The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-16
UNIVERSITY ON THE RACK.
TRUSTEES ASK A HEARING OF THE
LEGISLATURE.

STIMULATES That 1t Shall BE Before
order That Members May Ply the
Trustees With QuestiOns-The
Resolution Adopted in This Shape
by Vote of 90 to 2.
Atlanta, Ca, Nov 15.-The state uni
versity was the issue that monopolized the
House to-day. 1t is, in fact, just now an
issue of more lively proportions than the
convict question or anything else with
which the legislature has to deal. With
the Blalock committee report and the
criticisms of Pope Browns committee on
the Indictment, the university is on trial
for its very life There is a considerable
faction in the legislature which is appar-
emily determined to crush this old insti
tuition, and this spirit Of antagonism has
aroused the friends of the university to
such pitch that they have put it up as
the price of everything else. They are
making a gallant stand for it, and friends
are rallying to it's support from all quar-
ters of the state. The fight is so warm
that it is now almost personal one.
To-day the debate was precipitated by
a special message from Gov. Atkinson,
asking that the trustees of the university
might be given hearing before the legis-
lature to answer the attacks made upon
the institution. In accord with this mes
sage, Speaker Jenkins took the floor and
offered a resolution setting Wednesday
morning as the time for hearing the trus-
tees. This brought out substitute from
Mr.. Blalock, requiring the House to sit as
a committee of the whole to listen to the
trustees. His reason for this was that in
a committee of the whole, the speaker
might be piled with Questions, whereas in
regular session, all they could do would be
to listen to the arguments. In the end
Mr.. Blalock won, Mr.. jenkins, after hot
debate, accepting the substitute, and the
House adopting 1t by vote of 92 to ?.
The anti-university members claim this
as a victory.
Col. N. ]. Hammond, president of the
board of trustees, will be the spokesman.
1t is expected that it will be an exciting
time when he faces the House to denfend
the university and answer the multitude
of questions which Mr.. Blalock and his
followers intend to ply him with for the
purpose of embarrassing the university adj
ministratlon. Gov. Atkinson's message
was sent in response to the following let
lGA lIOIl- NOl. hammond.
His Excellency William Y. Atkinson.
Atlanta Ga: Observation-Disclosures
made since the present session of the gen
eral assembly began to show that the adj
ministration of the trust in charge of the
board of trustees of the University of
Georgia is being criticized, and by some
blamed.
Personally the board could and would
stand that, relying upon time for their vim
dication, but they feel that there Is danger
that the educational interests of the state
will suffer unless they have an opportuni-
ty before anything is done in the premises,
to be heard before the general assembly.
They believe that whatever adverse sent-
ment exists against the university arises
from either Instrumentation, or want of ac-
curate information about the facts. The
board will meet here next week and here
by ask your excellency to procure for them
a speedy hearing before the general as
sembly. have the honor to be, yours very
respectfully, N. j. Hammond,
Chairman Board of Trustees University of
Georgia."
In supporting the resolution to hear
the trustees in regular session. Mr.. Slaton
of Fulton addressed the House. He asked
If 1t was anything novel that servants of
the state and of the general assembly
should ask to be heard on a question vital
to their trust. He stated that the presi-
dent of the board of trustees had been
heretofore asked to speak, and when the
governor asked a hearing in behalf of
these public servants 1t should be granted.
Ex-Gov. Boynton asked whether the
trustees were to make speeches, or as wit
nesses subject to cross examination.
'rrhey are here to make a statement"
Mr.. Slaton replied. The best evidence Of
the need for a hearing is the desire of gem
tlemen on the other side to prevent a
- ~, III II 81
dence of the weakness of the opposition
and it gives me great pleasure"
Gov Boynton replied saying that the
Investigation was fair and impartial, and
that DR.. White was fully heard. The trus-
tees, with two exceptions, were not there.
The chancellor was not there. If they
failed to get a hearing 1t was their own
fault. They say they are wrongfully ac-
cused. In the mouth of their own house
hold they are accused. There isn't a thing
stated In the report that does not come
from the faculty or trustees.
Gov Roynton. criticising the Ag-
ricyltural College, quoted Mr.
effect that the first professor of the col
lege was utterly incompetent, didn't know
ammonia from sornethingelse, and actually
believed that feeding a COW with fodder
would dry up her milk. He quoted Prof.
Hunnicut to the effect that he had no
encoura cement and no assistance.
Speaker Jenkins asked If Judge Boynton
ever invited the trustees to appear before
them.
I'VE never invited anybody" he answer
ed I'VE gave public notice that we would
be there"
He declared that 1t was the first time
that the House had been asked to invite
an outsider before 1t to make an exparte
statement and argument. 1t was a prece-
dent that was full of evil, and might have
far-reaching consequences.
Speaker Jenkins then took the floor and
made forcible speech. 1t was a sorry
day when the legislature denied a hearing