minutes at the meeting in Frankfort in October last were read and approved.

A letter from Tyler T. Alexander was read, giving the reasons of his non-attendance.

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Also letters from Profs. Robert Patterson & William J. McKnight tendering their resignations of their respective Chairs. Also a letter from Prof. Matthews, asking a further extension of his leave of absence.

A report of the Building Committee was read and received, but its consideration postponed for the present.

The report of the Financial Agent was read, and ordered to be spread on the minutes and is as follows:

1. Owing to the late disturbances in this section of the state, and the consequent interruption of mail communications, I am not able to present this report to the Board in as complete and as satisfactory a form, in some respects, as I desired and intended. A consequence which I regret most of all is that I have not been able to obtain bank statements to show that the balances in bank correspond with the cash balances named in my report.

2. I regret to state that nothing has been received since the last meeting of the Board from the Markey Estate. A full statement in regard to that matter will be made at the pleasure of the Board.

3. As a part of this Report, I have presented such a statement of the Building Fund as I supposed would meet the requirements of the order made by the Board at its last meeting. It will be observed that about $3,500 of the interest upon this fund has been collected. It will also be remembered that something over $2,000, the amount of Mr. Strahan's salary, was made subject to the order of the Financial Committee to meet the current expenses of the College. No part of this has been used.

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4. The attention of the Board is called to the fact that there is now on hand some eight to ten thousand dollars of the funds of the institution which are subject to investment. The whole question of investments, therefore, appears to be one of very serious interest at this time.

5. No attempt has been made to form an estimate of income and expenses for the ensuing year. After a somewhat careful examination of the whole matter, I could form no more satisfactory estimate for the year to come, than the income and expenses of the past year, as shown in the report, to which reference is therefore made.

6. No statement has been made of the present cash value of the stocks owned by the College. The present market value of stocks of all kinds is so inflated & unsettled that it seemed to me no advantage would be derived from such a statement. About $63,000 of the funds are bearing regular 6 per cent dividends; about $6,000 to $7,000 yield an irregular income at the same rate per cent; about $8,000 to $9,000 yield a somewhat irregular income of 1 to 2 per cent; the remainder of the funds consists of cash, or non-interest paying bonds, or worthless stocks.

7. The usual papers exhibiting the amount & description of the funds, the cash receipts and expenditures, and cash balance are herewith presented.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

[Signed] Heman H. Allen, Financial Agent for Centre College

[pages 33-39 consist of a detailed financial report for 1864. A print version can be viewed at Centre College Financial Reports (PDF, 910 Kb)]

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The Committee to whom the above report and papers were committed made the following report, viz

That they have carefully examined the annual report of the Financial Agent to the Board of Trustees of the Centre College, dated June 28th 1864, and found it correct so far as we have had the means of testing the statements therein made. The report consists of four parts, to wit, Paper A., a written Report; Paper B., containing amount & description of Funds; Paper C., exhibiting cash accounts & Paper D. showing the condition of the Building Fund.

In paper A it is stated that the Financial Agent "has not been able to obtain bank statements to show that the balances in bank correspond with the cash balances named in the Report" - That nothing has been received from the Markey Estate since the last meeting of the Board. That such a statement of the Building Fund has been made as meets the order of the Board at its last meeting. That there is now on hand subject to investment from $8,000 to $10,000. That no attempt has been made to form an estimate of income

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and expenses for the ensuing year - for reasons stated - nor to present the cash value of stocks owned by the College on account of their unsettled market value. The Committee have not been able to compare the statements contained in Paper B of the Funds of Centre College with the stocks, bonds, etc., belonging to the College, the box containing which having been, by order of the Board at its last meeting, transferred to the custody of the Northern Bank of Kentucky at Covington. Also the Committee have carefully examined the vouchers held by the Financial Agent for monies paid out by him & found them to correspond exactly with the statement in Paper C the cash account. Also, Paper D of the Building Fund has been examined and found to give a clear exhibit of said fund, & the whole report is, in the judgment of the Committee, an evidence of the faithfulness of our Financial Agent to the very weighty duties which his office imposes upon him.

