The age-herald., 1901-01-09
ALUMNI OF STATE
 UNIVERSITY MEET Recent Trouble at the Institution
 Was Considered THE CAUSES AND REMEDIES Animated Discussion Over Certain Res- olutions-committee Raised to Re- port to Adjourned Meeting to be
 Held Friday Night.
THE CAUSES AND REMEDIES

Some four and twenty alumni of the Uni verstty of Alabama were in session from o'clock to Il in the rooms of the Commer- cial Club last night.
 There was continuous discussion of the existing troubles of tine university, ana their causes and remedies; many speeches were made; familiar facts and allegations were re-stated there was at times consfd- erable confusion, and after raising a com mittee of seven on resolutions, the meeting adjourned to reassemble at the same place at o'clock next Friday evening.
 The gathering last night was in response to a call, made through the newspapers, signed by several alumni
 James E. Webb, a member of the board of trus tees, was present as spectator, talk ing no part in the proceedings. Amongst dlle others in attendance were Judge James J. Banks, Judge Dan Green, Prof. Joel c. DuBose, James L. Tanner, Sterling A. Wood, Col. S. w. John, Col M. w. Steele, William Mudd Walker, J. W. Mcconnell, William A. Walker, Hill Ferguson, J. L. Drennen, Louis V. Clark. T. B. Slade, R. F. Manly, Lorenzo Luckie, Romaine Boyd, Henry Pitts. Robert J. Lowe came in late, having been detained.
 On motion of Colonel John Maj. J. w. Mcconnell was called to the chair.
 William Mudd Walker was chosen secre- tary of the meeting.
 Mr. Tanner called attention to the fact that at the moment none of the men who had signed the newspaper call for the meeting was present.
 Cause of the Trouble.
 Colonel John referred at length ito con- ditions affecting the university, in the course of which he declared that the only act causing trouble at the university was that of contempt of authority, and so long as the board of trustees interfered with discipline just so long would there be trou- ble. Discipline must be maintained, and it could not be maintained by interference from the trustees.
 Colonel John moved that committee be appointed by the chair to consider the questions involved and to report at an ad- journed meeting of the Alumni some days hence.
 MT. Wood hoped that the interest aroused amongst the Alumni of the university would result in good to the institution. Notwithstanding the military feature the university was gradually dividing itself in- to schools-the law school, as example, now having about fifty students and working and progressing most tremendously. The recent trouble was caused and arose in what might be called the military school. The military feature is very hard prob lem. He believed he had never seen a finer student body than that now at the university.
 After dealing with some familiar facts, MT Wood declared that he did not regard the outlook as being gloomy but he con- fessed that he had observed strong objec- tions to the military system.
 MT. Tanner agreed that the main trouble was the military system, and he was con vinced that the alumni generally was op- posed to that system and desired 1t abol- ished absolutely. He felt that militarism ought to be eliminated. The university has for years been on the down grade. The alumni do not visit It as they formerly did, have lost interest in it, for they feel that it is not properly conducted. IL saddened him, for he would be proud to see the uni versity at the head of the educational in sttutions of the State, which it is not.
 General CIark's Resolution.
 General Clark offered as a substitute for Colonel Johns motion the following:
 Whereas, the Birmingham District Alumni of the University Of Alabama feel deep interest in their alma mater and be- leve its future dignity and usefulness de- pend, in very large measure, upon the action of its board of trustees at their spe- cial meeting in Tuscaloosa this week; and
 Whereas, nasty action is always uncer- tain of good results; therefore be it
 Resolved by the alumni here assembled, That they respectfully petition the board of trustees to accept the resignation of pr. Powers, but not to elect at this meeting his successor, but that they elect a mem- Der of the faculty as acting president un- til the alumnae meet in June"
 Attention was called to the fact that President Powers resigna tion did not take effect until next June, whereupon General Clark said he understoo that the pressure upon the trustees was so great that at their meeting tomorrow Wednesday, the board would find itself impelled to accept Dr. Powers resignation, to take immediate effect; that Dr. Powers usefulness was held to have passed, and that it was ad yisable that he cease to serve.
 General Clark withdrew his resolution temporarily, and Colonel Johns motion was adopted. The chairman appointed as com mittee Colonel John, MT Wood, William A Walker, J. J. Garrett, General Clark. Mir Fitts and MT. Drennen.
 Professor DuTose declared that it was advisable to ab )lish the military feature. He said that the situation was deplorable and every friend of the University was grieved. He was not in favor of General Clark's resolution, which had been re-intro- duced, if 1t meant that the trustees were to immediately accept Dr. Powers resigna- tion; that was too strong. He would de- clare it the sense of the meeting that the military feature be abolished.
 Judge Dan Green felt that if something tangible and emphatic were not done by the trustees at once it would mean at least six months longer of disagreeable and hurt ful conditions. It was the duty of the alumni to speak out and speak for the good of the, University. He favored Gen. eral Clarks resolution.
 MT. Garrett approved the resolution of General Clark.
 Lack of Discipline.
 Colonel John argued at length the lack of discipline at the university in effect, the military feature was farcical. But why haven't the trustees dealt with it in all these years? There was a confusion of evidence in respect to the present trouble different persons giving absolutely conflict ing testimony All the troubles of the uni- versity had been caused during the govern ment of presidents who were not educators. He was in favor of getting a president from the other side of the globe, if neces- sary, and one who knew nothing of politics