Sub-committee met. Present-Messrs. Mylin, Alexander, Hall, and Roberts. George Blight, ex-trustee, was sworn and examined. Professor Shortlidge, ex-president, was affirmed and examined. Miss Belle Shortlidge affirmed and examined. Mr. Alfred Sharpless affirmed and examined. Mr. Hickman recalled, and Allison O. Smith, a graduate, was sworn and examined. Adjourned to meet at Bellefonte, Pa., on Monday, P. M., June 26, 1882.

GEORGE W. HALL,.

Secretary.

State College Investigating Committee met at St. Cloud hotel, Philadelphia, May 13, 1882, at 10, A. M.

Members present-Senator Mylin, president, Representative Hall, secretary, Senator Alexander and Representative Roberts and Sergeant-at-Arms of Senate McConnell.

GEORGE BLIGHT, sworn :

By Senator Mylin:

Q. Do you live in this vicinity, Mr. Blight?

A. I live in the city of Philadelphia.

Q. Were you ever connected, in any way, with the State College of Pennsylvania?

A. I was a trustee for a period of three years.

Q. During what time?

A. Commenced in 1867 and resigned in 1870.

Q. Have you, or have you not, Mr. Blight, taken considerable interest in the experimental farm in Chester county, at West Grove?

A. I have, from the time it was purchased.

Q. Now, will you go on and state, in your own way, Mr. Blight, your knowledge of the transactions between this farm and the college—just give us your experience as a trustee?

A. At the time of my election as trustee, the farm had been already purchased, but not paid for. I was elected during the interval of the purchase of the farm and the settlement or payment of it. If my recollection serves me right, $45.000 was the sum obtained from the Government, which was to be appropriated to the purchasing of three experimental farms, one to be situated in the western portion of the State, one in the central, and one in the eastern portion. We advertized in various papers and otherwise invited sellers of farm property, that is, announced the intention of the trustees to purchase these farms, but there were very few responses to the committee's solicitations. We went out to Indiana county, and looked at Mr. White's farm there, which, I think, was the only one we were invited to look at in the western part of the State, and another in Chester county. This farm of Thomas Harvey was the only one the board thought was suitable for an experimental farm. And in Centre county, General Irvin presented two hundred acres, and afterwards it was thought not to be large enough, and two hundred acres more were purchased. I was the youngest member on the board of trustees at the time. The other members were H. N. MeAllister, Judge Watts, Morris Ellis-all gentlemen of the highest integrity and honest purpose, and, I presume, more faithful trustees could not have been found in the State. And in buying these farms, the trustees were obliged to purchase what was offered them. I do not know why it was, but there were very few farms offered. But that seemed to be the expe

rience of the board. But to come down to the Eastern experimental farm. There seemed to be no hesitation on the part of the board in the selection of Thomas Harvey's farm as the farm best adapted as an experimental farm in the eastern part of the State. And after the purchase of it, everything went on pretty much as you heard it detailed yesterday by Thomas Harvey and the other person who testified. Mr. Harvey was put in possession of the farm. He was thought to be a proper man to be put there, and he went on to it and carried it on for three years. You have already his three years' experience there, and it is not necessary for me to go over that part again, only I will say he carried it on to the entire satisfaction of all the trustees and all concerned. He had the farm there under a high state of cultivation, and made many improvements in various ways. Everything had a new and tidy appearance about the place. The trees-the fruit trees were all in a healthy and thrifty condition. A large peach orchard, in full bearing.

I suppose covered not less than fifteen acres, maybe more, which was in full bearing. There was a very handsome hedge all around the farm. The farm, when Thomas Harvey was there, was as attractive a one as you could well find, and we were all delighted with it. Just before Thomas Harvey withdrew from its superintendency, sickness in my family called me away to Europe, and as, upon inquiry, found I might be detained in Europe for an indefinite period of time, I thought I had better resign my trusteeship, which I did; and that closed my connection with the farm as a member of the board of trustees. But, as a visitor, I visited the farm for a considerable length of time afterwards. That was when I had returned from Europe, and John I. Carter was there, and, of course, being much interested in the matter of experimental farming, I took notice how things were managed, and how difficult it was to get money at the proper times, and how difficult it was to pay hands, &c. I believe that is about all that I can testify to in reference to this farm that you have not already heard.

