The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-04-04

| injury to the school He has an influence
over the pupils and has been able 10 ad-
vance the institution TO the front
After these remarks had been made by
the Alva people, Governor Ferguson
stated that he desired TO make some
statements in regard to the Ament mat
ter. He said: II wish 70 correct the
impression that this matter is all one
sided al Alva. When I speak, 7 speak
on authority. for within the past week
I have received letters from highly re-
spected citizens and business men OF
your city; also letters and affidavits from
students in regard TO this matter and
they ali recommended the removal OF
Ament. When the proposition OF making
a change il the Alva presidency was up
last fall delegation of business men
came here from Alva to intercede in favor
Of Ament. With one exception, have let
ters from these men stating that it their
opinion that a change should be made at
this time. At the Christmas vacation,
having the best interests of the normal
at heart. I was afraid TO make change
in the presidency for fear OF disorgan-
izing the institution. I requested the
board OF education for normal schools
not to make a change in the presidency
until the close Of the year, and no change
was made. Immediately after this meet
ing. President Ament came IN here. spend
ing three hours in trying to explain the
charges made against him. His attempt
ed explanation was not satisfactory TO
me. 1 speak in one instance, relative to
the duplicate voucher matter.
''Mr. Ament told me at that time. that
If he was allowed TO remain in the normal
until the close OF the school year. he
would take his successor into the school
and do all in his power to assist him in
his work. AS I understood IT, he went
back to Alva to work harmoniously with
the other members of the faculty. I told
him at the time that he had an opportun-
ity to get along all right, but evidently he
did not take advantage OF the time. At
every meeting of the board Of education
he has tried to explain the charges
against him. There are no charges on file
here against him. however.
Mr.. Ament has tried to bring several
members of the faculty into disrepte
with the students. This is not the right
action for the president Of an educational
institution. I have a letter written
yesterday by President Ament. which. in
itself is sufficient to demonstrate that he
is not a fit person to be at the head Of
an educational institution like the Alva
normal He used terms in that letter in
speaking about members Of the faculty,
that are fit only in a prize fight melee.
lie IS vinlicative and ready for revenge.
have an AFFIDAVIT from student which
states that Ament called him rascal and
threatened TO whip him: also that he
threatened that he would whip him if he
divulged certain things which Ament did
not care to have known.
Il wish to say that Ament has had an
investigation at every meeting of the
board of education, and that it has kept
him continually explaining 7 do not be-
lieve under the circumstances that har-
monious conditions can exist in that
school with Ament at the head of it. Per
sonaIy, I am interested in the institu-
ton Il is located in western Oklahoma,
near my home, but 1 wish to say this:
That If the board of education. at its
meeting tomorrow selects a successor to
take charge of the school next Monday
morning I viii sustain its action. On the
other hand, if the board decides to retain
Ament until the end of the present school
year. I will sustain it in that action. II
there should be a change in presidents
at this time and any member of the
faculty thinks that he cannot work In
harmony with the new president. his res
ignation will be called for. Hereafter
it makes no difference where trouble in
this school originates, with Prof. Davis
friends or the supporters of President
Ament It viii not be permitted. The
board Of education viii be called togeth- /
er and a change made
After Governor Ferguson made his
statement 10 the delegation. some time
was taken up in discussing phases of the /
Alva normal matter. but without any
definite results. Several little PERSONAL (
ties were INDUCED in. showing that the |
conditions at Alva. outside of the school /
are not as harmonious as they might be. /
The delegation consisted of prominent I
men in Woods county. and the following /
are some Of the number: D. c. Oates, A. /
9 Grimes. Jim c. Quigley A. s. Hank /
ms, J. G. Devine, z. NJ. Green, 2. G. I
Boatman, c. p. Green. ". d. Close. W !
s. Laney NJ N. Thomas. w. A Fergu /
son. D. r. Ayresman. J. f. Smith, G. /
NJ Lisk. Jesse r. Langley. Robert f. /
Clark. Z. NJ. Coggill. DR.. Madison, Sho- /