The San Francisco call., 1899-07-02

this addition the committee consisted OF
Hallidie, Miller, Houghton, Slack, Demcke
and Rowell.
Before the special business was disposed
Of many of the regents were apprlsed OF
the fact that Benjamin lde WheeIeT OF
Cornell had been heard from. Judge w al
lace, being extremely anxious to present
to the regents, and conceal from the pun
lie, the contents of a communication from
the newly elected president, moved that
the board go into executive session
The secret session lasted for more tnan
an hour. 1t transpired that the commit
tee appointed at the last meeting 10 m
form DR. Wheeler of his election to the
presidency at a salary of $4,000 per an
mum received a reply from him setting
unless the regents agreed to certain CON
ditions. Four demands are presented BY
DR.. Wheeler. He stipulates:
Ffrst-T'hat he shall have the power to
appoint and dismiss professors and IN
struCtors, and that his recommendations
shall be sustained by the Board of Re
gents.
Second-That all communications from
the faculty to the Board of Regents shall
pass through his hands.
Third-That he shall have the power 10
fix the compensation of instructors; that
salaries shall not be increased or dimin-
iShed. except upon his recommendation.
Fourth-That the board, after deciding
TO support the president, must not with
draw the support.
The reading of the communication as
founded several of the regents. The per
emptOry tone of the letter was more re-
markable than the demand for almost
absolute authority; Judge Wallace was
so much taken back by the brusque style
of the document that he did not hesitate
TO assert that if he had seen the letter
before he registered his choice for presi-
dent he would not have cast his vote for
DR.. Wheeler
The letter is quite extended. Reference
is made therein to the action of the re-
gents in promoting a professor against
the presidents recommendation to the
contrary. The allusion to L. Du Pont
Styles promotion was so obvious that the
blood of Washington in the veins of Re
gent FOOte grew warm. The regent voiced
ms sentiments so that the neighbOrs know
how he stands on the question of allowing
Or. w Wheeler to lord 1t over the board.
DR.. Wheeler is obviously posted con-
corning affairs at Berkeley. He remind
ed the regents that If he accepted the
office of president he would have no body
reached Cornell that President Kellogg
has bodyguard at Berkeley and that
the guard consists of favored professors.
The regents had high old time in
discussing the pointed letter. General
Barnes was the presiding officer during
the discussion and kept the talk within
parliamentary bounds. Some of the re-
gents contend that Wheeler's demands
are not extraordinary, in view of the eX-
listing conditions at Berkeley, but they
hold that his direct style of expression in
dicateS that tact is not one of his leading
qualities.
The discussion developed a purpose on
the part or the board not TO surrender
the right Of the State to govern the uni
versity. The demands of Dr. Wheeler
were not denied or granted. In truth
the regents fenced. They decided to in
Vite Dr. Wheeler to come to San Fran
cisco at the expense of the board and
talk over the matter.
Regent Arthur Rodgers, who possesses
tact enough for two men. was elected 10
correspond with the newly chosen presi-
dent. He will tone down the expression
Of surprised regents and eXalt the posi-
btltttes Of the university. 1t will be his
duty as correspondent to inform DR..
Wheeler that the board is ready to meet
him in a generous and frank manner to
talk over the suggestions contained in the
communication.
1t transpires that DR. Wheeler submit
ted his conditions TO Mrs. Hearst whom
he saw in New York last week. The re-
port comes that she is willing. as re-
gent, to give the new president the power
that he asks for
The Call has received the following dis
patch regarding the movements of DR..
Wheeler:
NEW YORK, July Professor Wheeler has
returned TO Ithaca. Mrs Hearst says he has
not decided whether he will accept the Presi-
dency of the California University
The regents are divided in opinion as to
Dr. Wheeler's acceptance. If he should
decline there will be Others-Cary Jones,
Mr.. Moses and Mr.. Renstein.