The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-19
DAUGHTERS REPLIES.
Writes a Long Letter Giving
the Republican Side
OF the Agricultural College Re-
mOVaIS Matter.
Says Those Who Were Retained W ere
Not Required to Take an Oath
of Allegiance.

c. B. Daughters of Lincoln and G. r.
Noe of independence are the Republican
members of the board of regents of the
state agricultural college and opposed
with all their power the recent changes
made at that institution, which in an
open letter to the public, Mr.. Daughters
insists were made solely for political pur-
poses.
The Journal published a letter from c.
B. Hoffman, president of the board of re-
gents, in which he said:
1.-The board has not dismissed any one
except that it elected Prof. Thomas WILL
A. M, a graduate of Harvard, president
of the institution in place of Geo. T.
Fairchild, Ii. D., who declined to accept
the presidency at the hands of the pres
ent board of regents
Mr.. Daughters letter says: ION April 7,
Mr.. Hoffman introduced the following
Resolved, That the school year en-
ployed in act entitled An act making APP
preparation for the Kansas State Agri-
cultural college for current expenses, etc,
etc, and directing by the expenditure of
other funds provided by law for the sup
pore of said institution shall be inter
preted to mean the period of thirty-nine
(39) consecutive weeks beginning on the
second Thursday of September in each
year. And
nent of all the present employees is here,
by declared to expire on June 10 next
poned upon motion to II O'Clock a. m,
April Sth.
On the next day, after some discus
sion, Mr.. Hoffman introduced the follow
ing substitute for his resolution:
Resolved, That the school year as
employed in the act entitled An act max
ing appropriations for the Kansas State
Agricultural college for current expen-
SeS, etc, etc, and directing the eXpendi-
ture of other funds provided by law for
the support of said Institution shall be-
gin July 1St of each year, and end June
Goth of the following year; and that the
employees shall expire June 3Oth, 1897.
when opposition DEVELOPED against
this resolution from the Republican MEM
bers, Mr.. Hoffman stated that his resolu-
ton meant simply to fix the school year
merely to make the salary more def
mite then offered the following amend
ment as expressing what he contended
ITO strike out all after the words. the
rate of salary of all the employees
of the college whose services are contin-
uous shall continue as set by the board
till June Both of each year.
Mr.. Hoffman objected and my amend
ment went down. In the heat of the con-
test Mr.. Hoffmsn stated that the legisla-
ture had virtually depoSed President
board proposed to place the whole faculty
upon the same level, thus admitting that
his resolution meant mo more than ne ar
adopted and the minority were not al
lowed even a mild protest.
1.-The next morning I went down to To-
peka returning soon after noon. The
board was in session and Mrs. St John
informed me that President Fairchild de-
clined to be a candidate for reelection
and expressed deep regrets. Believing
that some of the members did not under
stand President FairchildS proposition, I
spoke in favor of rendering him the posi-
ton and believed if the tender was made
In this courtesy Mr.. Hoffman let it out
cold that the majority had had
thought of retaining President Fairchild.
He then went on with quite a political
haTangue, and stated that President Fair
child differed radically with the board on
fundamental principles: that they could
not agree with the presidents views upon
economical questions, and that of distri-
button of wealth, etc. The majority at
he was elected as president of the col
lege. They also proceeded to fill other
places upon the avowed assumption that
every position in the institution was va
cant. Wholesale removals seems mild
term under the circumstances.
president Fairchild's statement to the
board on the morning before the election
of Prof. VIII was in the following words:
In view of the resolution of yesterday
ployes on the 30th of June next, I fear
most seriously the continuity of the col
Iege unless immediate action is taken
with reference to unemployment of such
members of the present faculty as may
be acceptable. I therefore urge such &C
ton now; and in order to free the board
from embarrassment my personal
count, L hereby decline to be a candidate
for the presidency, and can not conscien-
tiOuSly accept reelection if rendered.
1T seems to be that no further COM
ment is needed for any unbiased person
TO arrive at the truth.
For justice to some of the faculty who
accepted accomplishment, will say that
they were not required to swear alIeg-
lance to the state administration. and did
not as pTerequite to their employment,
as has been reported. They were, how
ever I believe requested to say that they
least not antagonize him in the manage
ment of the college. Respectfully
Powell Clayton Slightly Better.