1890 | contents | 1892
Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 4 - 1891)

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Danville, Ky., June 9, 1891

The Board of Trustees of Centre College held its regular annual meeting in the session room of the 2nd Presbyterian Church, with the Chairman, Dr. Blayney, presiding. The following members were present: George W. Welsh, Esq., William Ernst, Esq., Robert P. Jacobs, L.L.D., Rev. William C. Young, D.D., William H. Kinnaird, Esq., Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq., James A. Curry, Esq., Rev. J. McClusky Blayney, D.D., R. J. Menefee, Esq., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., George Nichols, Esq., Rev. James P. Hendrick, D.D.

The meeting was opened with prayer by the Chairman.

On motion Alfred B. Nelson was elected permanent secretary vice Dr. Ormond Beatty, deceased.

Letters, giving reasons for absence, were presented from James Barbour, Esq., Rev. Edward L. Warren, D.D., and Rev. Claud B. H. Martin, D.D.

The minutes of the last regular meeting, held in June, 1890, were read, and after slight correction, approved.

The following new and re-elected members, to wit, Messrs. Blayney, Menefee, Yerkes, Hendrick, Welsh, and Nicholas took the prescribed oath of office.

On motion the secretary was authorized to in-

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sert the following minute of a meeting held in Louisville in October 1890:

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met pursuant to call of the Chairman, with the following members present, viz. Messrs. Blayney, Condit, Young, Garth, Cleland, and Hendrick.

On motion the Board, on the recommendation of the Faculty, changed the time of closing the College session from the third to the second Wednesday in June.

After the adoption of this motion the Board adjourned.

A committee, consisting of Drs. Yerkes and Hendrick, and Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq., was appointed to prepare a minute relative to the death of Dr. Beatty - the Committee to report at the next regular meeting of the Board.

The Treasurer, John A. Cheek, Esq., read his report for the year ending April 30, 1891. This report, bearing the certificate of the Auditing Committee that it had been examined by them and found correct, was received and approved, and ordered to be put to record in the Financial Statement Book.

A communication was read from the officers of the Hanging Fork Presbyterian Church at Hustonville, Ky., asking the Board to waive any claim they might have on the property in Hustonville known as the "e;Parochial School Property."e; On motion the whole matter was referred to the Financial Committee, with full power to act; and the Chairman of the Board was authorized to sign and affix the College seal to the papers necessary to adjust the claim.

On motion the sale of the College land in Texas was referred to the Financial Committee with full power to act; and the Chairman of the Board was authorized to sign the deed & affix the College seal thereto.

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The draft of the lease of a part of the College Campus to the Danville Theological Seminary on which to erect its new building & dormitory, drawn up by a Committee consisting of Messrs. Jacobs, Welsh, and Martin, appointed for this purpose, was read and approved; and the Chairman of the Board was authorized to sign said lease and affix the College seal thereto.

The following communication was received from Rev. J. T. Lapsley, D.D.:

I, James T. Lapsley, on behalf of myself and my deceased wife Elizabeth L. Lapsley, propose on given conditions to donate to the Trustees of Centre College, Ky., for educational purposes, certain property now owned by me in Lebanon, Ky., and valued at twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500), and certain other property owned by me in Pleasant Hill, in Cass County, Missouri, and valued at three thousand dollars ($3,000); the property in Lebanon, Ky., to be divided into two equal scholarships of $1,250 each, and to be known as the James T. Lapsley scholarship and the Elizabeth L. Lapsley scholarship; and the Pleasant Hill, Mo., property to be divided into three scholarships of $1,000 each, and to be known as the Mary H. Lapsley scholarship, the Fannie E. Lapsley scholarship, and the Belle Lapsley Bruce scholarship; and the proceeds of the several scholarships to be appropriated annually and in perpetuity to aid young men in their College course in preparation for the Gospel Ministry; provided, however, that so long as I live, or during my natural life, any and all income in the way of interest, or lease, or rental annually accruing from said property, whether in Lebanon, Ky., or Pleasant Hill, Mo., excepting so much as shall be required to pay insurance on said property & to keep the same in ordinary repair, shall accrue to myself and be for my personal benefit. And I will at the option or will of said Trustees retain the oversight of said property, and collect rents and look after insurance and repairs, or if they prefer otherwise will turn over the entire control to themselves.

