The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-29
Hot Letter to the Regents From
the Attorney of Professor
A. L. Cotton.
CHARGES FOR INVESTIGATION.
Accusations of Professional Dishonesty
and Ignorance-A Director for
the Wilmerding School,

The resignation of Z S. Holden, direc-
tor of the Lick Observatory, Mount Ham
ilton, is in the pocket Of Timothy Guy
Phelps, regent of the State University.
The letter may be long or it may be short,
but it IS a letter of resignation all the same.
In closing his professional relations
with the University of California, Director
Holden does not display undue haste. He
is willing that the resignation shall not
take effect until January l, 1898. During
the months OF October, November and
Decem Der the director will enjoy leave
of absence, and at the same time draw
down his salary from the Stale.
Admiring friends of Director Holden in
the Board OF Regents attribute his lack
of success al Mount Hamilton to the in
PRODUCTION OF military tactics In his IN ter
course with subordinate professors. 1t Is
said to be unfortunate for Mr.. Holden
that he was educated at West Point and
imbued with army notions Of discipline.
These friendly regents say that the direc-
tor brought 10 Mount Hamilton the young
men who have achieved so much renown
as astron, mers.
It is believed that the regent from San
Mateo, Mr. Phelps, will produce the Hol-
den letter OF resignation at she next regu-
lar meeting Of me board. Already sew
eral applicants are in the field for the po-
sition Of director of the observatory. Pro-
fessors Davidson, Schaeberle, LeHschner
and Campbell are on the list, and before
the regents meet again there may be
others.
The subjects under discussion Yesterday
related TO the Lick Observatory and the
Wilmerding School An interesting let
ter, of which the following Is copy, was
read TO the assem- bled regents:
SAN FRANCISCO. September IS, 1897.
To the Chairman and Committee appointed TO
inrestigate the charges against Professor E. s.
friend oil a. L Cotton l beg TO inform you
that he is prepared to produce evidence for
your consideration in support OF any charges
contained in his letter of resignation to the
Board OF Regents, dated August IS, 1897.
After rendering his resignation Mr.. Cotton
decided to enter the University OF Michigan
and there prosecute his astronomical studies.
He remained at Seattle until the 23d inst.
awaiting action by the regents on his letter OF
resignation.
AS was necessary for him to be in MichI
gan by October l he vas obliged to leave Seat
lie a. above stated. I make the above $ tate
ment in view OF the TACT that Mr.. Colton's abb
gence has been criticized with some asperity.
He waited for more than month and then
naturally concluded that no action would be
taken by the regents beyond formal accept
ance of his resignation.
tits stated that Mr. Cotton in his letter Of
August Is directly or implicitly charges DI-
rector Holden with professional dishonesty,
professional ignorance, inconpe tence and neg
iect OF duty. Assuming thai these charges
are contained IN that letter. I beg to repeat
that Mr.. Cotton Will, soon as practicable
under the circumstances, produce evidence
TO support them, and 10 that end he is al the
disposal OF the committee.
IL is not Just 10 Mr.. Cotton, however, to say
that the letter referred 10 was prepared with
out advice or assistance and without any in
tention OF making ii the basis OF an inves IL
CATION.
speciic and all evidence fairly tending 10
prove them be admitted the labor OF the com
mittee viii be materially lightened and detl-
mite. conclusive verdict possible. But any
more inquiry as TO the merits or defects OF
lunar photographs, about which experts might
differ would be wholly barren OF result
The only question of practical moment is
whether Professor Holden is unit 10 discharge
the duties OF his Office by reason OF his alleged
dishonesty ignorance, neglect or adn1nistrs-
tive IncapacIJy. Any evidence tending to
prove any or all OF these items should, IN the