The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-17
MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY.
THE CAUSES OF THE PRESENT
RUMPUS
Stated BY an Ex-Student-Rejected
professors as Martyrs Let the
People Elect the Trustees.
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things to warrant this report, but
there has never been any hing to JUS
tify the malicious statements OF GER
tain parties who are as ignorant oil the
needs Of the school as unqualified to
Judge OF the wants and qualifications
of those whom they accuse. There
have been at several times newspaper
REPORTS OF erta!n professors and Of the
workings of the university from some
who profess TO be jealous Of its inter
ests. when 10 fact they we're misdl-
rected hy els)pal and insane preJu-
dice and ignorant OF the true cause
OF the diseontent. These reI oTts
have bsen 100 much accredited
by the psop'e OF MISSISSIPPI,
who took ior granted that sueh
writers were informed and responsible
Even auch eminent men es com
pose the hone rADle Board OF trustees
seem TO have lent too ready ear to
these a we'll as to certa n persons WI o
met them personally, and through bias
or mistaken zeal, had more inhuence
than their knowledge or ability VIII
Justify. Thus there was spread over
the State the idea that something
must be done" and 80 the board came,
resolved on doing something ms
board is composed OF the ablest men
in the State, but the best men Will
aleep. and IL is too near the truth t1at
these men have been tak,nga Rip Van
Wrinkle snooze OF about ten years.
But the muttsrirgs OF the storm walked
them up and hearing the clamor that
''someihipg must be done" they be.
gan to stiike before they fairly got
their eyes open. Urged by the vulgar
cry OF few clamorous voices, they
struck blindIy about until they had
struck out some of the very best pro-
lessons in the faculty, men whose
places cannot bs supplied.
The question lie asked now who runs
the university? The StateP No. The
Legislature? No. The trustees? No.
The f,cultyl There never was IL big
ger mistake. It's number OF clam
orous busy bodies who have succeeded
in getting an article in the newspapers
or have got hearing with the trus-
tees, aud they then yell, "Turn the
rascals out" A few CT these are stu
dents, but invariably of the lower
classes, subfreshmaD, freshman, end
one or two sophomores. With an am
bilious bitterness that ranks the spe-
Cies their object is TO tear down; they
prefer to reign in hell than serve in
heaven. For instance: Just before
commencement one OF the students
approached another who has the honor
Of holding up the dropping tail OF tia
subireshman class, and accosted him
somewhat thus: "Well, M, are you
coming back next year," "No," re-
piled the gentleman Of the rear guard,
with all the grace OF bis profession
"not unless there's change in the fac
ulty." Now this from a prep, whose
opinion would not attract enough at
tention to be held in contempt there
where he is known, yet would, in q
newspaper, have all the weight OF that
of a philosopher.
This is the way it has been. The
loudest voice Is listened to and some
OF the best men and blest instructors
in the university, men whose supe-
Tiors are not to be found are s'nt adrilt
because som,thing must be done. Thus
must the interests OF the school and
those of the State be sacrificed to app
pease the fury OF this dminutive bark
ing Cerberus. Besides these mentioned
there is another claes OF grumblera
doting mothers, who complain OF the
professors, because their hopeful sonl
didn't make the rise. l have known
such who would buttonhole every
man OF the board and pour into hi
ear the tale Of their wrongs with a
much zest and with some have as
much influence as il their sons had
actually been men OF brains.
OF course the trustees are no
wholly responsible for these Ill re
ports and not wholly Tor the weight
they have had, for they must listen II
some one, as they have not them
selves attended any lectures, recita
tons, etc, In person, 1t unfortu
na,ely occurred that tho first the,
heard and the hardest they heard wa
from such uuauthentiC sources.
1t is not my business to dictate 4
that honorably body what they shall
do or 10 whom they shall listen, but
would thine, II il be not immodes, TO
one OF the number to say it, that th
voice OF the alumni who have beer
with these prof, s;ors and from thet
experience Of them are ursl nted 4
Judge of thti- All ties ald than whor
no one could feel q deeper interest II
the uuivoJs ty, should be leari /
their mtdit tons and weighed in thei
Counsels. There has been such eS
preaions from number OF them. som
in your columns, but enough cannc
be said ia favor of some OF these mel
30 proficient in scholarship, 30 able i
instruc ion and go worthy in the
Christian character. Too much car
not be said in condemnation of the III
iutt att cks that have been made upo
their names, and which II is believe
had some weight in the wrong thI
WIS done them in June.
Tlen, ia there hope, or possibility
oil imp owing matters by a change
These men have been tried, and n
competent authority can pronounC
them anything less than sucoess, br
there is Ger a'nly a chance, and, iudt
ing from some past experience, grei
probability, of getting inferior men
succeed them. OAe OF the board r
marked recently that men who hG
come highly recommended had ialle
shot of expectation 1t is now sligh
~ amusing to see the wSyapplicatol
have poured in from every quartz
from man who would hide the
diminutive heads before Il
mn they seek 10 repla
and yet they come recommended
they had "a much brains NJ brass thu
might hope to win distinction.
1t is impossible to take by nan
these professors who have been tn,
without any assignable cause depriv,
OF their chairs and do just.cs to the
abilities / could not extol the
merits because my mind could n,
reich the point toey have won al
maintained by their talents and TO
One OF these is Gen G. w. Sea,
who hes grown old in the serviC
with bis mental vigor never WI
impaired Beyond the considerable
of the distinguished service he It
dered and the loss hesustained for o
people-for he bsgs nothing now
II, - L. L.. L 4