The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-07
TEE TROUBLE AT CLEMSON.
Prof. j. 8. Newman Tells why BE Resigns
from the Faculty and Makes Some
Charges Against Governor TILL
man.
TAtlanta Constitution.

IAtlanta Constitution.
Professor J. S. Newman, q 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-
ton was donated for this specific pur-
pose by Mr.. Clemson, who married
the daughter of the great nullifier, and
who has sought in this way to pre-
serve the memory of Mr.. Calhoun.
The circumstances of Professor New
mans resignation will be of interest.
1t appears that, on account of a lack of
harmony on the part of the faculty OF
the Institution, the resignation of Pro-
fessor Newman was requested.
Acting on this information, and
knowing that Professor Newman had
just reached the city, representative
OF The Constitution called to see him
at his country home near Edgewood.
He was found in the neighborhood
of the residence, where he was super
intending the adjustment of his fur
niture and agricultural implements.
He invited the reporter into the house,
where seats were provided in the front
room. The interview throughout was
cordial and pleasant, and though every
now and then interrupted. by the car
penters at work, was in the highest
degree full and satisfactory.
II went to South Carolina," " said Pro-
fessor Newman, beginning his account
of the circumstances leading up to his
resignation, several months before the
opening of the college as superintend-
ent of the farm and experimental sta
ton. When the college opened on the
9Th of last July I was called to the pro-
fessorship of agriculture, in addition
to my other work. The college opened
under the most favorable auspices, 44O
students being enrolled. An able fac
ulty, in spite of a very incompetent
president, succeeded in organizing
thorough collegiate department. Lieu
tenant Donaldson, of the United States
army, organized the military depart
ment.
"The President, Mr.. Craighead, hav-
ing had no experience, was dependent
upon the faculty for organizing and
carrying on the affairs OF the institu-
ton. In addition to his Office as pres
ident he was also made director of the
station in order that 81, 500 of his salary
might be drawn from the Hatch fund.
The business Of the college and station
was at first entrusted to an executive
committee appointed from the board of
trustees and the board Of control of the
experimental station. The president,
however, cor trived by working through
Governor Tillman TO secure in his own
right these functions of the board,
which he succeeded in doing last Sep
tember. The board failed to define
the duties Of the president in regard to
the dictatorship of the station, and.
having had no acquaintance with the
work, be entirely Inexperienced his
relations 70 the station and assumed
all the details Of the farm and expert
mental work without the least defer
ence to the head of that department..
HIS DEPARTMENT WAS INVADED.
"I protested against this invasion
and told Mr.. Craighead his policy was
calculated to iDjure, if not to complete
ly disorganize, the departmental which
I was the head. It was not the busi-
ness of the director to interfere with
the details of the different departments
of the station, such as agriculture, hor-
ticulture, chemistry and biology. His
business was that of general super
vision Of the whole work and to CO.
ordinate the several departments of the
institution. His relations to the differ
ent departments were similar to those
of an ordinary college president, re-
ferred to the different professorships
represented in the faculty."
Ibid he interfere with other depart
ments?" the question was asked.
mo other one except the military.
He caused the commandant a great
deal of annoyance and hampered him
in various ways while in the discharge
Of his duty. His invasion OF the agri-
cultural department was no doubt
prompted by personal grudge which
he entertained towards myself. I had
given him no cause for animosity be-
yond the proper discharge of my duty
and the good reputation which I en-
joyed throughout the State in connec-
ton with the college, much to his re-
gret and private jealousy.
GOVERNOR TILLMAN SCORED.
"Finally, as result of this feeling of
prejudice entertained towards me,
Craighead goes to a meeting Of the
board at Columbia, s. G..
"There, in secret session, and pro.
tected by closed doors, he brings
charges against me, claiming that I
had caused a breach of harmony in
the faculty. Governor Tillman, being
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
grsvest secrecy, and as result of these
deliberations, without the slightest op-
portunity given to present my own
side of the case, I was notified that
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