Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/276

272 "aspiring views of a certain mighty politician, who expected that every person would fall down and worship the GOLDEN CALF. I had almost said the GOLDEN BULL." Which were considered by another writer in the issue of the following week as "the vomitings of this infamous hireling against an absent person." And to this on 6 May, Smith's rejoinder contained a qualification of these words, " No one desires to detract from the Gentleman's Merits and Abilities, but certainly they are not too high for competition nor wholly unparalleled." These references to Franklin did not show new antagonisms, but were the fruits of earlier controversies. Franklin was absent during this newspaper war, not returning until June; but his unwillingness longer to continue President of the Board of Trustees took form at the annual meeting in May, when Dr. Peters succeeded him. At the moment of time when William and Mary was bestowing on him their honorary degree, his own College under the heat of local politics was willing his influence in it should be lessened, and accepted his withdrawal from the Presidency. This present controversy was affecting the College, and the young Provost felt the need of vindication from public calumny. Franklin on his return from Virginia attended the meeting of 8 June, but being again called out of town was not at the meeting of 5 July, Messrs. Peters, Allen, Hamilton, Inglis, Stedman, Maddox, Coleman, Strettel, Taylor and Syng only being present, when it was moved by one of the Trustees that Examination be made into the foundation of the Several Charges lately published to the Disadvantage of Mr. Smith, as the Reputation of the Academy might be affected by them, and it appearing to the Trustees that in Justice to their own Character as well as that of their Provost, such an examination was very proper, it was referred to Mr Peters, Mr Taylor and Mr Stedman to make full enquiry into this Matter and report the same at the next meeting of the Trustees that it may then be considered what ought farther to be done. At the same meeting, four of the students of the Senior Philosophy Class, viz.: Duche, Latta, Hopkinson and Williamson, presented a paper to the Trustees which was ordered entered on the minutes bearing on this subject. Magaw and Morgan's signatures are not attached as they were out of town. It was a filial