Should the above proposal with its conditions be accepted by said Trustees and their proper signature be added to my own to make this instrument legal & binding on both parties, I will then at once convey to said Trustees in legal form prop-

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erty as aforementioned.

Witness my hand April 29, 1891
(Signed) James T. Lapsley

On motion Dr. Lapsley's offer was accepted, and on behalf of the Board the Chairman was authorized to sign & affix the College seal to the papers necessary to conclude this agreement.

The report of the Faculty was read by President Young, and the accompanying reports of the Librarian, etc., were read by the Secretary. The Faculty report is as follows:

The Faculty of the College would submit to the Board of Trustees its annual report as follows:

During the past session the number of students enrolled has been considerably larger than during any single year for more than a quarter of a century. The exact number as shown by the catalogue is 133 in the College and 101 in the Academy. Deducting 3 who have recited in both, the net number who have been in attendance is 231. This increase is the more significant and gratifying, as it has been in the College proper.

Four new departments, conducted by instructors, have been in operation during the session. This marked enlargement in the scope of instruction has furnished most valuable facilities for the constantly increasing number of young men who desire to pursue special courses of study, and will enable us to offer a larger number of elective studies to the

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members of the advanced classes who are studying for degrees. Owing to the large increase in the number of students and the establishment of these four new departments, some difficulty has been experienced in perfectly systematizing our work of instruction during the past year. It is confidently believed, however, that during the next session everything will be thoroughly adjusted, and that the College will derive full benefit from this enlargement of its curriculum.

The session has been characterized by a fair degree of fidelity on the part of the students. Two students were suspended for disrespect shown to their teachers, and one was sent home on account of idleness and absence from the classroom. Irregularity of attendance upon the part of some of the students has given trouble and perplexity to the Faculty. A plan, borrowed from some of the Eastern colleges, will be put in operation during the next session which it is believed will greatly abate this evil.

The spiritual condition of the College has not been, we grieve to say, what we have hoped and prayed for. A series of preaching services conducted by Dr. Worrall was held during the winter in the 2nd Presbyterian Church, and was attended very largely by the students. Once and again it seemed as though many of them would be led to Christ, but for some cause the blessing was withheld. The daily prayer service in the chapel has been well attended both by the professors and the students. The Young Men's Christian Association has carried on with commendable zeal & fidelity its work through the whole session. A commodious, beautiful hall has been provided for this Society in our new Gymnasium, and we confidently expect more efficient & faithful work during the coming year.

Owing to the fact that so few of the students

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attend the church in which most of the Faculty worship, and our consequent ignorance as to their attending any religious service on the Sabbath, it is a serious question whether, with our enlarged number of students and the increase of ministers in the Faculty, the time has not come to establish a regular Sabbath preaching service in the chapel, attendance on which shall be compulsory, unless the student be excused by the President. We recommend that this matter be committed to the President, Vice-President, and Dr. Worrall, with authority to establish such a service, if they think best.

For information concerning the Library and Museum the Board is referred to accompanying reports on these subjects, which are made a part of this report.

The Preparatory Department, which with the consent of the Board will henceforth be called "e;The Centre College Academy"e;, has never, we believe, done better work or been in a more thoroughly organized & efficient condition. As was intimated to the Board at its last regular meeting, a new and most important feature has been added to this branch of our work in the opening, in the home of the Principal, of a Home Boarding Department. The success attending this movement has been most gratifying. A large addition will be made to Mr. Walton's house during the summer, and it is hoped that every room will be occupied. If this expectation should be realized, we trust that during the coming year means will be provided to erect, on the grounds belonging to the College, a large house with all modern conveniences which may be placed in charge of another master.

The College Home, still in charge of that most excellent lady manager, Mrs. Farrand, has been full during almost the entire year. The students occupying it have been among the very best in the College.

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An immediate and most urgent material need of the College is a new building to be used exclusively for scientific work, and an additional teacher to divide the instruction in this wide department with the one greatly overworked Professor who alone has charge of all these branches. The earnest consideration of the Board is asked with regard to this subject.

