CONSOLIDATION OF CENTRAL UNIVERSITY AND
                       CENTRE COLLEGE

     In the judgment of many, the crowning act in Dr. Blanton's life
 was the uniting of the Presbyterian forces for education in Kentucky.
 Had he opposed it, the executive committee of Central University would
 not have authorized him to "make or receive" propositions for co-
 operation or consolidation of the rival schools.  Had he opposed it,
 the whole Board of Curators would not have asked for a called meeting
 of the Synod to conclude the matter.
    The Synod met in the First Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Tues-
 day, April 23, 1901, 2 p. m. There were enrolled 62 ministers and
 33 ruling elders-every Presbytery having several representatives. The
 debate on consolidation continued through the afternoon and to nearly
 midnight. The vote was viva voce. The writer was in the Moder-
 ator's chair, owing to Rev. M. B. Porter, Moderator, having been
 called away. As nearly as his hearing indicated, the vote for consol-
 idation was nearly unanimous-possibly not more than five against it.
 On page 28 is the following record: "Upon a motion by Rev. Dr.
 T. A. Bracken, and by a rising vote, the Synod thanked Dr. L. H.
 Blanton for his long, faithful, and able services in the management of
 Central University."
    In June following, the Curators of Central University held their
last meeting at Richmond during the Commencement. Then the fol-
lowing paper was adopted, which is a volume in itself:


RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF CURATORS OF CENTRAL UNI,
               VERSITY CONCERNING DR. BLANTON
    In connection with the completion of the plans to consolidate Cen-
tral University and Centre College into one institution, to be known as
the Central University of Kentucky, the Board of Curators of Central
University, now soon to pass out of existence, desires at this meeting
to place on record an expression of the deep obligation which this Board
and the Synod of Kentucky owes to the Rev. L. H. Blanton, D. D.,
Chancellor of the University for over twenty-one years.
    In doing so, it makes mention of the fact that when he took charge
of the University it was in every way at a very low ebb, and that by
patient, wise, and persevering efforts he soon established it on a basis
which enabled it to do good work during the subsequent years, as is
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