EDITORIAL 
143 
which had from the birth of the American Veterinary College 
proved itself an envious and jealous enemy, and was industriously 
occupying itself in insulting the new and flourishing school, and 
seeking to disparage the value of its diplomas. They professed 
to hold that though the “school” might have been “incorporated,” 
it still was not “chartered;” the “general law” was no law to organize 
under; a “special ” act of incorporation was the only proper one, 
and no other could guarantee a valid diploma; no veterinary sur- 
bgeon could be considered “regularly” graduated if he had only a 
American Veterinary College diploma. And much more of that 
sort, to the extent of their malice and ingenuity. Then came the 
suit against the United States Medical College, and the decision 
against it, declaring the illegality of its existence and organiza¬ 
tion, as determined by the decision of the Court. This was quite 
too grand an opportunity to leave unimproved. The American 
Veterinary College had been neglected and tolerated too long; 
the diplomas it issued must be again attacked, and, if possible, 
invalidated, by words at least, though not by resorting to the 
machinery of the courts, and reaching for a judicial decision, 
which was a cause for a procedure which might involve some other 
parties in unpleasant results. 
Public announcement that there is but one school authorized 
by “special act” to grant diplomas, having been freely and indus¬ 
triously promulgated, and acting upon the theory that persistent 
pounding on one spot, however light the impression made by each 
blow may be, and though the result may not be perfectly satisfac¬ 
tory, will yet inevitably leave some marks, the Alumni Association 
of the American Veterinary College, probably stimulated by some 
ill-disposed members, began to fear that there must be some ele¬ 
ment of truth in the persistent and slanderous assaults made upon 
the standing of their alma mater, and one of them was induced 
to institute a legal suit to test the value of his degree. But a 
favorable decision in this case, though readily granted, was not 
ikely to be satisfactory to the Board of Trustees of the College. 
They have honestly carried on their work for the last eleven years, 
md they feel that it cannot fail to be recognized and appreciated. 
L’heir act of incorporation is legally sound in every sense of the 
