Omaha daily bee., 1888-07-18
THE INVESTIGATION RESUMED
A Further Ventilation OF the Trouble
at the State University.
MANY Ex-sTupeNTs EXAMINED
Their Testimony Substan tally the
Same as Ttat haduccd ut the
Former Sessions OF tho
Board Of Regents.
LINCOLN BUREAU OF THE OMAHA Bee,
1929 Z STREET,

sDeh
investigation into the conduct of Chancellor
Manatt since he became the recognized head
of the state university. The alumni iutro-
duced MIR. Frank w. Kramer for the purpose
Of substantially proving the charge in speci-
~fication seven. Being duly sworn he stated
that he became a stedent OF the university
during the fall of 1884. Prior TO his matri-
c~ulation, however, he formed the acqusint-
ance Of S. S. Chase, with whom he made
arrangements to live and work for his board
during his student days. That he might do
this he sought relief from drill in the cadet
corps and called upon the chancellor to see
whether or not he could be relieved
from such duty. II told the chancellor"
said MIR. Kramer, that I had to
make my own way and had engaged
to do chores and other work for my bread,
but would have TO walk eight miles each day,
which | could not do and attend to drill ex-
ercises. He advised me to go home and so
to work and save the money necessary to
take me through echool and then to come
back, but he did it in such u way that 1T hurt
my feelings very deeply. But he excused me
from drill" The cross-examination took up
but a moments time, and the prosecution
rested. The chancellor asked the witness If
the advice he gave him was not due 10 the
great distance he would have to walk each
day, to which he replied. Il do not know,
but the manner in which you advised me
hurt my feelings very much."
Prof. Charles Il. Bennett was first called
by the defense and duly sworn. He said that
he was the principal of the Latin department
of the state university, and had been during
the three years last past. He further stated
that his relations with the chancellor, faculty
and students had been rather close and init
mate, and that he felt himself competent to
testify ON most questions, if not all, raised in
the alumni's charges against the chancellor.
The witness very positively asserted that the
chancellor's rulings and bearing when in fac
ulty meetings We're uniformly dignit1ed and
fair, aud while he sometimes used sarcasm
and irony, he thought not sufficiently severe
10 warrant the specified charges Of
the alumni association. Indeed" tine
witness said, sit was extremely rare
when the chancellor used irony and
sarcasm IN faculty meetings. ! attended
them quite regularly, but happened to be alb
sent at the time of the open rupture between
the chancellor and Prof. Mcmillan. In his
relations with the Students the witness
said, THE chancellor was uniformly very
patient, considerate aud as deferential as he
could well be considering the dignity of his
position. | happened TO witness the meeting
between Chancellor Manatt and Mr.. Tinker,
the student who testified against the chancel-
lor regarding the disposition of the society
meetings, arranged for a share in the pro-
grainme OF commencement week, but which
were opposed by the chancellor. .Tinker's
attitude was very defiant and his language
Indicated passion. The chancellor treated
with this matter very calmly and, | thought,
wisely; his bearing toward Mr.. Tinker was
certainly very kind and considearate. l was
present when Mrs. Lloyd ana the chancellor
met in the laboratory. and heard the language
attributed to the chancellor by the lady. l
could not see anything very caustic or iron
lcal in the language, You have gagged your
work above the capabilities OF your pupils
The circumstances warranted it. Yes, Prof.
Howard said to me on one occasion thief the
faculty would not stand any more oe the
chnncellor's aggressions. The conversation
that followed this remark impressed me ira
the faculty had entered into a conspiracy
against the chancellor and would resent flu
ture actions on his part not in the line with
their wants and convictions. l have also
heard Prof. Howard advise the abandonment
of the Office of chancellor, and II government
of the faculty to take its place"
Prof. Bennett was cross examined at great
length, but in spirit and fact his testi-
mony remained mistaken. 1t is
true, however. that matters of personal
upon the charges under investigation, were
developed, viz: That the chancellor and he
were on very friendly terms; that the wit
ness expected professional advancement
through the aid Of the chancellor. but not
under pressure of allegiance to the admins
~tration; that the witness and Administrative
had not always been friendly; that grievances
between them had existed, but that they had
been settled without official ~interposition.
lllt ilbtcttu via bS CSLccuitu tnt
chancellor competent for the position he
held, and that he was fair and dignified in
his rulings and government OF faculty meet
ings. He claimed friendly feelings for the
faculty and all parties interested in the in
vestigation, and was deliberate, fair, frank
and seemingly honest i'll all OF his state
ments.'
Regent Mallalieu settled the impression by
o few timely questions that there had been
q collision between the professor and chan
cplla1- r.lntivp IN the salary and advancement
Of the witness, and the fact was most
thoroughly developed that Bennett is still
working for the same salary paid him the
first year, whereas the understanding was
chat if he proved to be the party wanted by
reason Of competency and experience, he was
TO receive the salary of u profcssor-S2,C COO
per year. 1t seems that the chancellor had
agreed to recommend the raise of his salary
f4O0, recently, at the present meeting of the
board of regents.
Judge Allen w. Field, a graduate OF the
university of the class Of 1877, was called to
the stand and sworn, testifying that he was
N member of the alumni association and
had been since the year following his
In the habit of attending the
meetings OF the ASSOCIATION. When asked If
no had attended the last meeting of the
alumni, he said: II did not because l
received no notice that such n meeting was
TO have been held. 1t is usual" said Judge
Field, for notices to be given, and some
times the Officers or the association are SO
polite that invitations are issued, Such no
tice or invitation may have been given but
received none.n Judge Field further said
that had his attention been called to the
meeting he should most certainly have at
tended. Witness did not believe that the
meeting was generally known. He said that
the conservative members of the association
would have entered a vigorous protest
against the passage of the resolution; that il
never would have passed had the meeting
been generally attended, and that he believed
that he was in u position to know whai
he was testifying to. He said that one great
reason for this IS because the majority Of the
association know very little regarding tn,
present 'internal" condition of the affairs a
university; that the past had demonstrate
that the chancellor's position In the Nebraska
university was something like II whipping
post, to be used by the faculty as circum
stances and conditions might warrant, AM
always to hide behind when personality wa
to be mirrored in any way. The witness wa
very sure the university had prospered undo
the management OF Chancellor Manatt. Tn
matriculation of students from all over tn
state and the union, since the commencement
of his administration was proof suhi
Gent of this. Growth in 4 enroll
ment had been without precedent durin
the entire history of the institution. TIL
university has a fair name abroad, and unit
the hasty and unwise action of the alumni.
at its last meeting, very little was known o
''trouOlc brewing and growing even in tn