The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-13
REGENTS In A ROW
DIssESsIOx ABOUT RELIGIoN
MAkES THINGS INTERESTING.
Fay Would Have HIS Teachings
Based ~ Christianity, Wiley
wants Reffgfon Kept Out of the
University Entireiy-They race
Zach other Very Aagressiveiy,
but Are Qufefed-Good Friends
Again After Anger Coois-

Hot words and threatening faces were
4he climax Of last nights meeting Of the
hoard of university regents There were
angry xesslcula*ious and but for the in
fe~ferrnee az others John Wiley and John
p F4 might today be sworn enemies IN
stead OF lies In the cause OF reform, Tree
silver and a position under the state gov
eminent. deal Of choler was the only
result OF the meeting, as TO important ac-
tfon was taken.
n All arose over the retention or dismis-
sal ~ Dr. Hamilton as member OF the
university faculty The simple action In
This matter was complicated by religious
considerations and II resolved itself into
fight as TO whether the impression should
40 forth that the University OF Washing
ton was 10 be conducted on liberal or re-
lizious lines.
There were present Chairman Wiley. Re-
gents Houston. Hayden. Davis and Fay,
and President Edwards OF the university.
The committee OF education signed re-
port recommending DIR. Hamilton as pro-
lessor of mental and moral philosophy
ard orafory. This was signed by Fay and
Davis A minority report signed by Hay
den favored the substitution of DR. 6atch
for DR. Hamilton. Houston being unin-
formed as TO the previous action OF the
board was enlightened by Fay BY .
substitute motion Hayden put the minor
ify report up for the consideration OF the
board. and then the oratory commenced
Wiley and Hayden were arrayed In ia
vor of DR. Hamilfons removal against
Fay and Davis. who desired Hamilton s
retention. Houston was passive listen
err each side striving to win his vote.
which being the NTH regent. would give
majority. King was not present.
Fay paid high tribute to the ability Of
r. D.
dent Edwards recommendation for his re-
movai was concerned the president had
never even been In class room where
Hamilton was teaching. This euiogium
was pnnctured by several sarcastic re-
marks from Wiley
.t'll vote tor Hamilton under no con-
siderafion." he said. II don't believe there
will ever be peace while DIR. Hamilton Is
IN the university" A remark of Fay &
as to the attitude of President Edwards
on moral philosophy was the cause of
the dramatic preliminary which culmi-
mated In the war of words between Fay
and Wiley. Fay accused Edwards of ag-
noaticism. of believing not IN God but
IN substitution of something: that the
brain was combination OF chemicals put
together to make a thinking mind. AS
a father of four children he exclaimed.
81 want no president of the university 10
say that evolution has no divine origin.
He teaches philosophy not founded on
n God"
Then President Edwards spoke. II do
not believe that mental and moral philos-
ophy has place In the university" he
said. 1T belongs to the school of divin-
ity. ! am an agnostlc i'm this-I know
nothing Of the beginning or the end. and
you don't. either"
Clark Davis now took hand. Things
were getting very warm. Wiley now
brought on the climax. He seemed angry.
II have been told he said. THAT pro-
fes~or of that faculty had attempted to
proselyte students by taking them into
his room and kneeiing down and praying
with them" He read the law against al
lowing religion to be a part OF the state
university teaching. and continued: THE
fact Is. Mr. Fay. you would base all your
teaching OF science on the Bible. wouldn't
YOU"
II would base ali my teachings on Chris
tianify." responded Fay.
II want 20 keep that institution free
from religious interference" WIley's face
was very red and a torrent Of words end
ei with the explosive sentence: II don't
want any religion taught anywhere
This was more than Fay could stand.
He jumped 20 his feet and began TO speak
vigorously. Wiley the while standing mo-
tionless Ia his place.
"You stand here and inyeigh against re-
iisinn. Fay said vigorously.
Wiley resented this and protested with
vigorous gestures. which hts accuser mis-
took for menace, and the gesticulations
became so pronounced that Hayden and
Houston thought they meant n and
stepped between them. Evidently both
Wiley and Fay had misunderstood each
others motives. but Fay remarked that
II he was 60 be thrashed n might ms we'll
he right off. and John Wiley couldn't do
~ for 500. which called forth laughter
from all present and really brought about
peace between people whose ancestors
have been lighting over these religious
matters since the diet Of Worms
Finally coed humor or az least passive
ness was restored. Fay being the first TO
recover himself. I'VE have been good
friends. John he said finally. and he held
out his hand. The men shook hands and
the difficulty was briaged.
A vote was then taken on the minority
report Of Haydea's substituting Dr Catch
for pr. Hamilton. II resulted In tie.
Wiley and Hayden voting aye while Fay
and Davis voted no Houston did not
vote and absolutely refused To 10 SO un-
I'll n later meeting This was the status
Of Affairs when motion TO adjourn ear
ried.