Respectfully, Your Committee [signed] Robert A. Johnstone, Stephen Yerkes

Upon this report the following orders were made:

1. The Financial Committee is directed to compare the cash account of the Financial Agent with evidences of deposit in the different Banks and report to the Board at its next meeting.

2. The Financial Agent, having made a verbal statement in regard to the Markey Estate, he is directed to go forward and prosecute the business to a conclu-

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sion, in accordance with the order of the Board at its meeting in June last.

3. Messrs. Ernst & Warren, are appointed a committee to report to the Board upon the subject of the investment of funds now on hand or likely soon to come in.

4. In case of apprehended danger, Mr. Ernst or any other officer of the Northern Bank of Kentucky in Covington is authorized and directed to remove to a place of safety the box containing bonds, certificates of stock, and papers belonging to the Centre College, and deal with it in every respect, as with the papers and funds of the Bank itself.

5. Messrs. Ernst, Beatty & Robert F. Caldwell are appointed a Committee to compare the Bonds, certificates of stock, etc., with the list of same in the report of the Financial Agent.

The report of the Faculty, with two accompanying papers, viz 1st On the religious instruction of the students - 2nd A paper relating to tuitions, lodging students, etc., was submitted and is as follows, viz

The Faculty of Centre College beg leave respectfully to submit to the Board of Trustees and through them to the Synod of Kentucky the following report for the academical year closing the 30th of June 1864.

The Faculty - The death of Dr. Green, which occurred near the close of the last academical year, left us without a President at the opening of the present term. The vacancy having been happily filled by the election of Dr. William L. Breckinridge by the Board at their meeting in October, we were speedily relieved from the inconvenience and injury which the want of a President inflicted upon us. Dr. Breckinridge accepted the office of President on the 29th of October and immediately

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entered upon the duties thereof.

Prof. Cooper, who was recalled to his chair in the College by the Board at its meeting in June last, returned and entered upon his duties on the 5th of October.

We regret to add that Prof. Patterson has felt constrained by his circumstances to resign the Chair of Mathematics, which is now vacant. His colleagues who now remain regard this as a very serious loss to the College. The duties of his chair have been discharged in part by the other members of the Faculty, and in part by Rev. J. J. Cooke, who was invited by the Faculty to undertake this work. Mr. Cooke entered upon the work on the 1st day of March. The Faculty did not feel authorized to make any contract with Mr. Cooke, but left the whole matter to the Board to make such compensation as they might consider just. We believe, however, that the Board will be inclined to deal in a liberal & generous manner with him.

In the opening of the session, before a President was elected, and before Prof. Cooper was able to return, we were in our weak condition constrained to secure the assistance of an additional instructor to fill Prof. Cooper's place. The Faculty, with the approval of the Financial Committee, secured the services of the Rev. H. H. Allen. The allowance made him appears in the Financial report.

Prof. Matthews is still absent on leave, and the circumstances of his case will be made known to the Board by a letter addressed by him to the Secretary of the Board, and which will be offered for your consideration.

It must be left to the Board to determine all questions relating to his recall, as well as to filling the vacancy

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occasioned by the resignation of Prof. Patterson. From their mutual bearing we suppose these two subjects must be considered together.

Students - It gives us pleasure to state, as an evidence of returning prosperity, a considerable increase of students. The total number last year was 57; this year 105 in the College proper. In the Preparatory, last year 48; this year 105.

A subject of still higher gratification and more devout thankfulness is found in a most cheering season of religious interest enjoyed during the present year, and the hopeful conversion of 23 students in the College Proper: 7 in the Preparatory besides about 37 other persons of the town or connected with the Presbyterian School in this place. Total number of professors of religion in the College Proper 53.

