The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-01-30
A, M SMITH RESIGNS.
w8LL LEAVE OAHU COLLEGE IN
JUNE.
elimination Of a Long Series Of Differ
ences Between Him and a Majority
OF the Trustees.

President Arthur Maxson Smith of
Oahu College has resigned, his resigna-
tiOn to take effect at the end of the
school year, The resignation was ten
dered at a meeting Of the trustees Of
the college held yesterday
At the same time three of the trus-
tees stepped out of the board, Chief
Justice Walter H. Frear, Justice An
tonic Perry and DR. NJ b. Emerson
As to the causes leading to Presi-
dent Smiths resignation none of the
trustees viii speak freely All feel that
the differences of opinion held among
them and the differences of opinion
as 60 the work accomplished at the
college, are such as honest men all
having the interests of the institution
at heart might entertain and that dis
cussiOn of them can neither lead to
unanimity Of opinion or be helpful to
the college. The three trustees who
have stepped out of the board are un-
derstoOd to have done so with the
feeling that unanimity in the board
even as to policies which they do not
approve, is of more benefit to the in
stitution than continual differences,
and that they step out to make room
for men in accord with the majority.
1t is known however that there has
been dissatisfaction with President
Smith and his administration of the
tDutBe dllilOsl lIOll lIle beginning ol
his inCumbenCy. Causes of friction
have multiplied until it is an open Sc
cret among the parents of pupils that
there is great dissatisfaction with the
internal management, discipline and
esprit du corps of the student body.
SO far as the trustees are concerned, it
is not believed that any of them make
charges or criticisms rejecting on the
scholarship, personal character, or
fidelity of President Smith or that any
specific act of his either of omission
or commission can be pointed to which
i'm itself, and standing alone, would
call for a change But that the sum
total of the effect of his administra-
ton, does not create either in faculty
or Student body such a sentiment of
loyalty and cooperation as the best
interests of the institution call for.
Among pupils and parents there is
less restraint on discussion of the
matter, and among these much is cur
rent of disagreements and differences
of opinion between teachers and pre-
sident destructive of the best work; of
the alienation Of pupils interest and
loyalty by the president; and generally
of a want of harmony and absence Of
friction.
Some disciplinary measures taken by
President Smith have been not only
the subject of severe criticism, not as
to their severity, but as to their ill
advisedness, but have resulted in the
Withdrawing of pupils and extreme
dissatisfaction on the part Of parents
OF others. Some remarks of Presi-
dent Smith made to students in the
class room creating the impression
that he considered the work of his pre-
decessOrs as of little merit and that to
him would be due the raising of the in
stitution to the place it should occupy
N s1r O. "a i'm tod
to as the source and beginning of much
of the friction and difficulties which
have followed.
Chief Justice Frear stated that his
reason for resigning was that the pO-
Icy Of the management of the institu-
tion was opposed to his views. This
has been my position for some time
back" he said during which the whole
line of policy has been opposed to my
views, I saw no chance of a change
and therefore withdrew"
When asked regarding the accept
ance Of President Smiths resignation,
the chief justice said that that was
only an incident, the reason for his
resignation being a policy of long
standing, to which he was opposed. He
was not disposed to go into particu-
lars. 'I have simply quietly with
drawn" he said, and that is all 1 need
say"
President Smiths resignation having
been accepted, the trustees are now on
the lookout for a new president and
for men to take the place of those who
have resigned from the board Of trus-
tees.
The trustees OF the College with the
exception of those just resigned are:
Gov, Dole, L. A. Thurston, William r.
Castle, r. w Damon, p. c. Jones, w.
ID. Alexander, j. b. Atherton Albert
F. Judd and G. N. Wilcox