The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-15
UP 10 LEATHER APRONS
Mr.. BAILEY SAYS THE A. & NJ. COLLEGE
SH0t Id Be RAISED.
He RepI'es'to Prof. Massey Claiming that he his
subStantiated The Charges Made in
His First Letter.

Ills r TSt ISlleT.
Mr. Editor: A reply to the letter of
the Professor of Horticulture. etc, in
the "A. and NJ. College is not necessary.
| am sure the public is capable of dis
criiMnating between billingsgate and
honest reputation of facts But it may
be well, III conclusion, to review the
Professors defense
In his first letter he denied that he
had written anonymous letters of sour
rilous character, and called for specif
cation. cited his production in the
Charlotte Observer. In his second let
ter he confesseS that he wrote that pro-
ductlon, but denies that it was sour
rilouS. The friends Of the gentleman
at whom it was aimed considered it
most reprehensibe This morning l
received Il letter from Statesyille re-
ferring to it as the dirty attack on Dr.
Taylor in the Charlotte Observer" |
think the public in general is prepared
to believe after reading his letters of
Sunday and Wednesday that the Pro
fesSor is quite capable and ready to in
dulge in scurrilous personal attacks 1t
is enough for the public to know that
his attack upon President Taylor was
of such Il character thatIeven the Pro
fessor of Horticulture ETC., who has
signed some rather scurrilous para
graphs these last few days, would not
sign his name to it.
In his first letter he denied with much
feeling that he had counseled the dis
mssa of two of his fellow professors,
and he called for their names | gave
them In his second letter he pleads
guilty to writing to members of the
board and advising the retirement of
these gentlemen. He cannot reconcile
his denial in his first letter with his con
fession in his second. 1t is another
instance. perhaps, Of his ability to teach
either the round or fiat theory. Mr..
Ray. of Macon. should move for the
establishment of such a chair.
His only consistency lies in that he
confeSses in first and last letters that
he has a remarkable fondness for potash
These were the three main points
He says nothing to defend himself
from my charge that after nine years
as head of the Department of Iorticul-
ture, Arboriculture and Botany. he has
not SO much as Il garden for practical
work. He begs pitifuly that the public
overlook his disgraceful alteration with
fellow professor.
On the other hand he lets my charges
stand. recognizing their truth, and takes
his resentment out in billingsgate for
me and praise for himself. He charges
me with scurrility. The public will
bear witness that have not dealt as he
has in epithets and abuse. have con
fined myself to his deeds and conduct.
If my letters have been touched with
scurrlity it is because they were con
cerned with scurrilous deeds and con-
duct.
One statement that ! have made
should be qualified. In showing up the
interference of certain members of the
faculty with the General Assembly in
the selection of trustees. / put the two
young men selected in preference to the
candidates of the alumni association in
an unpleasant light. My purpose was
not TO reflect upon them. | have no
doubt that Messrs. Gold and Pear
son were defeated because certain mem
beers of the faculty were afraid of Them
and that Messrs. Clark and Bonitz were
chosen because these same members Of
them. That is the view taken by lead
ing members of the alumni association
of the college But | do not believe and
do not wish to be understood as intimat-
ing that the gentlemen who were elect
ed knew anything whatever of this or
made any bargain or sought the appoint
ment in any way.
Finally, let me repeat that the Pro
fessor of Horticulture is not my object
| trust he is by this time aware that he
is not seriously in my way. | am main
tanning that the a. and NJ. College is
sailing ont of its course. | think the
present time most favorable for read
justment The public knows of the in
stitution's distress. | believe the col
lege has a useful future as a scientific
and technical institution of practical
character. | plead for that for the in
stitution's sake and in the name of
the sons of the farmers and mechanics
in North Carolina. ! do not see why
| should be so bitterly attacked for doing
this, but that makes no difference. The
college is doomed to failure and its fate
is even now apparent. as a literary and
theoretical school. That question is to
be determined very soon. | hope the
board will take thought for the institu-
ton and for North Cardinals poor boys,
for whom especially this institution was
conceived. Let us have done with the
kid glove idea and come down-nay, up
to leather aprons and broad brimmed
straw hats. Sincerely,
June II. 1899 j. w. BAILEY.