Page 321 [view page image]

Lexington, Ky., April 8, 1898

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met in Lexington, Ky., at Phoenix Hotel and was opened with prayer by Dr. Blayney. The members present were: Drs. Blayney, Condit, Martin, Hamilton, Fulton, Sutherland, Warren; Messrs. Curry, Simpson, Jacobs, Welsh, Humphrey, Ernst.

The certificate of the stated clerk of the Synod of Kentucky showing the election of Trustees for three years expiring in 1900 was presented and the following Trustees belonging to that class took the oath of office, viz. Dr. Samuel M. Hamilton, Dr. William C. Condit, George W. Welsh, Richard P. Ernst, and Robert P. Jacobs.

The Chairman stated that Dr. Henry C. Minton finally declined the Presidency of the College, although at first accepting the same.

The resignation of Dr. Hendrick was presented and accepted. Rev. J. Kinsey Smith, D.D., was elected to fill the vacancy.

Messrs. Humphrey and Cheek were authorized to settle bills in Louisville incurred for the football game, which was declared off last fall, owing to the sickness and death of Mr. Cary Nicholas.

The salary of the President of the College was fixed at $3,000 and the use of the house, garden & stable.

Board adjourned to meet on call of the Chairman.

John A. Cheek, Secretary

Page 322 [view page image]

Lexington, Ky., April 17, 1898

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met at Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, Ky., and was opened with prayer by Dr. Blayney. There were present: Drs. Blayney, Condit, Waller, Hamilton, Fulton, Sutherland, Martin; Messrs. Simpson, Curry, Ernst, Humphrey, Cochran, Welsh.

The following motion was offered by Dr. Martin & unanimously adopted: That a committee of five, consisting of the present committee of three and two additional to be selected by the Chairman of the Board, shall be authorized to select a President for the College, the Board delegating to that committee the power of franchise, provided four of the committee are in accord.

Matter of election of a Physical Director was referred to the Faculty with power to act.

Arrangements for the coming year for the Academy were referred to the Dean and the Executive Committee.

The Treasurer was ordered to pay $12.50 on account of music for the oratorical contest in June 1898.

The Chairman announced the two additional members of the committee on securing a President to be Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Fulton.

Board adjourned.

John A. Cheek, Secretary

Page 323 [view page image]

Danville, Ky., June 7, 1898

The Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky met in the Y.M.C.A. room of the Gymnasium and was opened with prayer by Dr. W. S. Fulton of Lexington. Members present were: Drs. Blayney, Hamilton, Waller, Sutherland, Fulton, Condit, Martin, Warren; Messrs. Curry, Humphrey, Welsh, Simpson.

The minutes of the last regular meeting and the meeting of April 8th and April 17th 1898 were read and approved as recorded. A letter from Dr. Samuel A. Mutchmore was read and reason for absence was sustained.

An invitation from Prof. John C. Fales to take lunch with him was accepted with the thanks of the Board.

Dr. Blayney from the special committee of five appointed to secure a President reported that the Presidency of the College had been offered to Rev. William C. Roberts, D.D., L.L.D., of New York and that Dr. Roberts would be in Danville to decide the matter of accepting the same.

The Faculty report was taken up, which was as follows.

The Faculty of the College desire to present this their report for the year ending June 6, 1898.

The catalogue submitted as a part of this report shows an enrollment in all departments of 238. If there be added one for

Page 324 [view page image]

the College and two for the Academy entered after the roll was sent to the printer, the total 241 exactly equals the number of last year. We think this is a matter for congratulations considering the circumstances.

Degrees

The Faculty recommend the following young men for degrees:

Bachelor of Laws

Bush Allen, Harrodsburg, Ky.
Homer Baughman, Danville, Ky.
Robert Walker Hunn, Shelbyville, Ky.
James Mott McDaniel, Hickman, Ky.
John Day Powers, Barbourville, Ky.
Ernest Thurston Smith, Danville, Ky.
John Sherman Steely, Williamsburg, Ky.
Henry McClellan Anderson, Charleston, W.V.
Leslie Carroll Bosley, Danville, Ky.
Lawrence Kinnaird, McGregor, Ia.
Caleb Powers, Barbourville, Ky.
Richard Sherman Rose, Barbourville, Ky.
Ralph Nugent Stanfield, Mayfield, Ky.
Luther Bannister Stodghill, Danville, Ky.
Carl Thomson, Ripley, O.
William H. Funk, Danville, Ky.

Bachelor of Arts

John Carey Acheson, Xenia, O.
Charles Wilson Barrett, Lyndon, O.
Leonard Andrew Barrett, Covington, Ky.
George Fisher Bell, Shelbyville, Ky.
Pitzer Dickson Black, Barbourville, Ky.
John McClusky Blayney, Jr., Frankfort, Ky.
Francis Graddy Cary, Lexington, Ky.
Ward Hazeltine Goodloe, Danville, Ky.
Thomas Peter Grant, Frankfort, Ky.
Isaac James Heizer, Greensburg, Ky.
James Francis Lawwill, Shelby Coty, Ky.
James Andrew McKenzie, Oak Grove, Ky.

