The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-02-06
WHY NEWMAN RESIGNED.
THE TROUBLE IN CLEMSON COLI
LEGE.
The Professor Of Agriculture Tells
the Story of His Departure-Hc
Brings Charges Against Governor
Tillman.


Brings Charges Against Governor
TilIman.
Atlanta Constitution.
Professor j. S. Newman, a former
resident of this city and one of the best
known educators in the South, has re-
signed the chair of agriculture in
Clemson College, S. c., and will again
take up his residence in this city.
Clemson college is the outgrowth
OF the old Calhoun estate. The planta-
tion was donated for this specific pur-
pose by Mr.. Clemson, who married
the daughter of the great nulliiier,
and who has sought in this way to
preserve the memory of Mr.. Calhoun.
The circumstances of Professor New
mans resignation will be of interest.
1t appears that, on account of u lack
of harmony on the part of the faculty
of the institution, the resignation OF
Professor Newman was requested.
Acting on this information, and
knowing that Professor Newman had
tive of The Constitution called to see
him at his country home near Edge
wood.
He was found in the neighborhood of
the residence, where he was superin-
tending the adjustment Of his furni-
ture and agricultural implements.
He invited the reporter into the house,
whore seats were provided in the
front room. The interview through
out was cordial and pleasant, and
though every now and then interrupt
ed by the carpenters at work, was in
the highest degree full and satisfac-
tory.
Il went to South Carolina" said
Professor Newman, beginning his ac-
count of the circumstances leading up
to his resignation, several months
before the opening of the college as
superintendent ,.of the farm and ex-
perimental sta 49, When the college
opened Gin the 9Th of last July | was
called to the professorship 0f agricul-
ture, in addition to my other work.
The college opened under the most
favorable auspices, 440 students beiA =
very incompetent president, sue
ceeded in organizing q thorough collie
giate department.. Lieutenant Donald
son, of the United States army,
organized the military department..
The president, VMr. Craighead,
having had no experience. was depcn-
dent upon the faculty for organizing
and carrying on the affairs of the in
stitution. In addition to his Office as
president he was also made director
of the station in order that 81 800 of
his salary might be drawn from the
Hatch fund. The business of the col
lege and station was at first entrusted
to an eXective committee appointed
from the board of trustees and the
board of control of the experimental
station. The president, however,
contrived by working through Cover
nor Tillman to secure in his own right
these functions of the board, which he
succeeded in doing last September.
The board failed to define the duties of
the president in regard to the director
ship of the station, and, having had no
acquaintance with the work, he en-
tirely misapprehended his relations to
the station and assumed all the details
OF the farm and experimental work
without the least Difference to the head
of that department.
protested against this invasion
and told Mr.. Cralghead his policy was
calculated to injuro, if not to com
pletcly disorganiZe, the department of
which | was the head. 1t was not the
business of the director to interfere
with the details of the different de-
partments of the station, such as ag-
riculture, horticulture, chemistry and
biology. His business was that of a
and to coordinate the several depart
ments of the institution. His rela-
tions to the different Departments were
similar to those of an ordinary col
lege president, referred to the diff
ferent professorships represented in
the faculty."
did he interfere with other depart
ments 2" the question was asked.
No other one except the military.
He caused the commandant a great
deal of annoyance and hamperod him
in various ways while in the discharge
of his duty. His invasion of the agri
cultural department was no doubt
prompted by q personal grudge which
he entertained towards myself. | had
given him no cause for animosity be-
yond the proper discharge of my duty
and the good reputation which |
enjoyed throughout the State in con-
nection with the college, much to his
regret and private jealousy.
Finally, as IL result OF this feeling
of prejudice entertained towards me,
Craighead goes to q meeting of the
board at Columbia, S. G..
There, in a secret session, and pro-
tected by closed doors, he brings
charges against me, claiming that /
had caused a breach of harmony in the
faculty Governor Tillman, being a
member of the board, and, for politi-
cal reasons, wishing to apply the
hatchet to my head, acquiesced in the
spirit entertained by the president.
The matter was discussed, in the
gravest secrecy, and as II result of
these deliberations, without the
slightest opportunity given to present
my own side of the case, / was notified
that my resignation would be ac-
copied"
Have you any reason for supposing
that South Carolina politics had any
thing to do with the action of the
board ?"
II do. You will perhaps remcm-
Dor, as the matter was given some
publicity, that Mr.. Tillman black
mailed Hon. M. l.. Donaldson. at that
time president of the State Farmers
Alliance. Colonel Donaldson was chair
man OF the board OF control of the ex-
pcrimcntal station, and was thrown
much with him in an official capacity.
1T was reported to me, in consequence
of several speeches which / made by
invitation, that Governor Tillman had
threatened to use his little political
hatchct upon my head.
Seven members of the board are
life members and six are elected by
tho legislature. Two of these latter,
not in accord with Governor Tillman
in politics, and my friends, were not