Arizona silver belt., 1903-06-11
A Bad State Of Affairs

Another TOW nus Dttu pTeCiHitdteu among the regents, faculty and stu dents of the university at Tucson by the alleged summary action of the board of regents in having dismissed two of the professors, Messrs. Smith and Patton, over the protest of Prest. F. Yale Adams, in consequence of which President Adams rendered his resignation. The incident appears to have aroused a great deal of feeling in the old pueblo, if we may judge from the comment of the Citizen and Star, which have, as was to be expected, ta- ken opposite sides in the controversy, the Star approving the regents action, while the Citizen supports the conten- ton of President Adams, who appears to also have the sympathy of the stu dents and majority of the people of Tucson.
 The difficulty seems to be revival
 
 of the quarrel engendered two years ago by the removal, under serious charges, of President Parker, who was warmly defended by l.. c. Hughes, proprietor of the Star, who is involved in the present dispute for the further reason that his son in-law, Mir. Wood ward, holds position in the university faculty and seeks promotion.
 The details of the quarrel which have found their way into print indicate chaotic condition n the affairs of the university which threatens to destroy what little usefulness that institution can lay claim to. It has been evident for many years that the position of re gent of the university has been re- garded as a political sInecure, and it is alleged in the Citizen that they regard the professorships as their patronage, which is used to reward friends, with little regard to their competency.
 The chancellor of the university, Ferris M. Fitch, comes in for good deal of censure, and his connection with the institution derives greater i'm. portance from the fact that he was ap- pointed at the request of President Roosevelt
 One who is said to be familiar with university affairs is quoted by the Citi. zen as saying
 "Ihe president first wrote to N O. Murphy when he was governor and asked as a special favor that Fitch be made president Murphy resented the presidents interference with the affairs of the university and joined with Chan. cellor Herring and the old regents in electing Adams president. When Bro- die became governor the Roose welt wires were working again, but Adams could Lot be disposed of easily, and Fitch was made chancellor with the expectation that when he could get rid of Adams he could succeed hlm as preg- ident, Then the petty annoyance with President Adams began and as a self respecting man he was compelled to resign"
 Mir Fitch is from Michigan and has charge of mining property near Tue. son. He is politician, and was a democrat until 1896, when he went over to the republicans.
 President Adams deserves great deal of credit for bis work in behalf of the university. He accepted the pres idency at time when the institution was in very bad repute and by his earnest and intelligent efforts he sue ceeded in overcoming the prevailing distrust and restoring large measure of public confidence in the university.
 It is to be hoped that Governor Bro. dle, upon his return from the east, will institute thorough investigation of the affairs of the university that the disturbing influences may be removed and harmony restored.
 The University of Arizona will never be of any account until it has been completely divorced from politics, and all appointments are made on merit.