The quiet of the College was hardly disturbed in the earlier part of the session, and nothing either in their habits of study or the general deportment of the students calls for special remark. More recently the community, and of course the students, were thrown into a high state of excitement for a few days by a raid into our state which threatened at one time to visit our section. Such things cannot fail to be injurious to regular habits of study.

The following students, having passed their final examination, are recommended for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, viz James Foster Barbour, Obadiah Brumfield, Henry M. Buford, William M. Hersman, Edward W. C. Humphrey, Robert L. Irvine, William J. Lapsley, Samuel McKee, James G. Moore, Alfred B. Nelson, Joseph M. Scott, Edward H. Semple, Henry A. Skomp, Joseph McDowell Wallace.

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It is the desire of the Board that the religious instruction of the students shall form a very special & important part of the President's labors. The Professors are also expected to assist him in this great work. The Faculty, in connection with Messrs. Johnstone and Forman, are requested to submit to the June meeting of the Board a special report on the religious instruction of the students, and propose some plan of instruction in this department for the consideration of the Board.

The President and professors, having maturely considered the subject to which this order of the Board of Trustees refers, respectfully submit this report.

There is no difference of opinion among us as to the importance of this department of instruction above all others, understanding, as we do, by the religious instruction of the students, exertions to fix in their minds just and clear knowledge of divine things, and to bring them, by God's blessing, under the saving influences of His revealed word. This institution was founded by His servants with a view to the liberal education of the sons of His people, in which they embraced as a leading thought and a main desire their training on Christian principles, and the constant inculcation of divine truth - in the special hope that He would be pleased to use the work of their hands for the increase of laborers in the gospel ministry. The history of the College shows that He has had respect to the desires and the exertions of His servants. The large number of ministers and other pious men who have received their education in chief part, and in like manner their

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religious impressions here, makes this very plain.

While we thank the Lord for all His kindness in the past, we pursue our work as He will help us, in His fear, with the hope that the favor which He has shown to those who have gone before us herein, will not be withheld from us in our day, nor from those who shall come after us. The late manifestation of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit confirms us in this hope, and encourages us to do whatever He will enable us to do, for the promotion of the great ends of the Institution.

We do not withhold from the Board a frank expression of our sense of the difficulties attending this work of religious instruction, even in a Christian College. The students, for the most part, come out of the families of God's people, but so many of them as have not been renewed by His grace, come to us with the old evil heart of unbelief, and this does not love to study, as it does not love to follow, the word of God.

Then, there may be found some difficulty in adjusting the direct religious instruction of all the classes to their other studies, in such arrangements as will satisfy all concerned, touching the due proportions of each. It is not desirable to excite the discontent of parents, who do not highly value religious knowledge in their children, by seeming to engage their attention to it in too great proportion to other subjects of study.

There are inconveniences too, in calling them together at other times than those recognized as College hours, so many of them lodging at distant places - even for miles around the town - while we do not think that much good is to be expected for the students from reluctant and compulsory attendance on religious instruction at hours

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and under circumstances inconvenient and distasteful to them. The opinions and testimony of those who have been engaged here for many years in the instruction of Bible classes on the Sabbath day add nothing to our confidence in this method for us - or to our hope of much advantage from it in the future, over the little, as we suppose, in the past time.

Our main hope for good in this matter rests under God's blessing,

1st. On the simple, clear, and faithful preaching of the gospel on which, we think, the students ought to be induced to wait by all such influences as can be wisely used, and by all the attractions which can be justly offered to them with the least that might be repulsive, reserving every authoritative requirement as a final necessity. They understand our rules, our wishes, and our expectations & we believe they rarely violate them. While we do not habitually institute inquiries on this subject in any formal manner.

2nd. On apt, judicious, and frequent mingling with regular instruction in their usual studies, of the applications of divine truth to other branches of knowledge, and its appeals to the heart and the conscience. There are few, if there be any studies pursued here - we believe there are none - which do not afford occasions of doing this, if by grace we can use a true skill, a tender and earnest love of truth, and a deep concern for lost souls, in the improvement of these occasions.