(Signed) William C. Young, Chairman of Faculty

In concluding the foregoing report Dr. Young spoke as follows:

I desire to supplement the foregoing report with a few remarks & sad suggestions to the Board.

In beginning the preparation of this report we were sadly reminded of the fearful loss sustained by the Faculty, the College, the Church, and the State in the sudden death of Dr. Ormond Beatty, which occurred soon after the last regular meeting of the Board. For more than fifty years identified with the College as student, professor, and president, it is but simple truth to say that in the performance of all duties Dr. Beatty was faithful, devoted and efficient. I move the appointment of a committee to prepare a suitable minute in relation to the death of Dr. Beatty, this committee to report at the next regular meeting of the Board.

This motion was carried, and in accordance therewith the Chairman appointed Drs. Yerkes and Hendrick, and Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq.

On motion the report of the Faculty, together with accompanying reports on the Library, Museum, etc., was received and approved.

The report on the Library is as follows:

Number vols. in Library at beginning of year
Added during the year
Total in Library
6,288
701
6,989

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Of these additions all have been catalogued except about 200. The number of cards has become so great that no means exists in the Librarian's hands to arrange them for use, and by the end of next year they will probably reach 25,000, as the magazines and journals uncatalogued will use a large number. Your Librarian would therefore represent to your body the advisability of procuring a suitable case, such as is used by the standard libraries of the country. A case to hold 18,000 cards will cost about $45 ($42-$50 at factory). This would answer for the present with what room we now have.

Your Librarian would also state than an offer has been made to the Library of the North American Review from July, 1885, to July, 1891, inclusive (12 volumes), provided the College will bind the same for permanent preservation. Constant application is made by students for this Review, as the articles therein treated are largely in the range of the debates in the Societies. The money appropriated for binding last year was more than wisely expended.

Very respectfully submitted, (Signed) John C. Fales, Librarian

On motion the Librarian was authorized to purchase the case in question and to have the 12 vols. of the North American Review bound.

The report on the Scientific Fund is as follows:

1890
 
1891
 
June 1, Balance on hand
Appropriation for year
June 1, Expenditures during the year
Balance due me
$49.20
$100.00
 
 
 
$149.20
$189.43
$37.23

The above amount is so largely overdrawn because I had entered into negotiations with Mr. Julian on the supposition that I was to have my usual appropriation of $130; but for some reason the amount was reduced to $100, much to my surprise, as I had been told a few years before that an application made by myself, the yearly appropriation should be fixed at $130.

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Very respectfully, (Signed) John C. Fales

The report on the Mathematical Fund is as follows:

Balance at close of last year
Appropriations for 1890-91
Balance April 30, 1891
$38.75
$20.00
$58.75

Respectfully submitted, (Signed) Alfred B. Nelson

At this point Dr. Martin being present, thus making up the thirteen members necessary to elect permanent professors, it was moved and carried that the Board proceed to the election of a professor in the College whose work shall be determined by President Young, and whose salary shall be in proportion to the work he performs. Rev. J. M. Worrall, D.D., was put in nomination, a ballot was taken which was unanimous in his favor, and he was declared elected.

It was moved and carried that the Board proceed to the election of a professor of Civics and Economics whose salary shall be in proportion to the work performed. Hon. J. Proctor Knott was put in nomination, and the ballot taken being unanimously in his favor, he was declared elected.

On motion a committee on instruction was appointed, consisting of Drs. Young & Yerkes, Mr. Robert P. Jacobs, and Prof. Fales.

On motion the Faculty was authorized to employ such additional instruction as they may deem advisable during the coming year.

On motion a committee, consisting of Drs. Blayney, Young & Yerkes, Robert P. Jacobs, and Alfred B. Nelson, was appointed to frame a system of rules to govern the Faculty in their administration of the affairs of the College.

It was resolved on motion that only the per-

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manent members of the Faculty should be authorized to vote on questions of administration, discipline, etc., coming before that body.

On motion the incidental fee of the College was increased from $5 to $10, beginning with the coming session.

On motion the sum of $120 was appropriated to the Scientific Department for the ensuing year, and $70 was appropriated to extinguish the debt created in the Mathematical Department by the purchase of a Wye Level.

