The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-25

lations, of any nature whatsoever, in regard to
students in said institution joining or belonging
to any college secret society shall have be sn alb
| solutely and completely abrogated. and shall re-
main so; that complete immunity has been
granted said students to connect themselves
with any college secret society they may desire,
and like statement shall be filed with the Audi
tor before each Quarterly warrant is drawn"
This extraordinary "rder" was supported by
member of the finance committee, in still
more extraordinary speech-a speech that reck-
| lessy exposed the rear of both rider and horse.
| Senator Foulke, of Wayne, followed in an able
and eloquent defense of college authority. He
| denounced the proposed rider as ga stab at the
college" and "an insult TO its board of trustees
and faculty." He was followed by other hOnora-
| BILE representatives of 1.-THE Greek world" who
opposed the rider In strong terms, and ii needed
no vote to show that the committees rider"
was defeated. The Senate adjourned without
taking vote, thus afording an opportunity for
the easy defeat of the entire mischief All that
was needed that night was a bold word from
those occupying high official positions in the
State, and who, by virtue of such positions,
should be the guardians of the State insti-
tutions in all such emergencies But
| Purdue failed TO receive this expected
support With few honor able exceptions every
politician who was aspiring to be United States
senator or Governor, member of Congress,
| either quietly connlved at the wrong or was
silent.
The next morning Senator johnson, of Tippe-
canoe moved as a substitute for the amendment
| proposed the following: "For Purdue UuiVersi-
! ty, $4,000, provided that before any part of
Ill,
adopted by Purdue University affecting secret
societies, and Greak fraternities in particular,
| shall be rescinded,"
strong and earnest effort, headed by Sena-
tor Graham, of Madison, was made to secure the
! needed appropriation of 100000 without the OBJ
| iectiOnable rider, but Mr.. Johnsons substitute
was finally passed and sent, with other amend
ments to the bill, to the House for its concur
| renee.
| OF the imperiled institution and made an appeal
| to the General Assembly.
This appeal was published in the Journal at
| the time and is omitted.-Ed.J
This step was taken with some hope that the
House, which had once so wisely and emphatic
| ally rejected this "Greek" rider, would refuse
concurrence in the Senate's proviso; but legisla
| tive tactics prevented separate vote on any
| Senate amendment, the report of the conference
! committee as a whole adopted, and the APP
preparation bill only needed the signature of the
proper officers to become a law. At this juncture
the House, for well-known reasons, reconsdered
it's vote on the passage OF the BILL meanwhile
the time fixed by the constitution for legislation
| passed, and the General Assembly adjourned,
leaving the appropriation bill among its sun
| finished business" This left Purdue University
without "rider" and without appropria-
ton
My second object in resi- gning, as 1 did, was
10 bring the men responsible FOR tins at
the bar Of public opinion for judgment,
| and this result has been accomplished. I re-
call few Instances of mischievous legislation not
immediately affecting the interests of the great
body of the people, universally condemned
| as this has been. Editors who through their
| exchanges nave access to most OF the papers in
the State inform me that not paper, so far
| as they know, has approved of the measure,
while scores of their exchanges have condemned
lt In the strongest terms. Its condemnation by
college men and the educators of the country
generally has been as emphatic as it has been
universal.
| 1t seems fitting that, in this connection I
acknowledge the kindness and appreciation of
| the many friends who, after the failure of the
appropriation bill, so strongly urged me to with
draw my resignation. II must suffice to say that
| was not able to see either duty or personal in
terest in such action.
| resigned, as a high duty TO the cause of
higher education by the State, and the act has
! increasingly the approval Of my judgment. 1
am happy to be able to add that in the long con-
testOf which this rider outrage is the elimination,
| L do not recall an important step that would
/ retrace. In every succe ssive emergency 1 have
| acted more wisely than knew, and / am CON
tent TO submit my course not only to the verdict
of the college world, but also to the judgment of
all intelligent friends of college government.
| In taking leave of Purdue University l sever,
| probably permanently, my official connection
| with the American industrial college and the
| great educational problem committed to it. To
the solution of this problem have devoted the
best thought and effort of my lite The work
here accomplished has been done under great
embarrassment and difficulty, and 1t is very graf
| living to be permitted 10 see hopeful indications
of near success.
| 1t affords pleasure to know that the re
| sponsibillty and task which 1 assumed in ac-
ceptlng the presidency of this young industrial
wide experience in public education and strong
| confidence in the special work here undertaken,
are an assurance or the successful outcome OF
this great educational experiment.
cannot close this report without an expires
| sion of my high appreciation of the services of
| the trustees OF the university. who. with re-
| narkabie unanimity and intelligent purpose,
have sustained Its authority, and who, with ad-
| nirable foresight, propose to sustain it to the
end. IL is with deep emotion that acknowledge
my great obligation to the members and officers
of the board for their unfaing confidence and
support in the trying duties to which have
been called. | also desire to txtend most
grateful acknowledgment to my colleagues in
the faculty for their kind sympathy,
generous confidence, and earnest co-operat alton
and support in all these years OF arduous but
hopeful effort Their fidelity to duty, patience
under disconragement, and earnest devotion to
| the best interests of thu university have won
| aud held my highest esteem need not at
| tempt an expression of my admiration for asso-
! ciates who in every eXigeucy have had the cOur-
age and wisdom to present united front to the
| enemy Of college order, whether inside or out
| side the college walls. 1t gives me great pleas
ure to express the hope that those who remain,
| with those who succeed us that retire, may now
have the opportunity to work the great
| problem of higher industrial education without
| the interference of the students and alumni of
the classical COLLEGES, aud without any further
| questioning of their rightful authority.
| Most respectfully submitted.
| Il. i. WHITE,
| President Purdua IrnivarstrV