38 
SOCIETY MEETINGS 
Dr. L. McLean moved in amendment, that the report be not received. 
There being no seconder to this, it was ruled out. The question being called for, 
the motion was put and carried. 
Dr. Field, chairman of the Prize Committee, said the committee had been 
notified of their appointment by the Secretary, and that only one college had 
accepted the invitation to compete for the prize. According to the Secretary’s 
letter of July 12, he had therefore arranged to have the examination held at a 
date to suit the parties interested, which was fixed for February 26, and under 
date of the 16th, he so notified the Secretary. After all this had been done, he 
received through the Secretary, a letter dated the 17th of February, from Dr. L. 
McLean, as Secretary of the New York College, stating that there would be 
graduates from that school and that they would be ready about March 17, and 
asking what date the examination would be held. He replied, giving the date 
arranged. He moved, seconded by Dr. Birdsall, that the committee be 
discharged. 
Dr. L. McLean moved as an amendment, seconded by Dr. R. W. Finlay, 
that the committee be not discharged until he had been heard. This being carried, 
he stated that he was the originator of the gold medal given by the Society. He 
had expected manliness and fair play; it was all he asked for. On February 17, 
he had notified the Chairman of the Examining Committee, through the Secre¬ 
tary, that there would be at least six members of the New York College to com¬ 
pete for the prize, and asked for the date of the examination. He stated that the 
students would be graduated about March 20. He had received a reply stating 
that the examination would be held on February 20, and that the prize was only 
open to graduates. Surely the New York College could not be expected to close 
its session three weeks before its time, neither would it be expected the American j 
Veterinary College would lengthen its session for that length of time. He con¬ 
tended that the medal had been gobbled up, three weeks before the students of 
the New York College were ready to compete. He could «iot say whether or 
not the students of the American Veterinary College were afraid to meet those 
of the New York. 
Dr. R. W. Finlay said he did not know what had been the rule regarding 
the medal. If it was open to the three oolleges, it would hardly appear that the 
New York College had had fair play. 
Dr. Birdsall considered that only one mistake had been made, and that was, 
in not allowing students instead of graduates to compete, subject to graduating. 
Dr. R. A. McLean said he was present at the examination, and had formally 
objected to the committee proceeding to award the prize. 
Dr. R. W. Finlay had no desire to reprimand the Prize Committee. If the 
usual rule had been followed, they should be discharged. 
Dr. J. S. Cattanach said he agreed with Dr. L. McLean, that both colleges 
should have had a day set apart for the examination. 
Secretary Pendry stated that perhaps he could throw some light on the sub¬ 
ject. On January 23d he had notified the three colleges, Cornell, New York 
and the American, that the Society would give a prize of a gold medal for the 
best practical examination passed by any graduating student of 1886, of these col¬ 
leges, and asking to be informed at once whether or not they would send any, 
and about what time they would be ready, repeating precisely what had been 
