The Portland daily press., 1897-08-10
DEAN WAYLAND's VIEWS.
Writes q Reply to Letter of Faculty of
Brown University.

|
Providence, August 9.-Following is an
abstract from a reply to lengthy commu-
nication of Prof. B. F. Clarke and other
memberssof tho faculty of Brown Univer-
sity from Dean II. L. Wayland:
Gentlemen--I have the honor of receiv-
Ing through your courtesy copy OF your
| open letter addressed to the corporation
| OF Brown University and heartily well
| come the suggestions OF those who are CO.
| iaDorers in a common cause, each OF whom
has achieved eminence in his special de-
partment of knowledge and as added to
the reputation of the institution.
In order to arrive at correct results, let
us put out of view all erroneous state-
ments (Which abound to an extent have
hardly ever known exceeded), and all
unfounded implications rs your impli-
cation that there was any politics in the
action of the corporation; let us omit all
that is freely and gladly recognized by
every one, the sacrifice of the president
for the country and the university, the
very great increase Of students in the
past eight years and the equally gratify-
ing advance In the receipts of from tu-
ition-points which you justly bring into
prominence.
The real questions involved, are, I
think, threefold:
First--Has an instructor, minister,
a college, right to use his position to
give currency and authority to his views
without being open to suggestion from
those who have placed him In his posit.
ion and who have afforded him the oppor-
tunity of making his views widely
known and of clothing them with infu-
ence?
/ regret that the president by his re-
signation seems to say: II regard my
views as of such Importance that no con-
sideration can induce me to forbear the
expression of them, and my independence
would be violated if I should listen to
any suggestion or advice from those
whom the charter constitutes my coun-
sellors."
1t is stated that DR.. Andrews Is to en-
gage in an educational enterprise, to be
endowed and controlled by Mr.. John
Brlsben Walker. II it should chance in
the future that the views of DR.. Andrews
should diverge from those Of Mr.. Walker.
Will Mr.: Walker entertain the opinion
which the president now cherishes as
to Independence?
Second-Was the occasion such as to
justify the request of the corporation.
The question at issue is: Shall the gov
ernment coin an unlimited quantity of
silver dollars contain ut the present rate
43 cents worth of silver and perpetually
falling and make them legal tender for
all debts, public and private including
the principle and interest of the national
and state bonds? 2
The chief justice of the Hawaiian ISL
ands recently said: when the advocates
of coinage in the islands were told that
the weight of the intelligence and the
integrity of the American people is
against their views, they never fail to re-.
ply: Is not Brown University an insti-
tuition Of high standingp Its president is
with us.
Three-Was there any want of courtesy
in the manner IN which the corporation
conveyed their suggestions to the presi-
dent? Since the day Of his unanimous
election, there has never been on the part
of the corporation any but the most re-
spectful and cordial feeling towards the
president. The suggestion that is in the
air about the President being forced
out, is as groundless as the assertion
that his independence is compromised.
You will permit me to express my pro-
found regret that you indulge in the
prophecy which ensured its own fulfill
ment in the words: eff the resignation
of President Andrews is accepted, the
burden and stigma fall upon his sue
Tcessor'' 's,'a =. -
l have the honor to be, gentlemen, with
great respect, for yourselves, personally,
with sincere regards for the president,
and with the best wishes of our universi.
ty, truly yours.
H. L. WAYLAND.
Philadelphia, August 9, 1887.