April 20. Columbia College at two P.M. Fish brought up his resolutions, as modified. As to Hackley, they merely revoke our action of a month or two since whereby he was assigned to one of the two chairs into which the present department of mathematics is divided, that of astronomy. This was discussed at great length, Anderson twining subtle webs of ingenious plausibilities against it, and was carried, Anderson alone dissenting. As to McVickar, the resolutions proposed to make him emeritus professor and would have been carried without a dissenting voice had not King interposed and asked delay that McVickar might have the option of resigning if he preferred not to have a censure recorded against him. It seems that Hackley and McVickar are unconscious each of his own peril, but each is satisfied that the other is very inefficient and ought to be removed.* We met in the chapel, half-dismantled, its doors off the hinges, utterly cold and dreary; our last meeting in the poor old college building. One of the landmarks of the New York of old times is falling and perishing.
* McVickar was actually dealt with more kindly than some of his critics has desired. His chair was split into three parts. He was kept on to teach the evidences of religion; Lieber was given the professorship of history and political science.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
Sounds like some church committees I'm on ...
Sounds very Fish-y to me...
April 25, SATURDAY. . . . Interesting Columbia College meeting at the Synod rooms of the Reformed Dutch Church, corner of Fourth Street and Lafayette Place, last Wednesday lasting from two to past six P.M. Discussion on McVickar’s case resulted in the “informal understanding” that certain of his friends would call on him with a view to some communication from him; a resignation or a proposal that his present duties be changed. Then a motion for reconsideration in poor Hackley’s case was carried; and a long and earnest discussion on Fish’s resolution, Fish, Allen and S.B. Ruggles severally vigorous in its support – ditto Spring. Anderson was jesuitical and Bradford rhetorical against it. Laid on the table at last by nine to eight But the end is not yet.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas