Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-07-06
WAY OF GOLD BUGS.
CLEARING THE COL EGGS OF
BRAVE TEACHERS.
10 Truth Wanted In the Temples That
Should He Consecrated to Research
The Cases of Heron Andrews, Rogers
and Others.


Wade Rogers was compelled to resign
as president of Northwestern Univer-
sity because he had publicly stated his
disagreement with the Republican pro-
gram of imperialism. the Chicago
Chronicle says:
Within the last few years there has
developed a tendency upon the part
Of college trustees to scrutinize with
some jealousy the utterances of faculty
members. The case Of DR.. Rogers Is
not the first in which public express
sion Of opinion on quasi-political
subject has cost university president
his position. The eviction Of DR.. Ben
iamin Andrews from the presidency OF
Brown university will be recalled by
everyone.
Similar instances are numerous
among professors. In some cases 1t
has been denied that the professors
have been dismissed because of their
opinion, but in the cases Of Professor
Bemis Of Chicago, Professor Heron OF
Grinnell and others 1t Is not disputed
that public utterances distasteful to
the trustees Tor to the bankers that
own the trustees), led to a severance
Of the relations between the college
and the teacher.
The trustees do not deny the right
Of faculty members to hold opinions
that may be classed as heterodox-so-
cially or politically-nor do they deny
the right to express those opinions
privately. The objection is to public
utterances which may be construed as
committing the college to radical SEN
timents, thereby soaring off wealthy
gentlemen who may be contemplating
liberal donations. The endowment
question undoubtedly has influenced
most, If not all, Of the dismissals OF
presidents and professors who have
expressed views unpalatable to pros
pective benefactors.
And, of course, If the matter be look
ed at from a purely business stand
point the trustees are justified in their
action. The grocer does not retain in
his employ a clerk who Is persona non
grata to his wealthy patrons. The book
agent does not affront the prejudices
of a person from whom he expects an
order.
II college were a money-making,
money-seeking institution pure and
simple no one could quarrel with the
policy which sacrifices competent pro-
fessors to the resentment Of wealthy
men who bestow or withhold their
donations according as their views
and opinions are deferred to or OPP
posed.
The question is whether colleges
ought to be influenced entirely by mer-
cenary motives-whether a college
thus Influenced is capable Of instilling
proper principles into the minds Of
youth-whether 1t is not mere tender
to conservatism and prejudice rather
than an institution tor broad culture
and training in right modes OF
thought.
It is certain that no institution OF
learning which breads open discussion
of any subject can be called univer-
sity. Universally includes everything.
These questions will assume more
prominence in the near future-the
more so as they are likely to become
in some degree political. For 1t y to
be noted that in every case where a
professor or a college president has
been dismissed because of his utter
ances those utterances have been part
ly or entirely in accord with the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party.
No president-no professor-has
been evicted from his chair for making
Republican stump speeches, and such
stump speeches are far more numerous
than are the anti-imperialist addresses
of DR.. Rogers or the silver utterances
of DR.. Andrews.
1t will therefore become a question
not merely of rich men controlling the
colleges, but of those rich men making
every college close Republican cor
poration. That question, particularly
in the west. will receive the attention
which its importance deserves.