No. 243.
Mr. Davis
to Mr. Bancroft.
Department
of State,
Washington, August 18,
1873.
No. 603.]
Sir: Referring to your No. 502, requesting
information concerning the so-called American University of Philadelphia,
and especially in regard
[Page 428]
to the
proceedings of one Dr. P. F. A. Vander Vyver, of the island of Jersey, who
offers for sale certain diplomas of the above-mentioned institution, I
inclose herewith for your information a copy of a communication from the
executive department of Pennsylvania, and of its inclosures, in answer to
inquiries made at the instance of the consular agent of the United States at
Konigsberg, concerning the subject in question.
I am, &c.,
J. C. B. DAVIS,
Acting
Secretary.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 603.]
Mr. Norris to Mr.
Fish.
Executive Chamber, Harrisburgh,
Pa.,
March 7, 1873.
(Received March 10.)
Sir: In reply to your letter of the 3d instant,
making inquiry “whether the Philadelphia University of Medicine and
Surgery have authority to grant a diploma of Doctor of Philosophy to a
person who has not been a regular student of the university or who has
not graduated in its course of study,” by direction of the governor I
have the honor to transmit herewith a communication, with an
accompanying circular from the secretary and treasurer of the board of
trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, “which doubtless convey the
information desired.
I am, &c.,
A. WILSON NORRIS,
Private
Secretary.
Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.
[Inclosure 2 in inclosure in No.
603,]
Mr. Piddle to
Governor Hartranft.
Philadelphia, 208 South Fourth
Street,
March 6,
1873.
Dear Sir: The letter from the Hon. Mr. Fish,
with your indorsement, was this morning received.
An institution entitled the Philadelphia University of Medicine and
Surgery did exist in Philadelphia, with power to confer degrees, hut at
the last session of the legislature its charter was repealed. Dr.
William Paine was the dean of this institution.
An elaborate report was at that time made by a committee, appointed by
the legislature, which recommended the repeal of several charters. The
report was adopted, and a hill passed.
It is reported that by an oversight the hill then passed did not repeal
the charter of one of the institutions it was designed to reach.
The title of the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery caused
it to be confounded with the University of Pennsylvania, causing much
very serious annoyance to the authorities of the latter, with which I am
connected as secretary and treasurer.
I remain, &c.,
His Excellency Governor Hartranft.
[Inclosure 2 in inclosure No.
603.]
[Circular.]
University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, September,
1871.
Frequent applications are made to the authorities of this university by
gentlemen who desire to obtain honorary degrees. As these applications
are made in evident ignorance of the rules which govern the university
in conferring these degrees, as well as of the law of the State of
Pennsylvania on the subject, it has been thought best to reprint the
existing regulations.
[Page 429]
Extract from the statutes of the
university.
“Of honorary degrees in divinity, law, arts, and medicine:
- “1. These may he conferred either at the instance of the
faculty or in pursuance of a resolution of the board of
trustees; but no such degree shall be conferred unless the
mandamus ordering the same be signed by two-thirds of the whole
number of trustees, nor unless the candidate shall have been
nominated at the board three months previously to taking the
question on conferring the degree.
- “2. The question on conferring an honorary degree shall always
be decided by ballot, and the candidate must receive a unanimous
vote.
“An act to prohibit the sale of
academic degrees.
“Section 1. Be it enacted by
the senate and house of representatives of the commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by
the authority of the same, That it shall not be lawful for any
university, college, or other institution incorporated under the laws of
this State, with power to grant academic degrees, honorary or otherwise,
to confer the same upon any person or persons upon the payment, or
promise of payment, by any person, in consideration thereof; and any
person knowingly signing a diploma or other instrument of writing
purporting to confer an academic degree when such consideration has been
paid, or promised to be paid, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on
conviction thereof be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding five hundred
dollars and to undergo an imprisonment not exceeding six months, or
both, or either, at the discretion of the court.
“Approved May 19, 1871.”