By Mr. Mylin :

What do you attribute the alleged failure of this farm to originally? A. In my opinion, and the opinion of those with whom I have had conversations is, that the principal reason was the locality. That it is found to be in a too remote part of the State, and very inaccessible to those who were interested in agriculture not living there. Therefore, those living at any great distance from the farm lost sight of its institution, and those in its immediate vicinity were alone interested. In my visits to this farm I was obliged to stay the entire day. Why, to get there, I would have to leave in the seven o'clock train in the morning, and could not return until near eight o'clock in the evening, consequently it took an entire day to make a short visit to the farm and return; and in order to make this seven o'clock train I had to leave my home at six o'clock in the morning, consequently my interest became lessened. I could not give my time up for more than an hour a day to a matter of this kind. While I was still much interested in the success of it, but not being able to spend a whole day in visiting the farm as often as I should like to have spent an hour or so, I lost interest in the farm on account of its remoteness.

By Mr. Alexander :

You are speaking of the Eastern experimental farm, are you?
By Mr. Blight:

The Eastern alone, sir. I made only one visit to the Western farm. The second reason why I think this farm is a failure is the want of adequate In fact, they were cramped in every respect. It seemed the money that belonged to these farms properly could not be had at the proper times. By Mr. Mylin:

means.

You think the trustees took care of the college in preference to or at the expense of the experimental farms?

A. That was the impression I formed-that was the opinion I formedfrom all that I could learn and hear. The amount appropriated did not warrant such an extensive application, that the amount of outlay required by the college and farms was greater than the appropriations, and that the farms or something was obliged to suffer; and it appears to have fallen on the farms. They did not have the means to carry on all successfully. The college alone required all the money they received from the State in order to make it successful.

By Mr. Mylin :

Do you know why the corporation purchased so much land in Centre county-did you hear any discussion among the members of the board of trustees why they purchased so many acres of land in Centre countywhat was the reason Centre county was selected?

By Mr. Blight:

So far as my knowledge goes, the reason why Centre county was selected, General Irvin said he would give two hundred acres of land to the trustees if they would establish the farm for the central portion of the State in Centre county, which they considered a very fair proposition and a reasonable thing for them to do; and after it was decided to locate the farm there it was considered insufficient, and two hundred acres more were purchased from General Irvin, making in all four hundred acres.

By Mr. Hall:

How long were you connected with the college, Mr. Blight?

By Mr. Mylin :

I presume, Mr. Blight, you visited the Western and Central experimental farms frequently during these three years you were trustee?

By Mr. Blight:

Yes, sir; that is, the Eastern experimental farm.

By Mr. Mylin :

I mean the Western and Central experimental farms, Mr. Blight.

By Mr. Blight:

Yes, sir; I do not know that I visited those farms but once, and that was as trustee, and the farm here in Chester county I only visited once as trustee, but then I visited it frequently from the general interest I took in the experiments that were being made. I visited the farms but once officially.

By Mr. Mylin :

Did any of the other trustees visit this farm officially?

By Mr. Blight:

Mr. McAlister was here once during my term of trustee, and that is the time I refer to as having visited it officially.

Professor JOSEPH SHORTLIDGE, affirmed:

By Mr. Mylin :

Mr. Shortlidge, we would like to have you give us the history of your connection with the Pennsylvania State College-the time you went there, how you came to go there, how long you staid there, and what transpired during that time, and in what capacity you acted while there.

By Mr. Shortlidge:

In April, 1880, or thereabouts, General Beaver telegraphed me from Bellefonte that he wanted to see me in Philadelphia, at the Girard House.

I went into the city in response to the request and the telegram, and I found him there in company with Judge Orvis, at the Girard House. General Beaver said upon the recommendation of some friends they had come to see me in reference to the presidency of the State College; that they needed a president, and wanted to know if I would accept the position of president of the State College. The matter was talked over for some time, when I asked them what salary they gave, when I think they told me what they had been giving. I then told them I wouldn't take it for that. Then they proposed to raise the salary a little, and made big promises for the future, as to what would be done. After they had agreed to do better than what they at first intimated, and made such faithful promises for the future, I accepted the position, and I was appointed to the position, I believe, on the 27th of May, 1880; I think it was the 27th of May, 1880. By Mr. Mylin :

To take effect when-right away?

By Mr. Shortlidge :

From June 1, I believe. Three or four days after my appoiniment I commenced my duties as president of the Pennsylvania State College. I went to the college after I had accepted the appointment, but before I took charge, and I found things in a very bad condition. After I had made arrangements to sell out my personal property and real estate, and upon going there found things in such bad condition that I was out of heart, and felt very much discouraged with what the situation and its surroundings presented, and what I knew would have to be overcome and suppressed before I would meet with any success, I came home and told my friends that I felt very much sorry I had taken the position, and had a great mind to abandon it. But I had the bills out for the sale of my property, and, after consulting with some of my friends, I concluded I would try it. I went to the college under these circumstances. I found a great deal of disorder. The first night I went there I found the stu dents were out late at night, making all kinds of noise, and the greatest confusion and disorder prevailed. They rang the college bell. They began ringing the bell at about eleven o'clock at night, and I believe it rang from that on till twelve and one o'clock. I heard them pounding through the building, and doing everything in their power to make a noise. I then and there got sick of it, and, as I sat there listening to the noise and tumult, resting upon my elbows, I resolved that I would not remain. I had fully made up my mind to resign the next morning. I informed some of my friends that I had made a resolution not to go back to the college; that I was sick of the situation there, and I could not put up with the outrageous conduct I witnessed last night by the students. I had a talk with some members of the faculty. I talked with Professor Smith about it, and he told me that he admitted affairs were in a bad condition, but he thought if I would agree to remain, and he insisted on me to remain, that I could overcome disorder and bring order out of chaos. I went back to the college, and saw Judge Orvis, one of the trustees, there, and I told him I would not remain at the college unless they made certain promises to me. I told him it would be necessary to expel about one half the students, in order to bring the college into order, from what I had seen of the students the night before, and the knowledge I had of them. He said "Expel the students, as many as you like; and, if necessary, we will change every member of the faculty." Then, when the board of trustees next met, I had them pass the resolution you heard read yesterday by Mr. Shelmire. I was informed, too, that the disorder and con

fusion I had heard on the first night I had stayed there was in ratification of the event of Dr. Calder leaving the institution.

By Mr. Mylin :

Why did the board pass a resolution of that kind? Do you think it was a prudent act on the part of the board of trustees to place so much power in the hands of one man?

By Mr. Shortlidge:

It was intimated to me before I took charge of the college that Professor McKee had been very largely instrumental in having ousted Dr. Calder, and from what I had heard I knew, in order to run the college successfully, it was necessary to have a resolution of that kind passed; and I declined to have anything to do with the college unless they would give me more authority than what Dr. Calder had. I was not going to enter upon my duties there as president of that college with my hands tied as Dr. Calder had, and that was the reason this resolution was passed. I entered upon my duties knowing that this division was there. Victor Piolette, also one of the board of trustees, said to me: "If you get some of the members of the faculty down on you you will have trouble. They fought Dr. Calder while he was there until he was obliged to resign, and they will tomahawk you about in the same way if they get down on you, or you get into any dispute with them. He told me about Professor McKeethe kind of a man he was-and he called him a pretty hard name, using an oath with it, and told me he would have nothing more to do with him if he were me than what I had to. Before I was there a month I found out that both Professor McKee and Professor Hamilton were attempting the same thing with me that they had with Dr. Calder; they called on me and told me I was not doing what ought to be done, and that if I did not do so and so I would not get along with the students nor the faculty. The very first statement they made to me convinced me that Dr. Calder was a much injured man, although I had not heard a single statement from them against him. I knew what they had done for Dr. Calder, and they were trying the same game on me. So I checked it by telling Professor McKee, I think: "Gentlemen, I intend to be president of this college or nothing, and you may just as well know it now as after awhile." I soon found out they were the particular friends of General Beaver, and that these men had been opposed to Dr. Calder, and I found that they were working with Beaver against me. When the college opened for the fall term, the boys commenced the same system of order I had seen there when I was there on a visit. I had taken about one fourth of the students with me. I think I am correct in that statement. The students that had been there commenced to abuse the students I took there. One of them said that he would go home if they did not stop hazing him. They began hazing the students I brought there. I took in the situation at once, and saw who was at the bottom of all this. Hazing was carried on very generally, and I saw it had to be stopped, and I was determined to put an end to it if I had to use violent measures to do it. The students had no regard for anything, not even for chapel services. Soon after the term commenced, the first Sunday, we had services in the chapel, which the students were required to attend. There was a great deal of confusion and noise. I rebuked the students for this bad conduct, which seemed to have the desired effect at first. But soon I heard a thump, which I thought I knew where it came from; but in order to be sure of the person who was doing it I left it go by unnoticed, apparently, but I said nothing, for the purpose to see if I was correct in the person I thought had made the noise. I knew it would be repeated soon, and I kept a lookout to see if I was correct; and I had not long to