Page 325 [view page image]

John Richard Wilkie, Charleston, W. Va.
Horace Cady Wilson, Maysville, Ky.

Bachelor in Science

Roy Milton Baker, Dixon, Ky.
Clarence Robinson Bass, Campbellsville
Robert Fisher Dickens, Fort Smith, Ark.
Robert Smith Dulin, Madisonville, Ky.
James Percival Edwards, Louisville, Ky.
Henry Stevenson Hale, Mayfield, Ky.
Robert Young Hindman, Columbia, Ky.
Charles Bismarck Kobert, Lebanon, Ky.
James Edward Reynolds, Fort Smith, Ark.
John Calhoun Robinson, Hubble, Ky.
Harvey Clifton Shanks, Louisville, Ky.
Henry George Snyder, Louisa, Ky.
Thomas P. Hill Spalding, Lebanon, Ky.
James Nelson Stofer, Mt. Sterling, Ky.

Certificate

Barrett Wood, Danville, Ky.

College Home

Some necessary improvements and repairs were made during the vacation of last summer to the old building, known as the Home, and an arrangement was made to conduct it in connection with some of the occupants of Breckinridge Hall, which appears to have been successful, although the increased cost of living did not permit the rule of the Board to be kept as low as usual.

Preparatory

This was continued under the same teachers who managed it in 1896 & 1897 with a small increase in attendance.

Athletics

In regard to athletics we need

Page 326 [view page image]

only repeat in a more emphatic form what was included in last year's report.

The practice of allowing players on the team playing football who were not bona fide members of the College has resulted in a loss of interest in the team on the part of the mass of the students so much so that it was difficult to get together a second team for practice.

The Dean was overruled on every position he took, but the results, many of which are not mentioned, convince him that he was right. Your attention is called to a letter from Prof. Dudley of Vanderbilt in relation to this matter and which is sent with this report.

We are happy to add that the baseball team has a clean record, all the men playing on it being students through the year and its successful record shows that ringers are not necessary in the College.

Cento

The College paper has been regularly issued and we recommend it to the Board for a continuance of their support.

Library

The report of the Librarian will show all the facts in relation to its condition.

Master's Degree

The Faculty again recommend the consideration of this subject

Page 327 [view page image]

to the Board and submit a second paper for consideration being satisfied that its adoption will prove of benefit to the College.

Some of the special recommendations to the Board at its last meeting have been carried out, especially in relation to the water closet, much to the improvement of the grounds and the decency of the students.

General Catalogue

It is known to the Board that in 1890 a general catalogue of the College was published. At the request of Dr. Young the present Dean prepared the manuscript, having previously begun the task for his own gratification. As the time was short, the result was imperfect.

After its issue, the compiler was requested to continue his task and collect material for another to be issued in 1900, which should include not only the names of the Alumni, but of all who had ever been connected with the College.

Investigation showed that all the matriculation books before 1862 were lost and that only three catalogues before 1848 were in existence.

The ability to find the missing links turned on the existence of what other records might be found. By reading over the minutes of the Board, examining old treasury accounts, and by reawakening the memory of some

Page 328 [view page image]

of the oldest alumni and others, between 3,500 and 3,600 so far have been collected. The matter has now reached the stage when an extensive correspondence will have to be entered into tracing these old students.

The compiler of the former catalogue is willing to undertake the labor if the Board desires the work done, and will authorize the expense of printing circulars, procuring stationary, and paying postage. If it ever is to be done, now is the time, as every day it is deferred only makes the task more difficult, which task will be multiplied for a new beginner.

Laws

Attention is again called to the chapter of the College laws relating to misdemeanors and the necessity of revision. We have at present no laws that can be read to the students as authoritatively laid down for their guidance since nearly every section has become inoperative. Whenever these have been cited as indicating the intention of the authorities as to discipline of the College, the citation has been met with objection such as, "the clause did very well fifty years ago when made but it is now antiquated" or "it does not mean what it says" or "if you enforce that you will make the students mad." For the benefit of your new executive, give him some rules that he

Page 329 [view page image]

can rely on for his guidance and support.

The Faculty would also take the liberty of calling attention to the so-called affiliated schools of the College. Members of the Faculty were induced to subscribe money to two of these schools on the representation that they were to be feeders to Centre College.

One of these has sent one student during its existence of many years and the other possibly four in all. The manner in which students are prepared, deficient in elementary studies and taught in the more advanced makes their presence in the College an annoyance to themselves and every one else. Cannot something be done to make these schools more in accord with our needs if they are to be considered connected with us?

Very Respectfully, (Signed) John C. Fales, Dean

The degrees recommended by the Faculty were conferred.

The matter of the College Home was referred to the Dean or the new President if secured and the Executive Committee.

The whole subject of athletics was referred to the Faculty with power to act. The same arrangement and the same bonus $150 was continued for another year to the Cento. Messrs. Simpson, Humphrey, and Welsh were appointed a committee to report

Page 330 [view page image]

to this meeting of the Board the probable receipts and disbursements for the coming year.

