Evening journal., 1902-06-17
c.. +. RUDOLPH,
Market and Fourth s
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
Constable Replies to ReII

Clr. MY dlltuIlOn mas Deon
called TO a recent editorial in the Will
mington Star, written with much
temper and bad taste, upon the subject
OF the late unpleasantness at Delaware
College.
Making a direct personal attack upon
me it seems that the editor of the Star,
Mr.. Bell has allowed himself to become
lunduly excited over some remarks
printed in the Delaware College Re
view in regard to the understanding
which induced the rebelling students
TO return to college.
A number of students had been sus-
pended by the college authorities, and
this led to a demand by the entire
student body, exclusive OF the senior
class. that the suspended students
should be recalled, with the threat,
lactlally carried OUT that they would
absent themselves from~all recitations
until their demand was acceded to.
In that condition of things, a meet
ing Of the students was addressed by
several of the students parents, (in-
cluding Mr. BelD and by the President
of the Board of Trustees; and it was
in reference to that meeting, and the
assurance there given, that the Review
made the remarks which have caused
Mr.. Bell to forget the decencies Of
journalism
Here is what he quotes from the Re
view: "A majority of the students re-
turned and attended this meeting, and
after listening to several speeches de-
livercd by parents, and especially an
address by the President of the Board
OF Trustees. they were assured that
should they return to college work the
suspended students should be recalled.
Upon this assurance, in which even tho
illustrious head of the Board of Trus-
tees joined, the students decided TO re-
turn TO duty. Now that the students
have returned. the promise Of the
above mentioned ones has faded into
obscurity and too late the students
have discovered that il was a fraud TO
induce them to return to college"
Upon this Mr. Bell observes, that
part of this statement, which we have
placed in black letter is a gross and in
excusable violation of the truth, and
every student at Delaware College
knows it TO be such, including the edi-
tor of the Review. There was no pos
sible chance of a misunderstanding OF
the conditions under which the stu
dents returned to their class duties, for
there were no conditions; their return
was absolutely unconditional, and It
was made plain to them, and repeated
over and over publicly, and in the
presence of all that, so far as the
faculty was concerned, the students
could be given no assurances of any
kind whatever" He then proceeds with
a lot Of coarse vituperation against the
students generally, and me. the editor
of the Review, in particular, which it
is unnecessary to quote.
If Mr. Bell merely means to say that
no one of the gentlemen addressing the
students meeting, or after the meeting,
, advising with them, assumed authority
Ito speak in the name of the faculty he
is correct enough. But, If he means 10
assert that the advice given was in IA
vor of unconditional submission, and
that no promise or assurance OF any
kind as to the faculty's action in case
OF a return by the students to theil
work, was given, he is simply stating
what is an absurdity upon its face and
E what would require for its acceptance
much more than a statement from Mr.
/, Bell.
He says. "all that was promised
them'-meaning the students-"wa'
that the parents would assist them il
getting a petition in behalf Of the sus.
D pended students before the faculty
and use what influence could bI
brought to bear in support of IL
favorable consideration"
II that was the extent of the assur
o ance given, the students must Law
been very easily gulled indeed. Anl
!. for that great favor from Mr. Bell an
the rest. the students were to lie dow
lin unconditional surrender. Rcall.
Mr.. Bell must himself see that such
statement needs for its acceptanc
much more than a bare statement fror
q IAN angry editor
What occurred. and II can be easil
proved by those present. and who hear
n what was said by the President OF tn
y Board Of Trustees and by Mr.. Bell an
Il Others among the parents, both in thei
It speeches and in their conversation al
IS ter the speeches, was, in substance,
d follows: That the speakers could nc
e absolutely guarantee that the susper
, lsions would be remitted by the facult,
IS but that. having been in consultauo
with the faculty. they had been ind
rectly given 10 understand that n
suspensions would be remitted, provi'
ne ed the rebelling students returned
ls their classes. The speakers, paruc'
os larly in their talk after the speakir
I'M was over. were very emphatic in Il
assurance that. II the students harl
ened to their advice and acted upon
by returning to their classes, the ST
he dents who had been suspended wou
an be recalled and the trouble would
III over. And l recollect very distinct
nd that Mr.. Bell was very prominent
iii talk Of this character. That he nc
denies it, only shows that be b