The San Francisco call., 1895-12-23
How He Came to Leave the
College of Dentistry So
Suddenly.
AN INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED.
DR.. Dunbar Never Asked Him to Re.
sign, but Simply Appointed
Another Man.

The clash between the junior class of
the College of Dentistry and DR.. Sharp,
backed by the dean of the faculty, DR..
Dunbar, instead of having been amicably
settled, as has been stated, appears to grow
more intense with each succeeding day.
The students absolutely refused to re-
tract certain staten ents rejecting on DR..
Sharp as q lecturer, and DR.. Dunbar is
equally firm in the matter of accepting
anything short of an unqualified apology.
Thus for the present at least the matter
remains in allegiance, though it is not
thought probable that the strained rela-
tions can exist much longer. The faculty
realize that something must be done, be-
cause the dissatisfaction among the Juniors
is rapidly diffusing itself throughout the
college. The fight seems now to have
centered. not on the alleged misconduct of
the students in the lecture-room, but on
the incompetency of DR.. Sharp, and the
dismissal of Dr. Boxton from position
which he held for ten years.
On Thursday last an attempt was made
to arrange matters satisfactorily to all
concerned. After considerable persuasion,
so it is stated, DR.. Dunbar induced the
juniors to sign paper expressing regret
for the occure noes in the lecture-roOm.
When the paper reached the dean, how
ever he demanded that the students en-
body in the statement full retraction of
all that had been said rejecting on DR..
Sharps competency as an instructor. This
they fatty refused to do, and of course it
only widened the breach. The meeting of
Friday did not tend in any way to harmon
iZe matters.
DR.. Boxton is indignant at certain state
ments credited to DR.. Dunbar, and un-
hesitatingly pronounced them false. Said
DIR. BoXton yesterday
Until this unpleasant occurrence, into which
my name has been dragged, never felt called
upon to explain how lost my position with
the college. Now, however. in view of certain
statements made by Dr. Dunbar, which, by the
way, are false from beginning to end, it is only
proper that should give my version of the
affair.
Since 1882 have filed what is known as the
chair of mechanical dentistry, though was
never q member of the faculty. 1t may be
mentioned that this is the only college in
America where q chair of this importance is
not filled by a regular professor. l presume
this was due to Dunbar's unwillingness to
part with any more of the revenue of the col
lege than was absolutely necessary.
To divert for moment from the main sub
iect involved, allow me to say that the income
of the College of Dentistry is from $15, 900 to
500, 900 year.
This is independent of the receipts from the
all work shall be done for the actual cost of the
material. Instead of that, however, they
charge 81 and upward for amalgam filings,
and 50 or more for other filings. Plate work
costs proportionately the same. With about
fifty chairs running almost continuously, the
revenue from this source is readily appre-
ciated. This is particularly true when it is
known that the average cost per tooth for
amalgam and gold is 10 and so cents respec-
lively. AS l understand the College of Dem
tistrv it is State institution, and think there
are many matters which should be investi-
gated.
But to go back to my discharge. few
months ago DR.. Dunbar said to me there was
great loss OF material by the students, and
something must be done. He asked me what
| would charge to do the work independent OF
my position as lecturer. l told him $500 a
month, but he could not see 1t that way. He
offered me $50, which /, of course refused.
Later Dunbar wrote me brief note stating
figure he woul d, of course, look elsewhere for
assistance.
Imagine my surprise whe n informed that Dr.
Sharp had been appointed lecturer in my place
l would not believe IL at first, because nothing
of that character had ever been suggested. l
saw through ii all.
Dunbar wanted man that he could handle,
though, of course, he had an eye to the finan-
cial end of the proposition. | unhesitatingly Y
say that his manner of relieving me of a posi-
tion which l had held for ten years was a con-
temptible trick. All the students are my
friends, and there was never q com plaint made
against me.
OF DR.. Sharp's ability as dentist know
nothing. l think the students are perfectly
right in their fight, and from what can gather
they do not propose to recede one inch. L, OF
course, am only interested so far as the contro-
versy reflects on me, and do no propose that
DR.. Dun bar or any one else shall place me in q
false light before the people.