The news & observer., 1897-06-18
CHAMBE RLA|N, CUTE
Why Prof. Irby Was Displaced
at A. and M. College.
PROF. lRBY'S QUESTIONS
REFUSED TO BUY CHAMBER
LAIN'S FERTILIZERS.
REFUSED MORE PAY ELSEWHERE
One College Offered $500 More and
One $4OO More than He Got from
the A. and M. College--A Clean
and Courageous Record.
PROF. IRBY'S QUESTIONS
REFUSED MORE PAY ELSEWHERE
and Courageous Record.


my former students, and to my friends
throughout the State generally, l feel it
incumbent upon me to make a few
statements with reference to the recent
shake-up at the A. and Nj. College.
l think the people ought to know the
truth on all sides, and l have purposely
waited one week to write, so that1 might
do it with a cool head and a conscience
void of offense.
Five years ago came here a stranger;
acquainted with only two citizens Of the
State. When l first. came before the
college board l told them frankly that
/ hoped sectarianism and politics played
no part in the college, if so l wished to
withdraw my application that day; that
only wanted to stand on my merit, and
did not wish to have or hold place by
church or political influence.
l said that | was proud to claim that
| was Methodist, and a Democrat but
did not wish to use these facts to help
me get or retain a position.
Just the other day | had it suggested
to me that being a Mason l could get
some influence in that way, but | an
swered that | did not care to hold a
church, Masonry or political influence.
/ am Southern man, love the South.
and always hope to live in the South. My
heart is with her people. have invested
my small savings here near Raleigh. My
interest is here, and here l would like
to remain.
Since coming to this college | have
refused an offer to go back to my alma
mater, the Mississippi A. and NJ. Col
lege, at an advance of $500 per year
above what ! received here. | refused
an offer to go to Texas at an advance
of S400. j think this shows that my
heart and interest is with North Caro-
lima.
| have claimed all along that l was
not working for the Democratic. nor for
the Republican party; but for the State.
| have been non-partisan, vet was turn
ed out because | failed to vote the right
ticket last fall. To prove that l was
non-partisan, before / had been in my
position six months. | was accused of
giving work to ''black Republican" in
painting our barn, when deserving
Democrat wanted the job. These are
the facts. The Democrats bid was
$40 above what / knew the work could
be. and was done by the negro.
What was | to do? 1t never occurred
to me to inquire what the politics of
either was. | did not know, and did not
care. | was looking for painter, and
not a politician. There was such a stir
about it that finally / went to the presi-
dent of the board and told him that if
| was in any sense of the word to be
considered as a party tool that | wished
to hand in my resignation at once. He
assured me that such was not the case
and that / should hire whom / thought
best, regardless of politics or color. 1
was working for the State and thought
it was my business to get the work done
as cheaply as possible.
/ worked hard to secure a separate
board for the college and am proud to
say saw such created. / was told by
some of my Democratic friends that the
new board would cut my head off along
with the rest. / answered that / would
run the risk, and was working from
principle. / hoped to see the board act
non-politically.
If we can get it non-poltical in future
and on the basis that l hoped for,
will consider the chopping off of my head
small sacrifice for the consummation of
so great purpose.
/ would like to ask the board few
questions:
1st. Is it decent for members of a
board to apply for and vote themselves
into positions of which they are trus-
tees? Will you be able in future to act
as impartial guardian of the college?
2nd. Is it not best to require testimon-
ials to be sent in and then take due
time to consider same?
3rd. Is it right for board to do all
their work in caucus and not discuss
matters in the regular meetings?
4th. Should not a man already in a
position be investigated before replacing
him? Especially when he cordially in
vites you to investigate.
5th. If | was removed for the sake of
| economy, why is an assistant to be elected
| for my successor!
As to whether Mr.. Chamberlain was
| turned out of the college faculty, ad-
| vised to resign, or asked to resign |
do not know, and do not care; but | do
wish to ask him a few questions.
ask these questions because | have
reason to believe that these, and more
that / could mention, had an influence
| in causing my removal:
| 1st Is it not all from personal
grudge?
| End. Did | not call to see you soon
after arriving in Raleigh, and told you
that | wanted you to give me all the
points and help, as same would be very
| valuable to me as your successor!
| 3rd. Was | not friendly and social and
made the first advances in that line?
4th. Have l not always and in all
places treated you in a gentlemanly
manner?
| Did l not try faithfully year after year
| to buy fertilizer from you, but could
never do so as you always went above
others in price?
| 9th. Is it because. by example and
precept, / have shown my students, and
the farmers of the State, that it is much
cheaper, by many dollars, to buy the in
gradients and mix the fertilizer at home ?
7th. Did you not say to me that you
would charge me $11 per tom for acid
when you had just sold some in Ten
nessee for $3.50?
Sth. Why the strange coincidence that