Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-26
Harper Aastens to Mention the Iron Hand.


Even in the sacred circle of the uni
vsisity, whereof anywhere. there should
be opportunity to think and express
ones thoughts, not infrequently is felt
the iron hand of authority, moved by
suspicion and self interest. In free and
fair New England, the ground on which
the struggle for freedom of opinion
was fought out an old and established
institutfqm only yesterday censured its
head because forsooth, he had the
courage to think for himself, and stili
worse, to speak what he thought. TINS
eensure ordered to be administered by
a committee of trustees, is blot upon
the history of that honored college
which a century of prosperity VIII not
wine out. The world which does not
think is loalth to grant the privilege to
the thinking few.'-Pres. Harper
Chicago University.
Only few years ago a certain pro-
fessor in the Chicago university EEK
pressed economic opinions of which
there were good reasons to believe this
President Harper did not approve. 1t
was said that the multi-millionaire
donors; of that institution did not ap-
prove of those teachings. The man
soon found himself without a job. He
complained that President Harper had
not treated him rightly nor frankly, that
he was being turned out because of his
honest convictions and that it had been
OF course these assertions We're open
to the suspicion of being pre1udiced
and President Harper and other college
authorities gave an explanation which
they assumed to regard as perfectly
satisfactory. We judge, however. by
comments that have since appeared
from time to time that the suspicion in
the minds of the public had not been
wholly allayed. Now President Harper
has been surprisingly quick to express
an opinion in relation to the rebuke ad-
ministered by the board of control OF
Brown university to it's president. Per-
haps it would be well if he would bear
in mind the fact that this board of
control hassgone about this undertake
ing in a frank and courageous manner,
for there aas not appear q 9. nave been sen
any .sscret Vaccinations to secure tine
removal oNEe sidert iAnafg w-s, Son ths
contdssy tKAheaaa-sa an asssresponsis
BILE for the government of that school,
and mas q rtv TO- perform, does not
shirk it nor resort. 90, undetermined
methods, although theu able men on that
boapaundsrfsod asf1lly ass men 2. could ls
the delicacy of the duty and the criti-
cism they tvbtild be likely to arouse.
Wisely or unwisely it appears that
these trustees have, at least, endeavored
to do that which they regarded as their
duty, and which only consists in ask
ing President Andrews, not to change
his views on the currency and tariff
questions, not that he refrain from let
ting them be known. but to givemore of
his time to the duties of the college and
less TO the work of PROSECUTING.
Perhaps, however, President Harper
wished to hit the trustees of the Chica-
go university over the shoulders Of
those at Brown. 1t is noticeable that
he says: Not infrequently is felt the
iron hand of authority, moved by sus-
picion and self interest" One feels I'M
PEELED to ask him if he has ever felt ths.
weight of this Iron hand of authority.