The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-21
GOV. LowRY's STATEMENT.
He Denies Having Anything to Do with
the Discharge of Mrs. Kells.

the Discharge of Mrs. Kells.
From the Jackson Missy Clarion Ledger
SO much having been said OF late about
the abolition OF the chair occupied by Mrs.
II b. Kells at the Industrial Institute and
College at Columbus, holding Gov. Lowry
responsible therefor and at the same time
criticising severely his action in vetong
what is known as the "scien,ifc temper
ance bill, connecting the same with Mrs.
Kel's removal, on Saturday last reporter
interviewed the Governor and got his state
ment OF the matter. lie spoke freely and
with emphasis in answer TO the questions
propounded M follows
Reporter 49, Have you seen the COM
mcnis Of the papers touching the abolish
ment OF the chair filed by Mrs. ii. u.
kells at the Industrial college?
Goycrnor-Ies, sir, some Of them.
care the causes assigned and attributed
TO YOU true?"
"No, sir. The statements, so far M
am concerned. are absolutely false and
without the slightest foundation; in fact,
never knew until saw il published dur
ing the last few days that Mrs Kells ever
wrote line or made speech crticising
my veto OF the scientific temperance BILL
nor did know. until The commencement
at Columbus, that she attended the con-
yCntion at Natchez, and NV recollection is
that this information reached Inc after the
abolition OF the chair"
"llow is il, then, Governor that YOU are
charged by the newspapers with turning
Mrs. kells out?'
al am not able 10 inform you, but
affirm that neither the president Of the
college. nor one OF its trustees, nor mem
Der OF the faculty, nor any man or woman
in Mississippi, or elsewhere. ever heard
me, directly or indirectly, make any objcc-
! ton to Mrs Kclls OF any character, for
any cause whatever. | observe that one
OF the newspaper articles says: When
these reasons for vetoing were wrung from
him. meaning by Mrs. Kclls. Such
statement does not reach the dignity OF
respectable nonsense. The constitution Of
the State provides that II the Governor
does not approve bill he shall return it
TO the House in which it originated, with
his objections. This bill was returned on
the Sih OF March with the objections,
which can b. found ON pages Nos. 5gl-2,
OF the Senate journal. 1883, aud will add
that not Senator made q motion 10 pass
IL over the veto. The reasons for with
holding my approval were not questioned
10y the Senate, nor have | ever seen
criticism questioning tho merits Of the
message"
II see, Governor. that THE MEMPHIS
ArPgAL, speaking of the matter in connec-
ton with yourself, says lie has abused
/ his office, he has used his authority as
Governor TO punish a free woman, a,citiEen
Of Mississippi, for daring 10 liffer with him
and daring TO prove his want OF intelli.
gencc and his want OF sympathy. etc.
III cannot understand the love OF SANDER
and injustice thus displayed by news
paper with such prctentions TO rcspccta.
bility rs THE ArrENL. The statement is
without the shadow OF truth. II inquiry
had been made by the editor Of TnE AP-
ZEAL OF the several members Of the board
OF college trustees, all gentlemen OF charac.
ter, he would have learned that neither
did or said anything to influence the vote
OF any member on the question nbolishing
the chair held by Mrs. Kclls. By
such inquiry he would have found that his
| published uttcrancc was false in all IL
parts. Asabove mentioned, neycr heard
OF any criticism made by Mrs. Kclls of the
message mentioned, and certainly the ex-
ercise Of that privilege would not have cx-
cited my resentment had known OF IL. I
have yet 10 feel resentment oil any account
towards lady"
"will you please state. Governor, what
Mrs. kclls' position in the college was, and
what duties she pcriormed2'
"Airs. kclls was elected health officer,
and was 10 teach natural history and
/ oh al Al a
mnirun ~ the college. Mrs Kell is n lady
Of literary accomplishments and tastes and
the latter duty assigned her waA az I IN
dcriand, not agrccabl TO her. Nv further
understanding was that the board would
return 10 the system Of employing a ma.
iron, rs was done in previous sessions, aud
that the branches taught by the health
officer would be transferred 30 another do
partmcnt without the slightest detrimont
10 the educational interest OF the pupils,
thereby reducing the expenses OF the col.
lego corrcspondingly with the diminished
appropriation for It's support"
The Governor then proceeded 60 say:
That the educational institutions sup.
ported by the State have the same trustees
today that they had In 1852, when he was
indicted into office, except those who vol
UNFAIRLY resigned or died There are now
OF the old trustees Of tho University Of
Mississippi, Judges Clayton, Harris, Orr,
Simrall, Hill, Gen. VIII I. Martin, Coils.
White, Auldrow and Bsrr. These gentle.
men wec appointed by my worthy prcdo.
cessor, and rcappointed By me. have, a.
occasion required. by resignation or death,
appointed the following gentlemen for said
institution: Bishop Galloway, the Hon,
q. y. llowry, W. N. Wilkinson, Capt J.
y McNoily and DIR. r. r. Griffin. Tn,
old trustees Of the A. a NJ. college hav,
been retained aud some necessary vacan,
cies filled a. they occurred, one OF tho lat
Ter being my predecessor. ex.Gov. Stone. y
|. wow, Governor. II you will allow
single reference toano,hcr subjec. I would
like TO inquire II you pardoned thirteen
penitentiary convicts In one year al
charged by certain newspapers
u did not, but came very close 20 Il.
pardoned eleven, ten Of whom were par
doncd upon the recommendation OF DR.
Writ Johnston. physician Of tho pcniton
tiary, and the board Of control, consisting
OF Messrs. scrrions, Kyle and Mclaurin
aud the superintendent, Col. w. l.. Doss
These conyicts were afflicted with every
character Of disease and doubtless some Of
thom arc dead before this. Upon tho
ssne recommendation aud Tor lik,
,eason, ! would have pardonsd any mum
Der embraced thoroin.n