Category Archives: Colgate in the 1890’s

p. 221 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Posted on June 14, 2012 by | Comments Off on p. 221 – Colgate in the 1890’s
President George W. Smith, 1895-97, Presidential Photographs (Artificial Collection), p221

public lectures for the recently established University Extension Program were all, no doubt, contributing factors toward his breakdown.

During the latter part of Smith’s, presidency, Professors Crawshaw and Brigham had jointly shared the duties of the office, amicably and harmoniously. From 1897 to 1899 Crawshaw was Acting President and in 1897 also he was made Dean, a position he was to fill with great distinction for 33 years. Though the double load from 1897 to 1899 was a heavy one, the generous support which James C. Colgate gave enabled him to carry the burden.

The Seminary, too, experienced administrative change. Professor William H. Maynard was made its first-Dean in 1891. He resigned in less than three months to be succeeded by the saintly and beloved Professor Hezekiah Harvey who served until his death in 1893. Professor Sylvester Burnham followed him from 1893 until 1913. In each instance these men continued their teaching while serving as Dean.

Reorganization in ‘the Treasurer’s Office included the resignation of William R. Rowlands in 1896 and the appointment of William M. West, President of the Hamilton bank, as his successor. Bookkeeping was modernized to provide closer supervision of accounts and, beginning in 1890, Treasurer’s Reports were published annually for distribution to the Trustees.

For all but two years during the period, 1890 to 1899, the accounts showed yearly deficits, often running to’ as much as $35,000. James B.

Comments Off on p. 221 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Posted in Chapter 11, Colgate in the 1890's, p. 221

Tagged , , , , ,

George W. Smith appointed as president (p. 220)

Posted on June 14, 2012 by | Comments Off on George W. Smith appointed as president (p. 220)

entire income available when the principal should exceed $3,000,000.*

Since Dr. Dodge alone seems to have understood the intricacies of University-Education Society relations, the need for their clarification became urgent following his death. Because of their ambiguity not only had presidential candidates declined appointment but the Education Society Trustees had become concerned since, under the circumstances, it was uncertain what benefits the Seminary would derive from the Dodge Fund. The old Compacts of 1847 and 1853 had been particularly vague about responsibility for the maintenance  and improvement of real estate. The two Boards ratified a new Compact in 1893 which re-defined their relations. It provided that the University should take over the Society’s real estate and the income of its endowments’ support and maintain the Seminary. Provision was made also for  joint action in the appointment and removal of: Seminary professors, for annual inspection of their classes, and for changes in the theological curriculum. The Baptist Education Society Board of Trustees was to have continuous representation on the University Board of not less than five of its own members.

The interval during which the University had no president ended in 1895 when the Trustees, somewhat desperate at being unable to fill the vacancy, ratified the appointment of George William Smith who was said to have been James B. Colgate’s personal selection. This was a surprise and Smith, himself, admitted later that he never knew why he had been chosen. He had joined the faculty three years before as the successor to Professor Terry who had gone to the University of Chicago. A graduate of Colby College in 1883 and of Albany Law School in 1887, he practiced at the bar for three years before entering Johns Hopkins University; here he took advanced work in history, English literature and philosophy and served as an instructor. He was a popular professor and as an eligible bachelor in his early ’30’s was welcomed in village society where he paid special attention to one or two of the reigning belles. The future of the University under his guidance was felt to be full of promise but in June, 1897, less than two years after his inauguration, he had to resign for reasons of health. His inexperience as an administrator, the work of the Dean which he took over since. Professor Andrews had retired from the office, and his

*New York, Laws (1900), ch. 24. See also subsequent legislation on the Dodge Fund, Laws (1933), ch. 521; (1937), ch. 71; (1945), ch. 177; (1949), ch. 275.

Comments Off on George W. Smith appointed as president (p. 220)

Posted in Chapter 11, Colgate in the 1890's, p. 220, timeline

Tagged

p. 219 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Posted on June 14, 2012 by | Comments Off on p. 219 – Colgate in the 1890’s

James B. Colgate was its first chairman and his son and Gardner Colby the other members. Another innovation, though relatively minor, which shows the trend to modern practices was the regular employment in 1890 of stenographers in the Treasurer’s and Dean’s offices.

This period saw also a slight change in the composition of the Board of Trustees. As early as 1885 James C. Colgate’s classmate, Edward M. Grout, ’84, had spearheaded a movement for alumni representation, citing several northeastern colleges where it was to be found. Inertia and the priority of other subjects seem to have delayed action till 1894 when the Board permitted all College degree holders and graduates of the Seminary’s full course to make nominations by mail ballot; the Board reserved the right to choose one alumnus from the nominees, however. The first balloting was held the next year and Grout was selected. Thereafter he was to be a permanent member of the Board, except for a two-year interval, until his death in 1931.

