New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1897-08-11
Ideas of Others

AS an excuse for demanding the resig-
nation of President Andrews of Brown
University it was alleged that his tree
silver views were proving detrimental
to the interests of the university. Now
come the leading members Of the faculty
and contend that there was absolutely
no foundation for such an excuse. In
letter demanding his reinstatement, they
say:
If we are not mistaken, more IS in
volved than the exigencies of a single
institution or the fortunes of Il single
educator.
Recognizing that the corporation has
not been alone in thinking and saying
that DR.. Andrews freedom of speech
ought to be restrained, we beg leave to
combat the proposition, wherever and
by whomsoever maintained, that official
action leading to restrain his expressions
on public affairs is justified on the lower
ground of pecuniary necessity and ad-
vantage; and it lacks all justification
when considered from that higher point
of view from which the educational in
situations of a great country ought al
ways to be guarded.
If income be fit criterion then DR..
Andrews is entitled to be regarded as, in
pecuniary sense, the greatest benefac-
tor Brown university ever had. More
than half it's income is beyond doubt
due to him and his labors. If restraint
Of President Andrews cannot be justi-
fed on these lower grounds Of pecuniary
results, still less defe nsible does it APP
pear when viewed from higher ground.
The general arguments for freedom of
speech 1t is not necessary to repeat, least
Of all in Rhode Island, where the right
Of such freedom has for 900 years been
cherished with peculiar jealousy. If the
resignation of DR.. Andrews IS accepted
the burden and the stigma fall on his
successor. 1t would stamp the institu-
tion in the eyes of the country as one in
which freedom Of thong hit is net permit
ted, wnen it runs counter to the views
Of the community or held by those from
whom the college expects financial sup
port. H..
Private and individual r"monstrance
is one thing, but action Of the sort des-
cribed by the body which appoints pres
idents is, we submit, a very different
thing. 1t is open to the gravest objec-
tions and rests upon theory which if
extensively acted upon would eat the
heart out of our educational institutions
the theory that the material growth Of
a university is of more Importance than
independence of thought and expression
on the part of its president and profess
sors, and that boards Of trustees. have, as
such, the right to suggest limitations
upon such independence.
In lengthy article on Judge Lynch
and. the lawyers, Brann's Iconoclast says:
/ fear that critical examination of
the matter will dem onstrate that mob
law is due chiefly to the lawy to the
very class loudest in its condemnation.
They shape our laws and take precious
good care in dong 50 not to deprive
themselves Of their occupation BY maxi
ing statutory intent too plain and court
procedure 200 simple. Having secured
a criminal code which It requires an ex-
pert to Interpret iabyrinthic maze
inturbidated with a ridiculous termnolo-
1.-The lawyers are prepared TO entan-
gle an innocent man il its meahes o. Sc