3rd. On the regular, systematic, and careful study of the word of God by all the classes as a College exercise.

We believe that it would comport with the pious

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and wise designs of the founders of this institution, with the views of its best friends and supporters in this day, and with the solid advantage of the students, for the life that now is, and for that which is to come, to make the sacred scriptures a text book for every class throughout the entire course of instruction.

Accordingly, we recommend to the Board of Trustees to order an arrangement which will give to each class a weekly recitation on the word of God in our own tongue - with such use of the original as may seem meet to the instructor. And we judge that the most suitable time for this exercise will be the first hour on Monday morning, beginning the secular labors of the week with this sacred study. We think the aim ought to be to interest the students in the divine Word for its plain sense, in hope that the Holy Spirit will apply it to their minds with its saving power, as that which is able to make one wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus, while we would leave the more precise methods of instruction, in their details, to the judgment of the Teacher.

In behalf of the Faculty [signed] William L. Breckinridge

This paper, after having received the approval of the Faculty of the College, was submitted to the two members of the Board of Trustees - joined with the Faculty this Committee - whose views on the subject had not been communicated to us when this report was put in the hands of the Secretary of the Board.

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By the 5th section of the 2nd Chapter of the laws adopted by the Board of Trustees, it is made the duty of the Faculty ... to propose to the Trustees any laws and measures by which in their judgment the system of instruction and discipline may be improved

Although perhaps not in strict accordance with the letter of this law, yet the Faculty trust they are not violating its spirit, or in any manner transcending the bounds of propriety, in calling the attention of the Board to several matters not alluded to in their report, which they consider of more or less importance to the general welfare of the College.

1st. Tuitions - In the opinion of the Faculty the subject of tuitions needs a careful consideration at the hands of the Board. The present rate was established either at the foundation or during the earlier period of the existence of the College. At that time every article of prime necessity could be procured at less than one-half its present cost. Wood was then $1.00 per cord - it is now $5.00; flour $2.00 per 100 lbs., it is now $4.50; meal 25 cents per bushel, now $1.50; meats then 3 to 5 cents a pound, now 10 to 15 cents; coffee, sugar, etc., in the same proportion. The value of money has changed more than 100 per cent. If $33.00 was proper in 1830, it appears to us that not less than $60 would be proper now. At present all the primary schools in the state charge more than the College.

The support of the Faculty, and the increase of the library and of apparatus to illustrate the physical sciences, require an enlarged income. The College is largely patronized by a class who are abundantly able to pay every necessary expense in the education of

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their sons. We see no sufficient reason why the children of the rich should be supported, in whole or part, by the College, and at the public charge.

Without, however, developing the argument further we would simply but respectfully suggest the propriety of raising the price of tuition to $60 per annum, payable semi-annually in advance.

There is one class, viz ministers of the gospel, upon whom this charge might bear heavily. We see, however, no reason why an exception should not be made in their favor.

Public sentiment & the usages of society, in other matters, would justify such a course. It is our opinion that the sons of all ministers, whether living or dead, ought to be educated without charge for tuition. The liberality of the churches has given its endowment to the College, and this favor to the children of their Pastors would doubtless tend to open the heart of many a generous Christian to still farther efforts and sacrifices in its behalf.

There may be ministers who are able to pay for the education of their sons, but the number is so small, and the difficulties of making the discrimination so great, that in our opinion it will be best to make the rule universal. The support of the ministry is so inadequate, and is felt by all Christian people so to be, that we suppose all will concur that this is but a small and inadequate return by the Public for the services of this self-sacrificing class. And no more proper time could be found for making this change than the present time, when the attention of the people is directed to the important subject of a more liberal support of the ministry.

