Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-06-26
DEFENDER
If President Or. Chapman
|ue Side Of the Eugene and Uni
versity Controversy
EUGENE. June "a.

WnprS III lOul OiuJ' WV
herein DR.. Chapman, president of
4 i state University, is attacked in a
rv unjust and unbecoming manner
fine Statesman assumes that the
sonle Of Eugene have given express
Il If their impatience with DR..
ahanman. As to this the Statesman
a either misinfOrmed, or grossly mis-
snresents the facts in the case. The
ttatesmap claims that he gets his
Dformation from a friend ~ of the
ttatp University in Eugene, who has
lion the trouble to furnish the
ttotcsman editor with a copy OF the
.sartlingl?) charges against the
tnctor. The people of Eugene, out
he Of the ring who signed the petit
La pcbllshed by the Statesman, are
III , loss to know who the friend ~ of
IA University may be. Some sug-
Isl that an ex regent of the Univer-
.ity is that friend; and certain facts
knd circumstances point very strongly
,b that direction. For instance, it is
4nown that this eX-regent was in
Salem on last Sunday with. and con-
hitting with, his nephew. Mr.. Hend-
tirks of the Statesman, and immedi-
4tey after, that paper CONNIE need its
81 rade against DR.. Chapman. 1t has
6lso been observed that this ex-regent
las been in constant consultation
nth Prof. Johnson, Prof. Reid, L. L..
campbell and others who are now,
Ind have been for a long time open
md avowed personal enemies of the
nresident, and who are members OF
that is known in Eugene as the
ADublic school ring" 1t is also under
sd BOD and believed by many that this
tk-regent is one Of the principal in
&igators Of the present bitter and
ahwarranted fight against the presi-
6ent of the University, and yet he re-
msed to sign the petition and charges,
3fter being one of the principal ad-
NSors in the preparation and circula-
Hon of the petition referred to in the
Neighty opinion rendered by the
3tatesman for the benefit OF this
efetended friend Of the University.
The opinion given by the Statesman
in keeping with the bitter and
0hlicious attacks on Chapman by the
sgene Guasd. The people of Eugene
4Fiously ocject to the Statesman die
Nting, or even suggesting, to the
Bard of regents the qualifications, in
6lbrals or learning that should be
assessed by the president of this
Aate university, Judging from the
HngGage used in the editorial re-
Nrred to. Such expressions as "young
Illow," +" "upstart," president of a
Mud of coyotes, and other like ex-
Hessions do not rise to the required
gnity of ordinary slang. This style
light be tolerated in the eX-superin-
Andent of a reform school, where
Obert no doubt secure this addition
81 his former vocabulary, but Ger
hinly does not come from a mind ca
able of determining and deciding
pe high qualities demanded in col
sge president. His opinion might be
bod, as to the qualities required fol
president over the company he re
srs 10 in his oDiniOn.
The Statesman assumes that the
barges are sufficiently definite anc
hat they are fully sustained, because
tbey are signed, as he asserts, by d
HOminent (?) business and profes
onal men of Eugene and 20 students
the university. The fact is this
st of 33 citizene, who signed TN
harges referred to, compose in tn
hain what is known as the Reid '0hn
pn ring, and the 20 students are IL
RtveS, or those directly under IN
nhuence of the 33. So far as tn
itzens of Eugene are concerne'
bis petition carries but very little
any, weight, and those who are well
lnformed, unprejudiced, and have tn
pest interests of the university an
our public schools in mind knoN
pat the charges are untrue az
fumpted up for the sbecial purpos
YeXlng and annoying, not only ID
hapman, but those citizens WI
poS an active part in opposing TIA
hool ring at the recent school eleC
on in Eugene.
The Guard and its coadjutors cor
lantly and falsely assert that ID
hapman sinterfered with and too
2 active part in the late school ele(
onand other municipal affairs. Thl
e know is false, and DR.. Chapman
ccusers make these charges withou
ny foundation in fact as they we
now. TIE board OF regents incluc
hg Hons. G.. A. Hoyey and S. Il
riendly of Eugene have implicit cor
Hence in DIR. Chapman. No effoT
the part of his traducer should O
An avail. Let justice be done thToug