The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-23
The Able President of
Brown University Will
Not Be SiIenced.
Result of His Free Silver Utter.
ances and the Recent Action
of the Trustees.
RGSIONA TON LETTER SUBMITTED
The Corporations Request DR.. Andrews Was
Unable to Meet Without Surrenderiug
"flls Reasonable Liberty Of Utterance."

Providence, July 23.-Tae expected has
happened in the matter Of President r
Benjamin Andrews OF Brown university,
who, as result OF the annual meeting
O. the corporation last month. was at
tackled for his free silver and free trade
utterances.
DR.. Andrews resignation together with
the letter written him by the executive
and advisory committee are here given:
To Rev. T.. Benjamin Andrews, u. D.,
President Brown University:
In compliance with your request, the
undersigned. members of a committee
appointed at the last meeting Of the cor
poration Of Brown university, make the
following statement:
The committee was appointed under
the following resolution, to wit:
Resolved. That a committee consist
ing OF the chancellor, Judge Durfee and
Judge Wayland be appointed to confer
with the president in regard to the in
terests Of the university.
The resolution was passed after re-
marks from several members Of the COR
pOration, showing more specifically the
reason for 1t. The makers Of these re-
marks expressed the highest apprecia-
ton of the services rendered by the
president in increasing and diversifying
the educational facilities and efficiency
os the university and its multiplying the
number of the students resorting to 1t.
| and, at the same time, prOfessed for him
personally the warmest admiration. and
| regard. They signified q wish for g
| change In only one particular, having.
| reference to his views upon question
| which constituted leading issue in the
| recent presidential election, and which
| is still predominant in national politics,
namely, that Of the free coinage OF sill
yer as legal tender at a ratio Of 16 ounces
of silver to one of gold.
They considered that the views of,the
president as made public by him from
time to time, favored a resumption of
such coinage, and expressed the belief
that these views were so contrary to the
views generally held by the friends of
the university that the university had
already lost gifts and legacies which
otherwise would have come or have been
assured to II, and that without change
| 1t would In the future fail to receive the
pecuniary support which Is requisite to
enable 1t to prosecute with success the
grand work on which 1t has entered.
| The change hoped for by them, they pro-
| ceed to explain, Is not a renunciation of
these Views, as honestly entertained by
| him, but a forbearance out Of regard for
! the interests of the university, to pro-
| mulgate them, especially when to pro-
| mulgate them will appeal most strongly
| to the passions and prejudices of the
public.
The subscribers understand that It was
| in pursuance of this hope that the reso-
| luton appointing them a committee to
confer with the president was passed.
| and passed too, 1t may be added, with
out single dissenting voice or vote.
| William Goddard.
| Thomas Durfee.
| Francis Wayland.
July 16, 1897.
Reply OF Professor Andrews.
| To the Advisory and Executive Commit
tee of the Corporation of Brown Uni
versity:
Gentlemen-iBelieving that, however,
| much / might desire to do so, / should
| find myself unable to meet the wishes OF
| the corporation as explained by the
| special committee officially appointed
t. confer with Inc on the interests of the
university, without surrendering that
reasonable liberty OF utterance which my
predecessors. ms faculty colleagues and
myself have hitherto enjoyed. and In the
absence OF which the most ample endow-
ment for an educational institution
would have but little worth, I respect
fully resign the presidency OF the uni
versity, and also my professorship
therein, to take effect not later than the
1irst day OF the approaching September.
I regret the brevity OF the intervening
time, but am acting at the earliest pos
Sible moment, after securing an inter-
view with the committee.
Thanking you. gentlemen, and all the
other members OF the corporation for
tire good will toward me personally,
which has been expressed In so many
wsys, and cherishing the best wishes for
the prosperity of the university
] am. yours with sincere esteem,
+. Benjamin Andrews.
Providence. July II, 1897.
The controversy which led up 10 the
resignation was precipitated by Con-
gresham Walker Of Massachusetts at
the hast meeting Of the Brown corpora
ton. The congressman at that time de-
plored the action by President Andrews
I'm promulgating his views on the silver
question. Mr.. Walkers stand was ap-
proved by all the members of the cor
poration. and n committee was appointed
TO confer with DIR. Andrews and en-
deavor to induce him 90 refrain from pur-
suing the policy he had adopted I'm re-
lation TO financial teachings. The cor
respondence printed above. together
with the presidents resignation, was the
result.
The announcement is not at all sur
prising, as II was generally believed that
Dr. Andrews would not remain at the
university