The question whether the degree of A.M. in course shall continue to be conferred by the Board was referred to the Committee on Instruction.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Faculty, the degree of A.B. was conferred on the following members of the Senior Class:

Thomas Reynolds Best
Leslie Carrol Bosley
Henry Albert Brown
William Groves Burton
James Owen Cooper
Edwin Rue Curry
Archie Logan Denny
Henry Nichols Faulconer
William Bell Hann
Samuel Boyd Rogers
Tyler Elliott Utterback
Thomas Phillips Welch

and the degree of B.S. on

Thomas Francis Dolan
Graham Lawrence
James Grant Sebastian
Woodruff Irvine Williams
David George Wright

and a Certificate on

Richard Apperson
William Newton Craig

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The degree of A.B. was also conferred on the following ladies, daughters of the late Dr. John C. Young, who completed the College course with the Classes 1849 and 1851 respectively, viz.

Mrs. Mary Y. Rout
Mrs. Caroline Y. Douglas
Mrs. E. H. Rutherford

A. B. honorary was conferred on Charles H. Willits, M.D., of Philadelphia, Pa.

A.M. in course was conferred on

Dwight N. Marble, Class of 1882, Louisville, [Ky.]
Union Worthington, M.D., Class of 1883, Salt Lake City
Clinton C. Owens, M.D., Class of 1884, Maysville, [Ky.]
George Z. Dimmitt, Class of 1884, Denver, Col.
Rev. William E. Bryce, Class of 1886, Louisville, [Ky.]
Robert W. Eastland, Class of 1886, Danville, [Ky.]
Joseph A. Van Arsdall, M.D., Class of 1888, Wilmore, [Ky.]
Rev. George B. Van Arsdall, Class of 1888, Westville, Ind.
Rev. James M. Walton, Class of 1888, Greensburg, [Ky.]
Hugh M. Grant, Class of 1888 [i.e. 1886], Lancaster, [Ky.]

A.M. honorary was conferred on

S. G. Boyle, Lexington, [Ky.]
Rev. G. B. Wagner. Newport, Ky.
Judge J. W. Alcorn, Stanford, [Ky.]
Robt. W. Steele, Atty at Law, Denver, Col.

D.D. was conferred on

Rev. J. H. Walker, College Hill, O.
Rev. W. S. Fulton, Lexington, Ky.
Rev. Wm. R. Henderson, Omaha, Neb.
Rev. E. H. Pearce, Danville, Ky.
Rev. S. B. Alderson, Washington C. H., O.

L.L.D. on

Hon. Robert P. Jacobs, Danville, [Ky.]
Hon. Robert Rodes, Bowling Green, [Ky.]

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On motion a committee consisting of Drs. Young, Worrall, and McKee, was appointed to consider the question of establishing a Sabbath service to be held in the College Chapel, the committee to report at the next regular meeting of the Board.

On motion the Board sanctioned the change of name of the "e;Preparatory Department"e; to "e;The Centre College Academy."e;

The permanent committees were reappointed and are as follows:

Committee on Repairs: Messrs. John C. Fales, Guy E. Wiseman, and George W. Welsh

Auditing Committee: Messrs. Robert P. Jacobs and George W. Welsh

Financial Committee: Messrs. John A. Cheek, Edward W. C. Humphrey, William C. Young, Robert P. Jacobs, and George W. Welsh

On motion a circular was authorized to be sent to the members of the next Kentucky Legislation and to the State officers, offering each the privilege of nominating one indigent and worthy young man to a free scholarship in the College proper, the circular also stating that no one unable to pay tuition has ever been turned away from the College.

Drs. Young & Blayney, Robert P. Jacobs, and Alafred B. Nelson were appointed a committee to carry out the foregoing resolution.

The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved that Dr. John L. McKee's note for $200, belonging to the Vice-President's Fund, be given to Dr. McKee.

The minutes of the present meeting were read and approved for record.

On motion the Board adjourned to meet at 2:30 p.m., on the Tuesday preceding next Commencement Day, in the

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2nd Presbyterian Church, Danville, or at the call of the chairman.

The meeting was closed with prayer.

Alfred B. Nelson, Secretary