The following was adopted: It is ordered by the Board that members of the Senior Class are required to be present at the Commencement exercises and that diplomas will be withheld unless excused by the Faculty.

Recommendations of the Dean about securing the information and dates for a general catalogue were approved, and the expenditure for circulars and postage to secure same was authorized.

The Treasurer reported that in accordance with the direction of the Board, he had gone to Chicago with Robert P. Jacobs, Executor of Dr. William C. Young, and that he had seen the property given to the College by the will of Dr. Young. The property was owned jointly by Henry J. Peet and Dr. Young and consisted of a lot which was unimproved and also a piece of improved property which latter was mortgaged for $29,000, one half of which was owed by Dr. Young's Estate. Investigations made through Henry J. Peet and Messr. E. A. Cummings, Esqs., real estate agents, showed the improved piece to be well rented and worth on low valuation double the mortgage, and that the unimproved lot was free from encumbrances and quite well located and valuable.

Page 331 [view page image]

The Treasurer recommended the acceptance of the property under the will of Dr. William C. Young and the assumption by the Board of one half the mortgage of $29,000 which was owed by Dr. Young, which was approved by the Board, and the Chairman was authorized to execute any papers required by the executor of Dr. William C. Young.

The Treasurer's Report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1898, was read to the Board and approved.

The Special Committee to report on the probable receipts and disbursements made the following report:

Probable Receipts

Income from bonds Income from rents Income from Vice President's Fund Income from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville bonds Income from subscription notes Tuition Total>

$13,806.00 $550.00 $600.00 $600.00 $250.00 $4,250.00 $20,056.00

Probable Expenditures

President's salary 5 Professor at $1,600 each Prof. Stilwell's Department Prof. Johnson Prof. Law Department Janitors & Treasurer Athletics Fixed expenditures

$3,000.00 $8,000.00 $1,200.00 $800.00 $1,100.00 $975.00 $1,200.00 $16,275.00

Appropriations already made to

Prof. Stilwell's Department Prof. Fales' gift by Board Bonus, Cento Expenses, Board Forward

$400.00 250.00 $150.00 $200.00 $17,275

Page 332 [view page image]

Disbursements forward Insurance Postage & advertising Canvass for students Printing Fuel & water Library Repairs Annual App., Stilwell's Department Bonus, Academy Rent, Trust Box Gymnasium Total probable expenditures which report was received and approved

$17,275 $300.00 $75.00 $500.00 $225.00 $350.00 $150.00 $600.00 $120.00 $300.00 $30.00 $200.00 $20,125.00

The Executive Committee was instructed to correspond with Prof. Law and secure a cancellation of the contract made by the Committee with him for the coming year, and if release was secured were authorized to pay for packing his furniture and freight on same.

The Chairman was authorized to deed to the City of Danville the extension of Russel Street west through the College grounds provided the City will fence the street and agree to pay all expenses of grading and macadamizing the same, when either or both have to be done.

During the absence of Dr. Blayney in Europe, Dr. W. F. Fulton was designated as the acting Chairman.

The Executive Committee and the Dean or President were authorized to provide any instruction necessary during the coming year.

Page 333 [view page image]

Recess was taken until 8 o'clock next morning, and meeting to be held in session room of the 2nd Presbyterian Church.

Board met at 8 o'clock a.m., Wednesday with all the members present who were present the previous day, and in addition Mr. Robert P. Jacobs, making 13 members present.

On motion the Board proceeded to elect a President by ballot as required in the Charter, resulting in the election of Rev. William C. Roberts, D.D., L.L.D.

Honorary Degrees conferred

Rev. J. Kinsey Smith, Louisville, Ky., D.D.
Rev. Samuel Addison McElroy, Cape Girardeau, Mo., D.D.
Henry Waller, Class of 1894, A.M. in course

Dr. Roberts being present in the city and having indicated his acceptance of the Presidency of the College, a committee consisting of Dr. Blayney, Dr. Fulton, Dr. Martin & Mr. Welsh were appointed to arrange for his inauguration at the meeting of the Synod of Kentucky at its meeting in October at Danville, Ky.

Board adjourned.

John A. Cheek, Secretary

Page 334 [view page image]

Danville, Ky., October 12, 1898

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met at the 2nd Presbyterian Church and was opened with prayer by the Chairman, Dr. Blayney. The members present were: Drs. Blayney, Smith, Condit, Fulton, Waller, Martin, Hamilton, Sutherland; Messrs. Jacobs, Simpson, Humphrey.

Honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on Rev. William Januz, the vote being by ballot as required.

The request of the Class of 1880 to place a tablet to Prof. Salvadore DeSoto in the chapel was granted with the understanding that it be a tablet in harmony with those already there, and be put up under the direction of Prof. John C. Fales.

On motion the Board adjourned.

John A. Cheek, Secretary

© 2008 Centre College Special Collections · Last modified: 2008-03-24
Grace Doherty Library · Centre College · Danville, Kentucky
http://library.centre.edu/sc/minutes/bt4_1898.html