The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-08-05
SCATHING REBUKES
FOR THE CORPORATION OF BROWN
UNIVERSITY.
Outraged Public Sentiment at the
Forced Retirement of President An
drews Manifests Itself i'm unmeas-
ured Terms.
{ ATLANTA Constitution J

long occupied unique position among
American educators. 1t is not con-
ierrlng too much praise upon his zeal
and hdellty as college president to
say that much Of the high prestige
which Brown university enjoys to-day
IS due to the earnest and unremittinp
efforts which he has put forth in behalf
OF that institution. But the peculiar
backset which the university sustains
at this time is not accustomed solely
by the retirement Of DR.. Andrews
from It's executive chair, but more
especially by the just censure which
the public press of the country has
visited upon the corporation for the
action in forcing him to retire.
The censure has not been restricted
to those organs which agree with DR..
Andrews in his views on the money
question. Indeed, some of the gravest
structures upon the corporations high
handed action come from those organs
which disagree with the political views
entertained by DR.. Andrews, but
which believe in according to every
American citizen the utmost freedom
OF thought and speech. The Chicago
Times HeraAR, one of the most pro-
nounced foes Of the views entertained
by DIR. Andrews, is constrained to
speak of his treatment at the hands of
the university corporation in scathing
terms. Says Tie Times HeyaM:
"Ihe university powers who brought
about his dismissal based their action
not upon the fact that DR.. Andrews
teachings were harmful and his theories
fallacious, but upon the fear that the
institution might lose certain legacies
and bequests if its official head publicly
advocated the I6 to i notion of
finance.
"This seems to be the dominant
factor in the resignation of President
Andrews, and it is one which reflects
little credit upon an institution which
under his direction has grown into
one Of the foremost schools of the
country"
The Chicago paper further argues
that the action of the corporation
must also be deplored on the ground
that it looks as if the advocates OF
"sound money" feared the arguments
of the "free slverites'' and sought to
check matters by cur!ailing the right
Of free speech.
But the language of the Springfield
RfbnbIlran in denounCing the action
OF the corporation is even more terse
and pointed than the language of Tie
7imes-UeraM Says the Springfield
RcbubHfan:
at is bungling piece of work that
will not make for the moral advantage
of Brown university, or command
popular respect in the realm of culture
that is tolerant, free to serve and
acquire, and does not weigh education
and honest manhood in the scales Of
the money changers. The standard
of money getting was never more
consplcuously applied in the college
world, and this phase of the affair
which is the heart and soul of twill
be deeply resented by those who are
very far from agreeing with the silver
views of DR.. Andrews.
The Springfield Republican is one
Of the most conservative newspapers in
the country, and such strong language
emanating from this discreet organ OF
New England sentiment, shows in
what light the action of the corporation
is regarded by the best people of that
| section.
Still another lash OF criticism is
applied by the Boston GI0be. Says
this organ of the gold Democrats:
'For the sake of the future OF
Brown university, let US hope that the
scales of prejudice will speedily fall
| from the eyes of those who would
have sought to cajole President
| Andrews into keeping silent regarding
his convictions as to public duty. The
resignation should not be accepted.
Brown cannot afford, in justice to
herself or to the rights of educated
men in a free country, to accept a
resignation so rendered and on such
grounds. But whether the trustees
rise to their opportunity or ignobly
neglect it, the American public sentl-
ment will declare itself on the side OF
Justice, and that with no uncertain
sound. Honest people of every shade
of political opinion will hold Z.
Benjamin Andrews higher than ever
in honor because of those latest proofs
of his noble loyalty to the faith that
is in him.
Other comments from leading ne VS.
papers might be cited in this connec'
ton, but these are sufficient to show
the drift of popular sentiment, Amerl
cans may differ radically in thel'
views on public questions, but they
believe in fair play. They believe
also in the Constitutional right OF tree
speech, and any effort to throttle It
exercise is bound to receive their jus
condemnation.
What causes bad dreams is a question