The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-06
Exploded.
The College Of Music Wrangle
Reaches a Climax.
Mr.. Thomas, Col. George Ward Mich.
OILS and Three Others Tender
fdJ.
Their designations.

The College Of Music tangle. of which we give
the details so far as developed since yesterday has
finally reached crisis, and the designations Of
Mr.. Theodore Thomas. the Musical Director, and
Colonel George Ward Nichols, President Of the
College have both been laid before the Board.
Mr.. Thomas resignation has been accepted.
The letter of Mr.. Reuben Springer Chairman
pro tenn. of the Board OF Directors, to Mr. Thorn
as, under date of lth contains the following:
'The Board regret that you should not go on to
the completion Of your contract but have no
wish to hold you to it. Ii you are for any cause u-
willing. They feel, however, that If you are to
leave the institution at ALL continuance till o.
tober will not be useful TO the college.
"The proper progress of the instruction and the
preparation for the new school year imperatively
demand .s complete good understanding between
you name covers not only the school year but the
following vacation down to the actual beginning
of the new term. You must see that whoever is
to take the direction must make the preparation
for that work."
The Board unanimously decline to receive the
resignation of Colonel Nichols, and in their letter
OF yesterday to that gentleman, speak as follows:
Their reasons, in brief. are these: They know
that the organization of the college was due to
your energy and to your untiring and unpaid
labor They know that your pride in its success
and your disnterested desire to further It's inter-
ests have been of inesumable importance to its
continued progress.
I'VE, therefore, assure you of our confidence,
ana OF our entire unwillingness to have YOU cease
your labors in behalf of the College or your official
connection with it.
"very respectfully and truly yours.
"R r. SPRINGER,
PETER RUDOLPH NEFT,
~. BURNET. JR,
"a. I. GosHoRN,
~. d. Cox,
".. "WM. WoRrH1NeroN,
Board OF Directors"
In addition to the above resignat ons have been
presented from Profs. Schneider. Foley and Mees.
From the reports of an interview with Mr..
Thomas published this morning it seems that the
trouble arose wholly through personal difficulties
between Mr. Thomas and Col. Nichols, troubles
| portant services in organizing and conducting the
financial affairs of the College to this time did
not feel at liberty to dispense with in the future
The contract with Mr. Thomas extended TO the
1st OF October 1883, at an annual salary of $40 000
| and one of the conditions was that he should re-
side at or near Cincinnati. 1t was also provided
| that
| During the said period the said Thomas shall
give his entire professional services solely to the
said College. He shall. however be entitled to an
annual vacation OF at least six weeks, to be taken
at such period or periods Of the year as shall &C.
cord with the College vacation.
| With the consent Of the College, evidenced in
writing, signed by one of its executive officers,
tue sdlu lnOnlaS may engage 10 acC al COnQuctOI
OF an Orchestra that may perform. or as Director
| of musical performances that may be given not
under the direction of the College but in every
such instance he shall account to and pay over to
| the said College twenty per cent. of the compen.
| sation that shall be received by him therefor,
| 1t is now understood that the school shall con
tnue under the charge of Col. Nichols, the teach
| ing as heretofore under the same efficient corpi
of professors mainly who have taught under Mr.
Thomas musical direction.
| Whether the latter gentleman shall leave very
shortly or continu here until October lst, as ha
been proposed, is q matter for negotiation be
tween him and the Board of Directors and will b.
determined later.
1t seems public misfortune that our growin
Musical College should be deprived at this time O
the great abilities of Mr.. Thomas, but the Direc,
ors of the institution are all practical men an,
have evidently weighed well the meaning of thei
action, and we think the public will acquiesce il
the result as the only course that in view OF all th,
circumstances In the case was practicable.