Raising the price of tuition may have a tendency, we

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fear, to exclude students of limited means from the advantages of this school. This we would lament. They are, as a general rule, our best students. But we think that much can be done by the judicious use of the scholarships under the direction of the Board. A number of these scholarships have been bought & we suppose the Board can use them at their discretion. We may add that, while the Board has not been in circumstances to bestow gratuitous instruction upon all, yet no young man, as far as our knowledge extends, has ever been absolutely excluded from our classes because he was unable to pay his tuition.

Few, it is true, have ever accepted this gratuity, except those for whom special provision has been made, yet something has been done, and more may be done for a class so well deserving consideration.

The object of the Faculty is, while providing for a more liberal support and equipment of the College, to impose increased rates of Tuition only on those who are in circumstances to bear all the expense of the education of their children.

2nd. Lodging for the students - It is the opinion of the Faculty that there is a pressing necessity to provide for lodging our students. We have observed with regret a growing indisposition on the part of our citizens to take boarders into their families. The difficulties we encountered the present year in securing lodging for our students were serious, and had our number equaled that of former years, would have been, as far as we can see, insurmountable. The only practical remedy that occurs to us is to provide lodgings for at least a portion of our students. Under the present disturbed

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condition of affairs, and at the existing high rates for labor and building materials, it may be impossible for the Board to take immediate steps for our relief, but we think its attention should be fixed upon the subject, that prompt action may be taken as soon as circumstances will permit.

In connection with this subject, and in the line of some suggestions we have made in relation to tuitions, we cannot forbear to suggest the propriety of fixing the attention of the Christian people of our Synod upon the importance of erecting a Hall for the special benefit of the sons of our preachers. We believe the subject will commend itself to their favor, and if accomplished may contribute its mite to the aid of our ministers, now so inadequately provided for.

3rd. Division of labor among the members of the Faculty - Upon this subject we would make the following suggestions: a large amount of labor, outside of the mere instruction in the classroom, must devolve upon the Faculty. For the present this labor ought to be distributed as equally as possible among the members of the same. To effect this we recommend (A) The appointment of the Junior member of the Faculty (unless he be Professor of the Natural Sciences) to be Librarian. It shall be his duty to buy, receive, arrange, label, keep, let out, gather back into the library all books belonging to it, and do all other things properly belonging to the office of Librarian. (B) It shall in like manner be the duty of the Prof. of Natural Science to buy, receive, arrange, etc., all minerals and all apparatus belonging to his department & to discharge all duties relating to it. (C) It shall be the duty of the next junior professor (not the Prof. of Natural Science) to take charge of the College grounds, buildings, etc., to report to the Committee

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of Repairs all necessary improvements & repairs, to provide fuel, superintend the janitor, and to do everything necessary to secure the grounds & buildings from damage & to furnish every thing necessary for conducting the ordinary exercises in College, but to make no permanent improvement without the order of the Board. (D) To the next junior professor (not the Prof. of Natural Science) shall be committed the Faculty records, roll-grade book, all advertising, printing circulars, catalogues, etc. (E) The President shall take charge of the matriculation book, shall conduct all official correspondence, either with parents or students, etc. (F) If there be additional professors to whom no work has been assigned by this arrangement, the Faculty shall have authority to put upon them either a just portion of this work, or of any other necessary work, so as to equalize the labor of the different members of this body. All these individuals shall, however, work under the control of the entire Faculty. All books, apparatus, minerals, etc., shall be purchased under the direction of the Faculty. All matters of importance shall be decided by the joint body, and a full and complete record be kept. Each of these persons shall prepare an annual report which shall be submitted to the Faculty and this body shall report to the Board of Trustees at its regular annual meeting.

Nothing here said is intended to apply to the small annual appropriation to the Chemical Department, for materials consumed in the ordinary experiments and repair of Apparatus in this department. The Professor in charge shall have absolute control of this expenditure, but shall report

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annually to the Board. Nor is it intended to forbid any exchange of work which may be agreeable to the Professors themselves.