One of the most significant events of the ’90’s or of the University’s entire history, in fact, was James B. Colgate’s munificent gift of the Dodge Memorial Fund in honor of his dear friend, the late President. At a meeting of the Board in June, 1891, which the Education Society Trustees, by previous arrangement, attended, and from which the donor was absent, Samuel Colgate read a communication from his brother announcing the gift of securities worth $1,000,000. Three “custodians,” one of them being James C. Colgate, were named and were empowered to elect their successors and to have control of the Fund independently of the University Trustees. One half of the annual income was to be paid to the University and the balance added to the principal The total income was to be turned over when it reached a figure satisfactory to the University Trustees for providing an adequate supplement to the University’s over-all income. It is worthy of note that Mr. Colgate imposed no conditions on the use of the expendable income. He was “confident that this University will continue to be in the true sense of the term, a Baptist University where the ruling purpose is to discover and teach truth in order that it may be fearlessly, yet reverently, followed wherever it may lead.” One wonders if he appreciated the far-reaching implications of this statement. Since there developed some question as to the validity of the Deed of Gift the Board requested, and the State Legislature passed in 1900, an act chartering the ‘Dodge Fund Trustees and making the

Comments Off on p. 219 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Posted in Chapter 11, Colgate in the 1890's, p. 219

Tagged , ,

Office of the registrar established (p. 218)

Posted on June 14, 2012 by | Comments Off on Office of the registrar established (p. 218)

his friendly and conciliatory nature, his thorough knowledge of the institution and its history, his wide acquaintance with the alumni, all contributed to make him a sagacious and acceptable leader.”

Other changes included: printing the Minutes of Trustees’ Meetings so that each member might have copy; holding two Trustees’ Meetings each year, instead of one, the second to be in New York in December; and electing members of the Board for five-year terms. This modern and efficient approach it was hoped would stimulate genuine Trustee interest in University affairs.

For five years the Trustees searched without success for a president. Various prominent Baptists turned them down because they disliked the poorly defined joint operations of the University and the Baptist Education Society and sensed trouble because the president’s authority over the Seminary was not spelled out. Their objections were especially pertinent in a period in which there was considerable unrest and turmoil in theological circles.

At the outset of the search for a president, the faculty urged the twenty-seven-year old James C. Colgate to accept the office. No doubt flattered, he modestly declined to follow in the footsteps of his demi-god, Ebenezer Dodge. He felt he could be of greater service as a Trustee and time proved him correct. In many ways he was President pro tem and, as such, kept in close touch with Dean Andrews and the faculty committee and with the students. As a means, rather unusual in the 1890’s, of enlisting undergraduate support he furnished the Madisonensis with lengthy accounts of Trustee meetings. Furthermore, he came to the campus as often as he could and talked to the students about his responsibilities and his hopes for the University while, at the same time, frankly admitting he was not much older than they and would like to join in their fun. Under his prodding the Executive Committee made a thorough investigation of the University’s daily operations and called for detailed reports from its officers. In 1892 the office of Registrar was established to consolidate and maintain efficient and complete records of student grades and absences; the duties of the Registrar were combined with those of the Librarian until 1898. James C. Colgate’s influence can be detected also in the reorganization of procedures in the Treasurer’s Office and in forming in 1892 a Trustees’ Finance Committee to have custody of the University’s securities and to direct the investment of its funds. Mr.

Comments Off on Office of the registrar established (p. 218)

Posted in Chapter 11, Colgate in the 1890's, p. 218, timeline

Tagged , ,

p. 217 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Posted on June 14, 2012 by | Comments Off on p. 217 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Chapter XI – COLGATE IN THE 1890’s

The death of Dr. Dodge in 1890 marked the end of an era. He and his friend, James B. Colgate, had retarded but not prevented change. With Dodge, or the “magister,” as he was sometimes called, no longer on the scene and the aging Patron gradually relinquishing responsibilities to his son, James C. Colgate, the University moved forward with unprecedented speed. The change of name from Madison to Colgate University seemed to foreshadow innovation. Starting with the Board of Trustees, the administrative structure was reorganized, the endowment greatly augmented, the physical plant expanded and improved, several young scholars added to the faculty, new academic departments set up, the curriculum liberalized, student life, especially fraternities and athletics, given new vigor, and the alumni encouraged to participate in the University’s life. Even though there was no president for most of the period, to the distress of students and others of the academic community, morale was high and a quiet, well-founded pride was abroad on the campus. Colgate was getting in step with her sister institutions.

The Trustees quickly discovered after Dr. Dodge’s death that he had been the center of administration and with his removal they had no effective communication with the faculty and students. On faculty recommendation, they reconstituted their Provisional Committee with James C. Colgate as chairman and directed it to take over the President’s duties until that office should’ be filled. In 1891 they replaced this body with an Executive Committee with James C. Colgate as the most important member. Dean Newton Lloyd Andrews carried out the routine campus duties of the President’s office until June 1891 when four of his’ colleagues were associated with him to share the burden. “His rich experience,” Dr. Crawshaw remembered,

Comments Off on p. 217 – Colgate in the 1890’s

Posted in Chapter 11, Colgate in the 1890's, p. 217

Tagged , , ,