The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-15
DIR. EAGER REPLIES
To Some Criticisms Made on His
Position

To the Editor of the Age-Herald:
Please permit me to have few words to
say through your columns by way of retro
spect of the Montevallo matter.
I ask this simply in the interest of the
school and ito vindicate the truth of his
tory:
First, it has gone out from Montgomery
and been currently reported over the state
that Governor Johnston, Senator Block,
Judge Aston and myself had many con-
ferences" in Montgomery Immediately pre-
vious to the meeting of the board-of trus-
tees, in which Captain Reynolds was de
posed" and l was elected TO the presidency
AS for myself, it is probably enough to
say that | was in Louisville attending the
Southern Baptist convention for more than
a week previous to that meeting and that L
did not return to Montgomery until after
that meeting. But I may add-to be more
specifc-that 1 had no conferences with
these gentlemen, or with any one of them,
at any time previous to our coming to-
gether at Montevallo.
Second, a report, purporting to some from
ga gentleman who was a visitor at Mon
teyalo during the commencement exercises
and the board of trustees meeting" which
has had wide currency, was at fault in one
or two particulars. 1t was given forth in
the following words: 81 sat near the room
where the board held it's executive session
to elect officers, and while could not hear
what was being said, knew from their ac-
lions that they were having an exciting
meeting, and in few minutes saw Gov
ernor Johnston and DIR. Eager go out and
into an adjoining room, and after talking
very earnestly for about ten minutes, they
returned and soon afterwards 1T was an
nounced that DR.. Eager had been elected
president" beg to say that his statement
is inaccurate in two important particulars:
First, I retired from the board Immediately
after it went into executive session; and,
second, Governor Johnston had no word
with me on the subject until after I was
elected to the presidency. Then, as I have
previously given out, he came forth, told
me of my election, assured me that it was
'all news to him." etc. This was my first
interview with the governor on the sub
ject end was my last, until the day of my
declination.
For one, agree with the opinion that has
been so fully expressed of late: that 1t Is
not well to bring politics" in the sense
objected to, into the administration or con-
troll of our schools, and that it will be sad,
bad day for the educational interests of the
state when 1t becomes the rule of action to
do So I have stood unfateringly for this
principle and policy during my entire con-
nection with the Montevalo school.
Third but for some health considerations
and the current belief that was afterwards
so fully expressed Dy trustees, leacDerS anu
citizens of Montevallo. that my acceptance
of the presidency would secure virtual unity
and harmony in the board of trustees. the
faculty and constituency Of the school. and
thus provide for carrying on the work of
the school without interruption, I would
not have given it an hours consideration
Fourth, I have direct and explicit fnfor-
nation from one who saw the letter that on
the day after my election to the presidency
Captain Reynolds wrote me a personal let
ter assuring me that-however hurt he was
by the summary action of the board-he did
not believe that had been guilty of bad
faith toward him, and that he hoped /
would accept the presidency. and, that If I
saw fit to do so, he would render me all the
assistance he could in the discharge of the
duties of the office. That letter he did not
send. The explanation was that when he
submitted It to his son, the said he
must first set himself right with the pub
lie So there appeared the next Sunday in
the Age-Herald. the Advertiser and the
Constitution the letter with which the pub
lie is so familiar.
Fifth "All is we'll that ends we'll" The
beloved school is in some respects the bet
ter off for what has happened. Thousands
of people know of it now who had never be-
fore heard of it-thousands, indeed. who
might never have known of 1t but for this
agitation.
Then what a pre-eminently fit and wise
and well-known man we have at least for
presdent-a man who was the unanimous
and enthusiastic choice of the board and
whose record as educator In Alabama is
an epistle read and known of all men, All
hail to the new president-Dr. Massey-who
las accepted and will enter at once upon
the duties of the office! What the school
will become under his wise charge is not
left TO conjecture.
Permit me to add that the above was put
in final shape last night after Dr. Massey
had slgnifed his acceptance of the presi-
dency.
This morning he conveyed to Governor
Johnston. Senator Thompson and myself
his final decision to decline the office This
he felt compelled to do because of the crit
fcal condition In which he found his wife
On his return home after midnight last
night.
I cannot but express my profound disap-
pointment that the school is to be denied
the services of the man who. few hours
before, seemed TO me and to many "the
man of destinv;" but can at least sym
pathiza with the noble man in the agony he
has undergone In the "vallev of indecision,"
and In the delicate. but imperative. mo-
tives that prompted his declination.
GEORGE B. EAGER
Montgomery, Ala, June IA, 1899.