The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-14
CoNovER STICKS TO HIS FRIEND
Regent Smith Makes Serious Charges
Against North Dakota Contingent.
Sam Herren Taken Back to Chehalfs and
Discharged From Custody-A Lynden
Boy Kills His Grandfather, Mistaking
Him for Tramp.


arrived this morning, and the regents
plunged at once into the work of provid-
ing successor to Lilley. Fellows did not
attend. Chairman Conover stated at the
opening of the meeting that all routine
business had been attended TO. all that was
left being conference on the report to be
submitted to the governor and the presi-
Dental controversy. On the latter ques-
ton many letters were read favoring
divers applicants.
Representative Smith, of Pierce, was
allowed the floor to enlarge upon the quail
ifications of Prof. Hendricks for the posi-
ton. After finishing Regent Smith took
the floor, and, walking nervously from
side to side of the room, made the follow
ing address:
am about to make a motion which will cause
change i'll tho presidency of the college.
would have made it six months ago if had not
been In the minority. Now | am in the ma
tority, supported by men who will do every
thing at the right time, men OF single purpose of
mind, who have the best interests OF the institu-
tion in view. Before making the motion, how
ever. wish to make statement.
Here Regent Smith read long docu-
ment explaining and justifying his oppo-
sition to President Lilley. He continued:
l now move that Prof. John w. Hcston, of
Seattle, be selected presden; OF the state agri-
cultural college and school of science.
This motion was amended to proceed by
informal ballot, prior to which Conover
said he would vote for Lilley, thinking it
inoppor:une at this time for the president
to be removed, he being absent and ill. !.
Lesh Immediately and emphatically
stated that Lilley knew ne was to be re-
moved; that his private character had
nothing to do with it. 1t was simply his
inability and incompetency, the news
papers Of the state to the contrary not
withstanding. He regretted Lilley's ILL
ness, but removal had been deferred only
to secure data for report to the COVER
nor. Said data has not yet been received,
and prompt action in the matter was
therefore now necessary.
The other regents expressed themselves
the same way, even Conover saying no
charges against Lilley's character had
ever been made before the board.
On the motion to proceed with the cleo
tion of president. Bellinger, Lesh and
Smith voted aye and Conover no. An in
formal ballot resulted: Heston 2, Hen
bricks 1, Lilley 1. The first and second
formal ballots were: Heston 2, Hendricks
2. The third formal ballot was: Heston
3, Lilley /, Conover voting for his favorite.
Heston was declared elected, and Con-
over was instructed to inform him and the
governor, asking that the new president
report Immediately for duty. The board
then entered into executive session on the
report to the governor.
Before adjournlng the following resolu-
ton was presented and carried:
Resoired, That Prof Scobey, OF the chair OF
agriculture be and he is hereby notified that
his services will not be required after December
81, 1899, his connection with the college to ter
inmate at that time.
No successor was appointed. After n
short evening session the board adjourned
to meet at Tacoma tomorrow. The next
called meeting will be at Pullman.
Following is an extract from Regent
Smiths statement:
On the first day of December. 1891, board
meeting was held in Pullman from which was
unsvoidably absent At this meeting, however,
a resolution was passed authorizing Prof Lilley
to set about to get all necessary help required
the faculty. Following close upon this resolu-
tioD. and at the same meeting. he laid before
the board the names of several OF his friends
and former associates Of South Dakota. The
minutes OF the meeting show that these parties
were Immediately voted for and elected to vari-
GUS positions in the faculty and Prof. Lillcy was
instructed to notify them OF their election and
the fact that the school would open on January
13 This he admits he did, but he has not even
a copy of his letters to show what be said to
them. and the significance of this
can best explain by stating what happened
later In due time these professors came on
and took possession OF their respective chairs at
the opening Of the college on January Is. 1892.
7 hn al nv fho a1ary tbnx-
were to receive. and finally the question OF the
time their salary should commence became a
matter for the board TO agree upon. After some
discussion upon the subject made a motion,
which was carried, that their pay commence on
the 1st day of January-thirteen days before the
school opened-the professors claiming to bs
entitled TO pay from the day the board took
action. There were present at this meeting
Regents Conover, Hopp and myself. Conover
voting with me carried my motion. and being
treasurer of the board il was my duty to pay ell
vouchers properly acted on and drawn against
funds in my hands. About two months after
the meeting / received from Prof. Llley, among
Others three vouchers drawn in favor Of Profs.
scobey, Mum and Lake for SIG 6s each, reac Ing
for salary from December 10. 1891. to January /,
1872 Knowing OF no December salaries hav-
ing been allowed, I wrote to Prof. Liiiey on
July for information. mentioning the fact that
to my knowledge the question had long ago
been settled by passing my resolution. re-
ceived an answer from him dated July g. 1892
in which he says In full on the subjee. as fol-
lows:
PULLMAN, Wash, July 9, 1891
remember the motion you made. IL was as
Won saw but took il that you was not in earnest
about the matter, and SO did Ar. Hopp. Mr.
Conover said the matter could go over TO some
meeting when Mr.. Fellows could be present
This was said after he had voted He gave me
TO understand that was not to put it in the
minutes OF the meeting, and / did not. / took
it that 10 was done more to JOKE the professors
who were present than anything else. The
matter came up At the last meeting after you
left aud they all agreed on December 10. Yours
truly. GEORGE LILLEY.
thought the whole transaction very strange
and sought legal advice, and also laid the mat
ter before the governor, who is by law an advis-
ory member of the board. was instructed to
snd out what wa. said by Mr.. LilIey TO the pro-
sessors In his letter TO them notifying them of
their election. This / was unable 20 learn as
Prot Idiley said he had kept 20 copies. / was
finally informed that there was way out OF il
but 10 par the vouchers, which / did. bu. on
October 70 1892 again referred to the matter
and inquired OF Prof. Liliey, in the presence OF
Regents Be!linger and Lesh, why he left that Nc
ton of the minutes, and his answer was:
"Conover winked at me. so left IL out" This
wink cost the institution 33ies8
still another instance showing Prof. Lilsy .
characteristics 10 found in his letters TO me con-
cerning his salary fo- that part OF the year 1891
when an injunction held everything at a stand
still aud Prot Liliey was soiourning in South
DAKOTA When voucher Was presented by him