Morris tribune., 1897-08-04
FACULTY PROTEST
Corporation Of Brown University
Receives an Open Letter
From Professors.
Material Growth of a University
Subordinate to Independ-
ence of Thought.
The Letter Was, of Course, Elic.
tied by the Resignation of
President AdreWs.

PROVIDENCE, N. l., aug. 4. AL UpSu
letter addressed to the corporation OF
Brown university by members OF the
faculty of that institution is the latest
development of public interest in rela-
ton to President Andrews resignation.
In substance the address says that the
resignation of President Andrews fol-
lowed as direct and natural conse-
quence of the action of the corporation
of June II, and that Brown university
now stands in an ugly position.
''If we are not mistaken, " the letter
continues, ''more is involved than the
exigencies of single institution or the
fortunes of single educator.
Recognizing that the corporation
has not been alone in thinking and say
ing that DR. Andrews freedom of
speech ought to be restrained, we beg
leave to combat the proposition, wher-
ever and by whomsoever maintained,
that official action tending to restrain
his expression on public affairs, is justi-
fed on the lower ground of pecuniary
necessity and advantage, and it
Lacks All Justification
when considered from that higher point
of view from which the educational in
stitutions of a great country ought al
ways to be guarded.
''If income be fit criterion, then DIR.
Andrews is entitled to be regarded as,
in a pecuniary sense, the greatest bene
factor Brown university ever had.
More than half its income is, beyond
doubt, due to him and his labors IF
restraint Of President Andrews cannot
be justified on these lower grounds of
pecuniary results, still less defensible
does it appear when viewed from higher
ground. The general argument for
freedom Of speech, it is not necessary to
repeat, least of all in Rhode Island,
260 years been cherished with peculiar
jealousy 1t would stamp the institu-
ton in the eyes of the country as one
which freedom Of thought is not per-
mitted when it runs counter to the
views Of the community or held by
those from whom the college expects
financial support.
Reference is made to the details of
the corporation meeting at which Presi-
dent Andrews was requested to forbear
in the future from the PRONUNCIATION of
his free coinage Of silver views, and it
is declared that it was not intended to
have the vote of the corporation made
public.
Material Gro with Not the Only Thing.
'sPrivate and individual remonstrance
is one thing" it is declared by the
faculty, s'but action of the sort de-
scribed by the body which appoints
presidents is, we submit, very differ
ent thing. 1t is open to the gravest OF +
iections and rests upon theory which,
if extensively acted upon, would eat the
heart out of our educational institu-
tions, the theory that the material
growth of university is of more i'm
portance than independence of thought
and expression on the part of its presi-
dent and professors, and that boards of
trustees have, as such, the right to sug-
gest limitations upon such independ-
ence.
''It is not to be believed, and we are
far from believing that this theory in
all its amplitude was presented to the
minds of your honorable body on the
occasion named, and distinctly ac-
cepted by them. But the logical con-
nection between that theory and the
concrete action taken is, on considera-
ton, SO plain, ard has found SO COM
plete lodgment id the public mind,
and the manifest injury of the univer-
sity, that we respectfully beg you to
take again into consideration the prin-
ciples involved, at your ensuing meet
ing, to take that action which alone can
permanently relieve Brown university
from all suspicion of illiberality or
bias. I"
The letter was signed by the most
prominent men connected with the
university.