The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-17

street and Minor avenue. and asked the
following questions:
do you or do you not approve of the
course of the governor In removing Uni
den?''
IF so. do you not consider that your APP
prevail stultifies yaur whole record and
course in this university trouble?"
IF not. how can you AFFORD 10 remain on
the board, being out of harmony with the
governors views%'
do you intend 10 resign!
IF not, why notT'
What course do you intend TO pursue In
the future and will you act with the new
appointees. or the old Members
In answering the first question Mr..
Biethen said:
until / have further light on the sub
ject / do not think that IL would be proper
for me TO express any opinion, as 90
not know what the motives OF the govern
or were for the action which he has TAX
en-"
As to the second and third questions,
Mr.. Blethen said that they were eliminated
by his answer TO the first question pro-
pounded.
In answer to the question as to wheth-
er / intend 20 resign" said Mr.. Blethen,
Il may say that on October 5. and imme-
diately after the filing of protests by citf-
zens and students with Gov. Rogers, con-
D.
and reading his answers thereto as pub
lished IN the daily papers, / wrote TO the
governor full explanation Of the stua-
ton from my standpoint. and notified him
that my resignation would be at his dis
posal on a moments notice If he had any
criticism TO make Oh my conduct as a men,
Der Of the board of regents. His silence
concerning the same has led me to be-
leye that he had no criticism TO make.
At least he has not asked me for my resig-
nation, nor chosen TO remove me; although
whatever may be the law or the final deci-
SION OF the courts with reference 10 the
governors power of removal OF Messrs.
Fay, Davis and Hayden. who were APP
pointed before the present law was signed
by the governor. there is no doubt as to
his power TO remove myself, who was APP
pointed August Z 10 iii the place made
vacant by the death of Hon. John Wiley.
Again. the removal OF Major Hayden,
who voted 20 retain President Edwards.
and the non-removal OF Regent Kellogg
and myself both of whom voted in favor
OF President Edwards removal. would
clearly indicate 10 my mind that the action
OF the board Of regents with reference 10
the univeESlty's late president has nothing
TO do with the governors present action. =
Mr.. Blethen considered that his answer
to the question as TO his intentions in the
matter OF resigning eliminated the fifth
question.
AS 20 his future course. Mr.. Blethen said:
THAT question is too andcipatory. No
one yet knows whether the new appointeeS
viii accept the positions. or what legal
questions may arise"
In speaking OF the present outlook az
the university Mr.. Blethen said:
In every way Ii IS most satisfactory. /
derive this information from Acting Pres
ident Reeves who has been kind enough
70 call at my office daily on his return
from the university and report the con-
ditiOn Of affairs. From these converse
tons IL has become apparent that the
faculty are working together in the ut
most accord, students are attending strict
" 70 their work and the outlook for rapid
increase the numbers and splendid outcome
were never more promising.
Personally. l have but one desire in
connection with the university and that
IS to make Il what the law contemplated.
a university In fact, which means an ag-
gregaticn OF colleges. and therefore some
thing greater than "A single college, TO ac-
compish which there must be the very best
scholastic material IN the faculty. and
especially a. the head Of the university.
ohtainsble in the nation. I had much TO
do with the securing Of Or. Cyrus Nor
throp as president OF the University OF
Minnesota at "a time when its condition
University ot Washington. That was
twelve years ago. when the university had
two ordinary buildings. a small faculty
and about So pupils Today tx Is a com
piete aggregation of colleges represent
ing every Gep4rtme ut except that Of the
ol0gy. having some twenty buildings