The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-14
PARTISAN MOTIVES.
Their Baneful Influence on Educa-
tional Institutions

| Manhattan, June 14-As the culmin-
! alton of the movement beginning with
| the suspension of the two college re-
| gents, the following resolution was Of
| fered in board meeting, Saturday after
noon, June 10:
| Resolved, That the interest of the
| Kansas state agricultural college re-
| quireS that the services of the following
named officers and professors of this
! college be dispensed with after June so,
| 1899: President viii, Prof. Bemis, Prof.
Ward, Prof. Parsons, Secretary PhippS.
Regent Vrooman said:
Ladies and Gentlemen:-I rise to op-
pose the passage of this resolution and
| protest to against action of this char
acter. I believe the effect will be mis-
| chievOus. At our last meeting a res
olution was introduced, resembling the
engagement made with Mr.. William ].
Bryan to deliver the comm encement
address in this city. I told the board
at that time that the passage of the
resolution would be mistake, that
they would receive much more censure
for partisan action If they Withdrew
that invitation than if they let the ac-
ton of the other board stand, since it
had been taken and the matter pre-
Sumably was settled. But this board
became responsible. Events have show
ed that I was wonderfully correct. The
board has been roasted by the press all
over the country. The Republican press
has censured the members. The Re
publican party has repudiated that ac-
ton as far as possible. 1t is ashamed
of what was done.
but the mistake made at that time
in cancelling the Bryan engagement
was nothing in comparison with the
mistake now about to be made If
these professors are dismissed on the
slight ground here shown, nothing will
persuade the people of the country that
this is not a political movement. The
word will go abroad that this Institution
has been prostituted for political ends.
Were there mitigating circumstances it
might be possible to convince at least
the Republican party that this action is
for non-political motives. But L do not
believe any editor can convince his
readers now that this is non-political.
Take for instance DR.. Ward. He has
degrees from three universities. When
1 was student at Harvard came un-
der his influence, though he was not my
teacher. I revered that man, and my
brother, who was under him in classes,
told me what an inspiration and help
he was to him. Now think that this
man, teaching a subject not political,
that does not involve political subjects.
should have a lot of little preachers
bowling at his heels to say his religious
views were not correct. L am greatly
surprised at the removal of DR.. Ward.
1 had expected some such action with
regard to the other professors. We
have differed frankly and freely on
economic questions and in regard to
economic instruction 1 came here ex-
pecting to make a fight and be downed,
but 1 not expect to see DR.. Ward
thrown out.
Il want to make this point There will
be no possibility of explaining this
thing any other way than that this ed
ucational institution has been dragged
down into partisan politics. Two years
from now expect a change of majority
I may be wrong, but my expectation is
that two years hence 1 will be with the
party that will be in power
No matter what action you may
take today, if am an the board of re-
gents then you may count on my stand
ing up and making a fight against any
partisan action on the part of the board
of regents, but I tell you frankly that
if you take this action at this time I
expect at that time to be overwhelmed.
1t will be impossible to stay the tide of
indignation, and in their rush of feeling
the people will do things then which