In conclusion, the Faculty would distinctly disavow any purpose or desire of infringing upon the rights of the Board or in any manner enlarging their own. The work, which is laid out for them in the above scheme, we believe the Board can find no one else willing to undertake. We would be glad to have associated with us, in any part of it, any person or persons whom the Board might appoint.

Dr. Breckinridge desired to express his dissent from the second paragraph of section 2.

The further consideration of this report was postponed for the present.

A paper exhibiting a detailed statement of expenditures in his department, since his appointment to his present chair was made by Mr. Beatty. The paper was received & the Secretary directed to file it.

The Board then took recess until 3 o'clock p.m.

3 o'clock p.m. Board reassembled.

The report of the Faculty, having been read, was adopted and the Faculty directed to carry out the suggestions therein contained.

Prof. Patterson's letter of resignation, was considered; and the resignation itself, the Board felt called on, under the circumstances, to accept.

It is ordered that Prof. McKnight be earnestly requested to withdraw his resignation, and to undertake for the ensuing year to teach one, two or more hours per day, with

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a compensation which shall be proportionate to the whole amount of work done by him.

The Board defers for the present the election of a Professor of Mathematics.

Mr. Alfred B. Nelson is appointed Tutor in the College for one year, and the Faculty is directed, should he accept, to assign him his proper work.

It is ordered that $266.66 be paid Rev. John J. Cooke for his services as Instructor from the 1st of March to the close of the term, the present year.

The following degrees were conferred, viz

The degree of A. B. upon fourteen young gentlemen of the graduating class recommended by the Faculty.

Also the honorary degree of a.m. upon Austin M. Burbank, Lucien H. Ralston, William Chrisman, Rev. Joseph S. Braddock, Dr. William H. Hopper; and in course upon the Rev. John J. Cooke, of the Class of 1856.

The degree of D.D. upon the Rev. L. M. Glover, Jacksonville, Illinois, and upon Rev. Charles W. Forman of Lahore, India (declined the degree).

The degree of L.L.D. was conferred upon Thomas D. Baird, Esq., Principal of the Central High School, Baltimore.

The Board having learned that the Rev. Charles W. Forman, who graduated in 1844 and received his degree of Master of Arts in course in 1847, had lost his diploma, directs the Chairman & Secretary of the Board to have another attested diploma for the degree of A.B., and a certificate of his having received the degree of a.m. and of D.D. forwarded to him.

The Alumni Association having extended to the Board an invitation to dine with them on tomorrow,

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the Board returns its thanks for the kindness and accepts the invitation.

Recess until tomorrow at 8 o'clock.

Thursday June 30, [1864]

The Board reassembled and was opened with prayer by Rev. Robert F. Caldwell. The minutes of the preceding day were read and approved.

Mr. Ernst, from the Committee on investments, made a verbal report, and after a free conversation on the subject, at the recommendation of the Committee, the Board directs that for the present, and until some better mode of investment offers, the Building Committee deposit the Building fund in account with the U. S. on temporary loan.

It is ordered that the price of tuition be raised to $50 per annum, with a contingent fee of $5 additional, payable semi-annually in advance. For a less period than a year the same principles to be applicable for the present rates of tuition as heretofore.

It is ordered that the sons of all Presbyterian Ministers, whether living or dead, may be admitted to all the privileges of the College classes free of all charge for tuition.

It is ordered that the salaries of the President and each Professor be raised $200 for the ensuing year, making the salary of the President $1,600 and of each Prof. $1,200.

The sum of $100 per annum is attached to the office of Vice President.

Fifty dollars was added to the salary of the Financial Agent making it $450 for the year ensuing.

The salary of the Tutor elect, Mr. Alfred B. Nelson, was fixed at $600 for the year.

As he had performed the entire duties of the year, it was ordered that Prof. McKnight be paid the full year's salary.

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The Report of the Building Committee was read and is as follows:

The Building Committee would beg leave to submit to the Board the following report.

