The DeLand weekly news. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1887-190?, 1903-04-10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Just a Few
TerSe Facts

ooOOOooOOoO 90 OoooOoOOO0OO
T Is impossible to reply to the many mis-
u representations and falsehoods circu-
lated through the press and otherwise, but
there are some facts that cannot be ignored
by unprejudicsd, thinking people.
1t is fact that early In the beginning OF
this trouble, when there was no scandal
| abroad, Mr.. Stetson's attorneys searched tbs
country over hunting something that they
| could use to backen the character OF Dr.
Forbes. They took special pains 70 give their
so-called testimony to all who would read It,
though ut the subsequent investiy cation much
OF 1t was proven untrue and entirely over
thrown BY oral personal testimony. Mir. Stet-
| son does not claim that he was hunting facts
10 bring before the Board OF Trustees In an
honest investigation, but that he was prepar-
ing for defence in case OF prosecu ton. Ihe
question naturally arises II Mr. stetson had
done nothing but his simple duty IN this Case,
why did he fear prosecution? :" ,
1t is an unheard-of proposition for an attor-
ney 70 publish his testimony to the world be-
fore going into court.
1t is q fact that Mr.. StetsOn demanded tn,
resignation Of DR.. Forbes and was takinL
steps to secure hissuccessor before consulting
with the Board OF Trustees, or even with tn,
Executive Com mittee, and, in fact, the mat
ter was not brought to their attention until
1t was done by Dr. Forbes.
1t IL fact that ut the meeting called by DR..
Forbes for the 18th OF september, after u
most searching investigation by the entire
Board Of all ruinors affecting the character Of
DR.. Forbes, the resolutions exonerating him
were announced adopted, not q sentiment
being uttered or u vote cast to the contrary.
1t is q fact that the University opened on
the LIST Of October With the largest enrolment
in it's history, and has maintained this large
attendance throughout the year; having u
total enrolment larger than any other year in
its history, and larger number actually pres
ent now than any other spring term.
1t 10 fact that In the month Of January,
while the school was thus prosperous, Just
before the annual meeting Of the Board Of
Trustees, Mr.. Stetson gave out bis much
talked-of interview to the Philadelphia North
American, in which he cast reflection upon
DR.. Forbes and the Board Of Trustees. At
about the same time his attorney was put IN
Jail in Tampa and gave out a slanderous In
terview to the public press. Not satisfied with
this he proceeded to publish and scatter
broadcast over the land an Infamous pam
phlet purporaing to be testimony in the. case,
and even went 30 far as to place this pamphlet
in the hands Of students, and by every means
possible attempted to break up the school,
Then Mr.. Stetson and his friends came before
the Board at its annual meeting in February
and demanded that because Of the wide CIR
culation Of this scandal DR.. Forbes should be
removed as q matter OF expediency, stating
that the question Of guilt or innocence was
not involved
It is fact, that II any other member of the
Board of Trustees had pursued the course
that Mr.. Stetson has in this matter, he would
have been promptly expelled from member
ship in the Board, and such action would have
been applauded all over the land. The board
Of Trustees, appreciating what Mr.. Stetson
had done for the University in the past, has
not even 30 much as censured him, yet they
are accused Of treating him very unjustly.