The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-12
Work of the Looters at Inelr
seance Thursday Night
THAT WENT OFF
THE RECORD OF SOME OF THE
MEN THAT WENT ON.
sp,TE WORK OF CHAMBERLAIN
One of the Men Who Lost His Place
Already Elected to Better Posi-
ton in Another State--Otho
Wilson Warm.


Wilson Warm.
An inventory yesterday showed that
the looters had made almost clean
sweep of the experiment station ana
badly shaken up the college.
Some in the college who it was gene
rally expected would be taken were left'
while others whose position has been con-
s;dered rather precarious were reelected
without any trouble whatever.
But in every instance the change has
been a bad one They touched but to
blight. And what is worse, they did it in
devilish, vindictive, don't-care-a-cuss
spirit which shows the bad feeling and
evil intent animating the whole transac-
ton.
Had they gone to work deliberately 10
make these changes, discussed the whole
matter thoroughly among themselves
and not in midnight party caucus-exam-
ined carefully into the character, schol-
arship and ability of the men who asked
TO be put in-and then calmly decided
that the changes were for the best inter
est of the institution and ought to be
made, there would not have been word
of criticism. Dr. Dixon and Judge Con-
nor would never have withdrawn, Jack
Harden would never have opposed the
members of his own party and Mr.. Il. "
Cox would not have repudiated their ac-
ton.
But this was not done. 1t is not the
Governors way of doing things. He
would prefer the more indecent course of
riding over the minority rough-shod-he
had rather show his power by debating
TO his henchmen But there were spirits
there who would not brook such proceed
ings. who were unwilling to lend even
their presence to the .perpetration of such
an outrage.
1t was a thrilling sight-the handsome
features of DIR. Dixon, flushed and burn
ing with indignation, standing helpless
in the hands of a packed and pledged
board Of trustees. His countenance
seemed to be burning with indignation:
his speech was thick with anger, but he
stood nevertheless and told the new
board, some Of whom had been in the
meeting but a few moments, what he
thought of such proceedings, and that
he presumed they were fully prepared to
vote on the momentous question present
ed. DIR. Dixon will be remembered by the
Democrats of North Carolina for his
noble stand in this matter.
Rut the contrast was marked When
Judge Connor stood and looked the as
semblage in the face. His slender figure
was drawn to it's full height, his eyes
flashed fire, his face was pale, but he dld
not hesitate to denounce most roundly
the conduct of the packed board. lie
went so far as to say that it was plainly
evident that the hand of the chief execu-
tive Of the State had guided the prepara-
tion of the material presented to the
board. and that majority were pledged
to the performance of his will. He said
he could not perform the public duty for
which he had been appointed, and that he
could not be a party to the lnlquitous
proceedings. He said that he had been de-
MED the right of participation in the mat
ter that was being rushed through, and
as he and DR.. Dixon stepped from the
room. there was a hush-a silence that
might be felt.
It was evident that two men whose
opinions could not be swerved from the
right. nor who could be persuaded to
"hend the pregnant knee that thrift
might follow fawning," and shaken the
unhallowed dust of that hireling horde
from off their heels 1t must be SUI
nreme qualification to ID. l.. Russell, who
holds down the gubernatorial chair in
North Carolina. to know that he has ele-
waited to the dignity Of trustee mere
nondescripts men who are actually serV-
ing as ianitors and clerks. who are to SIT
in Judgment upon the intellectual and sci
entifc men in charge of the education OF
the farmers sons of North Carolina
These are mere tools, puppets, VINO 90
the bidding of the political boss, and who
have no more conception Of the dignity
of life than the frogs that croak IN the
swamps.
And just here let me say that an III
justice was yesterday inadvertently done
Mr.. J. G. l.. Harris, who throughout TINS
whole fight, has stood most nobly by
both the college and the experiment sta
ton. In saying that the Governor had
him put on his caucus programme for
$3.50 as chairman of the board and his
son for $3.50 as assistant chemist, / did
not mean that he was influenced by this
consideration to forsake his friends. The
chairman heretofore has been getting
$3.50, and part of the time $500, and the
% sition of chemist was given his son,
lust graduated at the A. and NJ. College,
on his record in that department there
This is usual every year and the place had
been offered him and accepted before il
was known what the board would do.
Mr. Harris has acted worry conservative.