The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-04
REPLY OF vENABLE
On Inviting Mr.. Bryan to
Speak at the Hill.
u Have Made No Public Utterance on
the Subject He Says in Be-
ginning His Statement to
this Paper.

created something of a sensation by the
publication of the followng
News was received in the city today
from a thoroughly reliable source that
President F. p Venable, of the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has
refused absolutely to invite William Jen
nings Bryan to address the two literary
societies of the University after having
been requested to do so by the literary
societies.
president Venable not only refused
to invite Mr. Bryan to. speak at Chapel
Hill, but stated he did not want Bryan
there, and if he came he positively would
rot go to hear him speak.
Notwithstanding the enmity of the
president to Mr.. Bryan, it is said on good
authority that the two literary societies
of the University have sent a fiattaring
Invitation to Mr.. Bryan to go there when
he comes to Raleigh to deliver an address
before the students of the A. and M
College.
THE concansus of opinion on the Hill
is that President Venable acted narrow
mindedly in regard to the matter, and Ct
fered an uncalled-for slight to the great
and famous American orator, and great
many among the student body are very
Indignant about the affair. 1t is said
nearly all the students earnestly hope
that the brillinat speaker will appear be-
fore the societies at Chapel Hill.
PRESIDENT VENABLE INTERVIEWED
president Venable was interviewed
by the Times reporter over the teIepbone
this afternoon and after being informed OF
the report was asked to make a state
ment. He would not deny the report
which had been widely circulated, and
die not request that the matter remain
unpublished.
President Venable said he had received
no committee, and no committee IRON
the literary societies had appeared before
him. He said the report must have come
from some persons with whom ne had
held conversations, and that he thought
they were his private property.
ASKED for a statement about the mat
tel. President Venable declined, saying
that he desired to make no statement
to the public.
LACKS LIBERALITY.
Speaking about the report a promi-
nent citizen of this city said:
Il cannot conceive of more narrow
and dwafcd view and am astonished
at the attitude OF Pre- sident Fenable.
A man oce upying rhe prominent posi-
ton which he does should have a
broader and more liberal view. 1t is
true that numbers do not agree with
Mr. Bryan in his ultra political views,
yet Notwithstanding this, the Nebras-
kan is gifted man. great man and a
matchless orator. His bitt2reSU polltl-
cal foes give him credit for honesty
and integrity and admire his brilliant
attainment and accord to him honor
He has not only been honored at home.
but no American has ever been &C
corded more distinguished reception
abroad than Mr.. Bryan on his recent
tour of Europe. Potentates who held
widely different political views received
him and treated him with distinguished
courtesy / sincerely trust that II Dr.
Venab:e has taken this position he VIII
recedc from it,.
The News and Observer yesterday after
Eccn sent the following telegram 20 Pres
ident vcnable:
Raleigh, N c., Feb. 3.
Or. +. p. Venablc, Chapel Hill, n. c.
Afternoon paper prints that you OPP
pcsed inviting Bryan to Chapel HUI Same
story has been telegraphcd to papers oil
yer United States. Important that you
wire Us statement giving your position.
Will send out by Associated Press.
NEWS AND OBSERVER.
The following is the answer sent by
President Venabe last night:
At an early hour last night President
ycnable wired the following reply
CHAPEL Hill, n. c., Feb. 3
Il have made no public utterance what.
even on the subject No committee OF
literary societies ever saw me. | told
one student it was bad policy Tor the
University to invite any prominent polite
iau or candidate in election year, but thai
would not oppose their invitation. Al
the same time 1 would not sign it. The
invitation went from the literary socie-
ties and not from the president OF the
University. My private opinions have
nothing to do with the matter.
IF. P VENABLE.'
oao IN Thousand UparS there