The Indianapolis journal., 1893-06-09
TIE STUDENTS ARE ANGRY
Discharge of Arnold Tompkins from the
State Normal May Cause Trouble.
The Professor Has an Enthusiastic Backing
Among the Students. but Doesn't Stand
In" with the Trustees or Faculty.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.
TERRE HAUrE, Ind, June S.-Between
two hundred and three hundred students
went to the courthouse this evening to
hold q meeting, but leaders in the Tomp-
kins movement advised them to disperse.
1t was said that q meeting wonid be hold
in the morning. There is no doubt that
several hundred students arc in favor of
leaving the school The board of trustees
is determined to stand by its action even
If the thousand students here leave the
school
1t took the board but few minutes this
afternoon to remove Professor Tompkins.
About o'clock n committee of fifteen stu
dents asked permission to be heard by the
board. They presented q petition. signed
by four hundred students. asking the board
to give it's reasons for calling for the resig-
nasion of Professor TompkiDe. They were
gwen to understand. In q very pointed
way, that the board did not feel called
on to do SO. but that in O statement ad-
dressed to the public the information
would be found. When the committee was
with the board the corridors about
the entrance were crowded with
students There has been intense
excitement throughout the day aud the
school worK has been practically useless.
There is talk of both the senior and junior
classes. at least. Withdrawing from the
school. This morning Professor Tompkins
was again cheered when he came into the
assembly room for devotional exercises.
and the cheers were repeated In his class
room. He claims that ho has endeavored
TO stop these demonstrations. but cannot.
He has a remarkable influence with the
students. The folio wing official statement
of the board was issued after Its meeting q
this afternoon:
The trustees Of the State Normal School deem
1t proper. under the existing circumstances, to
make the following statement 10 the public:
Three years ago. in June, 1890, Professor Arnold
Tompkins was elected To membership In the fac
uity on the recommendation OF President Par
sons. At the end of the school year. June. 1891.
the president stated TO the trustees that Prof.
Iompkins had an application TO take the presi-
dency OF q school at Fort Wayne. but that he
would remain in the Normal faculty II the board
would advance his salary to $4,000. The
board declined 10 make this advance,
but did raise his salary to $1,000. along
with some other members OF the faculty.
Some months later Professor Tomkinss wife
applied TO the president of the school for posi-
ton In the faculty. The president told her
plainly and cOurteously that he could not rec
ommend her TO the trustees for position. Soon
after rumors came TO tho president from many
sources 10 the effect that Professor Tompkins
was severely criticising the boards selection OF
teacners, ana making ulsparaglng remarks about
the work of the departments OF the school; also,
that he had taken nnfriendly attitude to-
wards the administration, and was CRITICS.
ing in an unwarranted manner the
management or the schools The pres
ident called Professor Tompkins's at
tentfon to these ruinOrs, stating that IL the
things reported were true. they should be IS
continued. Professor Toinpkins denied any i,u-
proper action and demanded an Investigate by
the board. An entire forenoon was given 10 an
investigation OF these rumors, Professor Tomp-
kins being present. The investigation proved
that the reports were substantially true, but the
trustees feeling that possibly they resulted from
indiseretion. rather than wrong Intentions as he
assured them, and wishing 10 give Professor
Tompklns opportunity 10 retrieve himself,
communicated To him their disapprovai OF his
conduct and expressed the desire that he might
in the future cooperate heartily with
the trustees. president and other men,
hers OF the faculty In their efforts 10
promote the interests of the school. President
Parsons strongly urged I'll at he be given this op-
portunity.
We regret 10 say that weli-founded reports of
his subsequent conduct ia the institution and
out did not justify our expectation and 1t became
evident TO the board several months ago that
institution at the end OF this school year would
be necessary. on last Friday IL was decided by
the board. after the most careful deliberation,
that the est interests OF the school required that
Professor Iompkfns should be relieved at the end
or the year He receiv ed this notice In the form
anrivafs letter. which stated that his resignar