The morning call., 1890-05-10
WHY HE RESIGNED.
Rev. DR.. StrattOn's Reasons for
Leaving Mills College.
He Was indicated But Could Not Agree With
Mrs Mills Ideas of Collsge Laws.
Other designations.

At the special meeting OF the Trustees of Mills
College last Thursday President Stratton handed
in his resignation and was succeeded by Mrs.
Mills Rev. DR.. Stratton assigned In a speech 10
the Trustees the reason for severing his con-
necton with the college substantially as follows:
That when he accepted the place It was with the
definite understanding that he should be the head OF
all departments of the college and subject to the
Trustees only: that soon he should be in place
Mrs Mills was to go away TO Europe for one and
half or two years, and afterward leave college af-
fairs in other hands.
BROKEN AGREEMENT.
That this agreement has never been carried out.
and. that growing out of her continuance there.
chronic state of friction has existed that ground
OF friction has been conf ct of authority between
the lady principal and himself to their respective
funct that the matter was taken In hand by the
Trustees a year ago and code of laws enacted for
the regulation OF the points at ISSUE but the provs
Ions OF the code have not been respected.
An additional source of friction has been differ
enees respecting principles of teaching and methods
OF government The principal differences related
TO the method of governing students, ne holding TO
openness and straightforwardness 10 setting duty
conscience and reason; and his associate more to
what he terms espionage.
OF DIFFERENT MINDS.
To the treatment of teachers, President Stratton
holding that the past methods of the college have
been restrictive and he has aimed to place the
teachers upon the plane of college professors else
To the composition of the faculty. he desiring to
introduce larger male element and she preferring
TO eliminate this element. He that after the
annual commencement I1sr summer when he rec-
commended the organization of a department of En-
gish and the election of male professor in charge.
Mrs Mills expressed in private to one of the Trus-
tees, who will confirm this statement her opposition
aud her determination to get rid of all the male
professors, the President included and be herself
President of the college.
From these differences has arisen a spirit of
hostility against him which has created parties in
the faculty and factions in the school, and its in
Huence has extended to the Trustees and rendered
the discharge of his duties unpleasant and
the prosperity OF the college. He calls attention
also TO prevailing spirit of intrigue which he does
not approve. cannot abolish and will not endure.
thpSn q nd pir urpet n
hndS the Trustees practically poweress to correct.
Nothing but a revolution in the faculty can effect
that, and that until the surviving founder of the
college chooses to retire cannot be accomplished.
THE CALUMNIEs.
He discusses the calumnes recently inquired into
and dismissed from consideration by the board ana
calls attention to the following facts:
That when he first became aware OF their exist
ehce ne asked Tor prompt and full investigation
before the entire board. That any measure VI diff
ferent aim has never had his approval. That he
raised no objection because the Trustees had been
nominated by reason OF the special regard of one
whom he had como to consider his relentless an
taEohist; mat ne lnterposed no techncaiities and
objected TO no evidence whether heresay or irrele-
want and which anybody thought should be intro
duced. Inat when everything had been said against
him, and before the defense began a written propo-
stion came from his strongest foe in the board
stay OF proceedings and some terms OF settlement.
That he objected to this method and after reflect
ing ON the matter over night, wrote to his lawyer,
Judge Ravens, saying ne did not believe that
the - divine ORDER and requesting him to prepare
the defense.
YIELDED To FRIENDS.
That his judgment in the matter was overruled by
his friends and ne yielded. That among the pre-,
ilmlnary conditions OF the settlement were the fol-
THE suggestion and initiation of the movement
shall come from some Trustee In sympatby with the
accusations. That the idea of Dr. Stratton resign
ing at any time shall not be element OF the set
indicated"
Then follow the preamble and resolutions:
CHARGES DISMISSED.
WHEREAS, Growing out of serious and perpIexing
misunderstanding in the college, certain charges
ana cOunter-chargeS affecting the personal and
fessonal standing of DIR. G. c. Stratton other
members of the faculty, have beeu brought to the
attention of the board and whereas, these Charges
have in the presence of full board been patiently
and carefully considered,
Reso!ped, That in our judgment it is neither need
fnl nor wise that the said charges should enter
tained. 1t is therefore ordered that all proceedings
connected with the aforesaid matters be and the
same are hereby dismissed and the personal and
official standing of all persons connected with the
institution shall remain before these proceedings
were begun. And we recommend to all parties In
anywise connected with the aforesaid differences
that they shall. far in them lies lay aside all
feelings of luminosity and work together in a spirit
Of harmony and forbearanee and OF loyalty to Mills
College, remembering that the welfare of the cot
lege and the work connected herewith is of far
greater consequence than all possible questions of
precedence or official dignity
UNANIMOUS VOTE.
This settlement OF the case was adopted by
unanimous vote, ID out OF Is members being
present. This he understood to be complete
Yndcation from the calumnies the proceed
ings should not have rested there. and that he
might II he chose continue in his place and at
the close of the year suggest such changes In the
faculty as would bring II into harmony with his
plans.
AS far as this plan took shape in his mind 1t
has been disspated by the sensational publica-
tons since. and situation which before that time
he regarded as difficult he now deems unten-
able.
TRUSTEES AND TEACHERS RESIGN
he concluded with the statement that other
fields OF usefulness and honor have opened TO
him, in harmony with his tastes and free from
tue drawbacks OF his present position; and there
lore asks the Trustees to accept his resignation.
Three members OF the faculty, Miss Estella L.
Guppy, MA, teacher of Greek; Miss Mary Over
street. Principal OF the Grammar Department
and Miss Ellie M. Lair OF the Music Depart
ment, also resigned.
Then me the designations OF three OF the
board of Trustees, j. Ii. Wythe. D., DID,
Oakland; j. X. Mclean, DID,, Oakland, and
Giles II. Gray San francisco. They were also
accepted.