Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/468

 412 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO of segregation, to advise with the Trustees. When the first fore- shadowings of President Harper's illness sent him abroad for rest in 1903, Dr. Judson was "requested" by the Trustees "to assume the responsibilities of the President's office during President Harper's absence." In 1904 and 1905, whenever the President could not do so, Dr. Judson attended the Board meetings in his place and presided at faculty meetings and Convocations. During the closing months of 1905 he was virtually President of the Uni- versity. When in December President Harper wrote to the Trustees that he was at last ready to accept the six months' vaca- tion they had been pressing on him for two years, he said: During my absence I recommend that as usual the affairs of the Univer- sity be placed in the hands of Mr. Judson, the Dean of the General Faculties, and I beg the Board to make such financial provision for the extra service this involves as may seem to them just. That Dr. Judson would preside over "the affairs of the Uni- versity," was assumed to be so entirely a matter of course that the only action taken at the time was the following: The matter of Dr. Judson's duties and compensation was referred to the Committee on Instruction and Equipment for consideration and report. At the meeting of the Trustees held January 16, 1906, they took the following action: That the faithful and arduous administrative work done by Dean H. P. Judson during the long illness of President Harper, while undoubtedly prompted by his love for his stricken friend, none the less commands the admiration of all who know the sacrifice of strength and time involved. The University and its Trustees being indebted to Mr. Judson for the service so gladly rendered and so efficiently performed, it is therefore Resolved by this Board that its warm appreciation and thanks be con- conveyed to Mr. Judson for his loyal devotion to the University and its Presi- dent in the assistance given during a trying period, and for the tact, skill, and success with which his work has been done; and that Professor H. P. Judson, Dean of the Faculties of Arts, Literature and Science be appointed Acting President to serve until the election of a permanent President. The Acting President-elect was requested to meet the Trustees, and was informed by President Ryerson of the action of the Board. Accepting the appointment, he spoke briefly in acknowledgment of the action of the Trustees, bespeaking their sympathy and