EDITORIAL 
455 
about, viz. : “ That the Association of Veterinary Faculties of North America was 
not properly organized; that the fact of a few persons engaged in teaching in SOME of 
the veterinary colleges of North America being asked to unite for the purpose of organ¬ 
izing, had no value; that the only proper way to have the organization possessed of a 
solid standing was to have the officers of the colleges notified of the project in view , 
and they to delegate professors from their faculties to represent each individual college. 
Speaking of officers of a college, I do not mean the teachers, the professors, nor the 
dean, nor the principal. I mean the board of directors, the. board of trustees, the 
GUARDIANS of the charter, which is the life of a school. 
Was this done? If it was not, I say it again, Stop and begin over again ! 
You know, Mr. Chairman, it was not done. 
Instead of that which, in my humble estimation, ought to have been done, what 
did take place ? 
With, perhaps, some slight errors of no value, I know it was thus: Notices 
were sent to some, to very few, not to all, not to every member of some faculties. 
Was this correct? Why to a few only? Were these few the masters of all? 
Why should they be invited to assume certain powers, when only those who had that 
power did not delegate them to assume it ? 
These notices mentioned the intention to have a meeting to organize at the 
annual gathering at Philadelphia. Some were present, others were absent (I, unfor¬ 
tunately, among those). The organization took place, officers were elected, and, as 
I said, the child was born in a hurry, a premature delivery. Afterwards notices were 
sent to those who had been elected members ©f the Association ; they were placed on 
various committees, and to-day you prepare, yourself, the second act of that which, 
should not the subject be so important, and should I not fear to indulge in person¬ 
alities, I would call a farce , a comedy 4 
Of what value can be the decision resulting from the discussion of the subjects 
on “ Prescribed Entrance Examination on “State Boards of Veterinary Examin¬ 
ers and their relation to Veterinary Colleges ; ” on “ Uniform Degrees on “ Com¬ 
petitive Examinations for Veterinary Faculties,” with an amalgam like that which 
composes your organization, viz. : 
1st. Representatives, mostly all, "without sanction, authority or power to represent. 
2d. Representatives of two and three year schools. 
3d. Representatives of private institutions and of colleges attached to universities, 
as departments; and 
4th. In the presence of schools which exist now and are not represented in your 
Association of faculties, and, still more, who are not represented in the mother 
national body. 
Mr. Chairman, the work that lies before you seems to me very simple, and can 
be performed at once, without anyone fearing that his pride has lost any of its right. 
You recognize your illegal organization, and state so to the Association. You ask 
power to continue your work as a committee, not as an association, and then begin 
over again in obtaining your official appointment from the trustees and directors 
of the various places where veterinary education is carried out. You can then reor¬ 
ganize later on, and be prepared to enter into the performance of your work “ as it 
should be," and with the certainty of receiving the approval and support of every 
member of the profession. 