The Committee understood it to be the mind of the Board, as expressed in their action during their meeting at Frankfort in October last, that the work of erecting a new College Edifice should be pressed forward, as far as circumstances would allow, to a speedy completion.

They accordingly took immediate steps to see what could be done in the way of providing materials and making contracts for this work. We regret, however, to say that the obstacles which presented themselves appeared to us so great that, after repeated deliberations and with great reluctance, the Committee felt constrained to abandon all purpose of doing anything the present season.

The difficulties all arose, directly or indirectly, out of the troubles of the country, and it may not be improper to recite briefly some of them.

First. There was no seasoned lumber short of Louisville or Cincinnati, and with difficulty, and at enormously high prices, could it be had at those points.

Lumber which could have been bought in the neighborhood two years since at from $15 to $20 per thousand feet, would now cost at Louisville or Cincinnati $50 or $60.

The Committee attempted to contract for lumber here to be sawn and seasoned. But while the lumber men were willing to deliver it at their mills as soon as it was sawn at rates which were not considered unreasonable, yet they were altogether unwilling to take the risk

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of seasoning it. In some cases they refused positively to take the risk for any premium. Others agreed to take a partial risk but at rates which doubled the cost of lumber. There was then no alternative left the Committee but to take all these risks or abandon for the present the work.

Second. Another difficulty arose from the scarcity of labor in the country. No man would undertake more than belonged immediately to his vocation. The miller would agree to saw the lumber. He would not undertake to haul it. This would multiply contractors, create delay, increase cost. The small experience of the Committee of repairs taught them how great these difficulties were.

Third. The next difficulty arose from the constantly varying prices of everything. No man would enter into a contract running into the future. He would only work for the present day and for the present prices. No dependence could be placed upon any ordinary engagement. Everything was unsettled and uncertain.

Under all these difficulties the Committee could do nothing but undertake the work piecemeal or abandon it altogether. It was felt that the first alternative would involve greatly increased cost, delay, bad workmanship and prove unsatisfactory in every respect. They therefore felt shut up to the latter.

It is only necessary to add that, much as they desire to have the work under way, they do not see that these difficulties are in any way removed or lessened. The Board must, however, in its wisdom say what they desire to be done.

[signed] Ormond Beatty, Chairman

The report was received, the action of the Committee approved, and the Committee continued with former instructions.

The letter of Prof. Matthews asking for the

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extension of his leave of absence being under consideration, it was resolved that the condition of the College renders it necessary for Prof. Matthews to be present at the opening of the next session, and his recall at that time is hereby ordered.

Resolved, that when the Board adjourns it adjourn to meet at 12 o'clock on Friday the 14th of October next, at which time it is arranged that the inauguration of the President shall take place.

The Committee on the erection of a Building for the Preparatory having failed to report was continued and directed to report at the next regular meeting of the Board.

Committees

Ordered that the action of the Board at its meeting 23rd of April 1856, granting two scholarships to David A. Sayre, be so far modified as to allow him and his legal representatives to nominate to these scholarships any poor and worthy young men that he or they may select, and the Secretary is ordered to issue certificates to Mr. Sayre in conformity with this action.

The subject of note or notes executed by Mrs. Berryman, in favor of the Trustees of

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Centre College, was brought to the notice of the Board, and upon the representations made it was ordered that the business be committed to the Financial Committee with instructions not to press the collection of the debt, but not to allow the claim to fail through limitation of time.

The Financial Agent reported that there was a small unpaid balance of $ _ due on a note or claim which the College held against James H. Irvine. It was also made known to the Board that Mr. Irvine had become insolvent, and that he had given up his entire property for the benefit of his creditors, and that they were all willing to unite in releasing him from further obligations, and the Board was requested to join in such release of the small claim which they held against him. The request was granted and the release ordered.

It having been stated in the presence of the Board that since the removal of the books in the College Library to the Sayre Hall, the shelves in the old Building were now vacant, it was ordered that the President of the College be authorized to remove one of the cases to the house now occupied by himself.

It is ordered that the Faculty, should the necessity arise, be authorized to employ such additional assistance, in the way of instruction, as the absence or resignation of any of the Instructors may render necessary.

The Financial Agent is directed, hereafter, to omit from his report all account of stocks, claims, etc., considered wholly worthless.

The minutes were read and approved, and the Board adjourned to meet at the designated time.

Closed with prayer by the Rev. William C. Matthews.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

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Danville October 13, 1864

Board of Trustees assembled at the call of the Chairman and was opened with prayer. Present Dr. Edward P. Humphrey, Chairman, Rev. John L. McKee, Rev. William C. Matthews, Stephen Yerkes, Aaron A. Hogue, Robert F. Caldwell, Robert A. Johnstone, William Ernst, Hon. Tyler T. Alexander, George F. Lee, Levi L. Warren.

Friday evening was appointed for the inauguration of the President elect. The order of exercises to be as follows, viz 1st. Introductory remarks by the Chairman of the Board, 2nd. Administration of the oath of office, 3d. Inaugural address by the President.

Recess until tomorrow at 12 o'clock.

October 14, 1864. Board reassembled.

A letter from Rev. William J. McKnight renewing the resignation of his Professorship, which he had tendered to the Board at their meeting in June last, and which the Board had requested him to withdraw, was read, and upon motion it was ordered that the resignation be accepted.

Propositions were made to the Board by Mr. Mark Hardin in relation to the scholarship owned by him and accepted by the Board.

The following article of agreement signed, under the order of the Board, by Dr. Humphrey, Chairman of the Board, and by Mr. Hardin, explains the whole subject and contains the action of the Board in

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relation to it.

Articles of agreement and covenant made and entered into this 14th day of October 1864 by and between the Board of Trustees of Centre College of the first part and Mark Hardin of the second part witnesseth - Whereas on the 28th June 1848 the said Hardin obliged himself to pay to the Board of Trustees aforesaid or to their Financial Agent the sum of five hundred dollars on a scholarship in said College and whereas the interest on said scholarship was paid up to the 25th June 1849, and on the 12th March 1852 the said Hardin paid on his said subscription the sum of $50, and on the 17th April 1855 he paid the further sum of $215.00 as per endorsements on the note or obligation given by said Hardin. Now therefore the following covenant and agreement is made and entered into between the parties aforesaid, viz

1. The said Hardin will now pay off the balance due on his note at this date.

2. The Trustees shall take the amount of the previous payments on said note ($265-00), compute the interest thereon to date, add it to the $265 principal, add this amount to the amount which said Hardin now pays as the balance due on his note, and invest the whole sum which amounts to eight hundred dollars in Bank Stock, or what is equivalent set apart an equal amount of their Bank Stock already invested, to this fund; if this last is done it shall be of the first investment of Bank Stock made since the payment of the $265.00.

3. This fund to be denominated the George Gillispie Hardin Scholarship.

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4. The benefit of it to be bestowed as follows, viz any one of the lineal descendants of said Hardin who may be in Centre College to have his tuition free; in case there should be more than one of his descendants in the College at the same time then the benefit of it to go to the oldest then by the law of primogeniture. When ever there is no one of his lineal descendants in the College, then the benefit of said scholarship is to be bestowed by the President of the College on any worthy student needing aid.

5. Should this particular fund thus set apart ever be lost or become worthless to the College, then the Scholarship hereby created is to cease.

In testimony of all which the Board of Trustees by Edward P. Humphrey their Chairman and the said Mark Hardin have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals this the day and year first before herein written.

Edward P. Humphrey, Mark Hardin

Board adjourned to meet at the office of the Financial Agent in Danville at 6 o'clock p.m. on Tuesday before Commencement in June 1865.

Closed with prayer.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary