The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-15

cuieu a. IOrm1uaDle array OF afhdaVltS
and signed statements. Their general
mers had run himself. out at the Platte
vile normal school and had come under
the severe displeasure Of the authorities
of the University Of Ohio for making
claims about himself which were found
to be incorrect. '53 rs
This evidence was laid before the
regents, who summon ed DR.. Chalmers to
the meeting at Sioux Falls and re-
quested him, to resign.
That ended the Chalmers episode. He is
succeeded at BroOkings by Professor
5lagle Of the School of Mines at Rapid
City, who was already slated to 90 in
Jan. l, but the the state university prob
lem is not SO easily solved. !. .1
/: People with President Dtoppers.
The people Of sVermillioon, the great
mass OF them, are with President Drop
pers, and are indignant over the treat
ment he has received. FThey believe IN
him firmly, and are satisfied that the
whole matter has sprung from the per-
sonal feeling of two, local business men,
the financial heavyweigths Of the town.
who had been used to running the uni
yersity before the advent Of President
Droppers, and resented his independ-
ence. They determined to GUST him, and
finally applied their political pull with
the state machine, and the word was
given to the regents that Droppers
must go. The regents, tho personally
take such action, finally called for, the
resignation. sGs5
The story. is long one, and will not
| bear telling in detail, but the fight on
President troopers can be traced d.
| rectly to D. NJ. Inman and Orville
Thompson, bankers and heads Of various
business concerns, the latter a son Of
one of the partners, is state committee
man for vermillion county. Mr.. In
man, who is democrat, but at the same
| time a power behind the throne in re-
| trustees Of the university and has
always been accustomed to take hand
in its affairs and felt some right to-
govern It.
The local gossip is that difference in
creed first led to a dislike for the presi-
dent on the part Of these gentlemen, and
this was intensified by his refusal to ac-
cept their dictation in the univers
ity Is management. One professor, who
was dismissed by the regents on proof
Of gross misconduct, submitted by
ence Of Inman and Thompson, and they
tried to force his reinstatement, which
was refused, and the chasm yaWned
wider. The professor went, but to him
stories have since been traced of how
President Droppers was trying to or
ganize the university as an adjunct Of
/ the populist party, and other tales so
| foolish that no sensible person would
! give them credence.*
Campaign Against Droppers
!, ! MI =, s+or+n1
in all determination to GUST President
Droppers. A persistent press-bureau
campaign against him is now known to
have been connected with their move
II ment, Carl GundersOn, state senator
and their political follower, travelled
over the state to work up sentiment
against him and bring influence on Gov
ernor Herreid, which resulted in the
governor ordering the now famous in
yestigation Of June, 1903. e was con
Quoted by the regents, and every per-
son who had made complaint was sum-
moned as witness. Their charges fell
flat, and the regents found that moth
ing had been proved against President
Droppers and his conduct Of the insti-
tuition.
The most serious charges were that
he was not habitual church-goer; that
he was a pessimist, and that he had
U0cIl seen To SulOh0 SCAS dis sOI u16 W.
randa. With the fasco which the inves-
tigation proved to be, it was supposed
that President Droppers position was
secure; but Inman and Thompson kept
right on, and thru various avenues
the influence Of men high in the. state
organization was brought to bear on
the regents. After Governor Elrod Z
election last year, he visited Vermillion
and was entertained and talked to BY
the presidents enemies. s Si
Requested His resignation.
The governor 8 authority is strong
over the regents. and last January the
blow fell when the board met and re-
quested President Dropper's resigna
ton, fixing it to lake effect Jan. /
1905.
At this time February, 19O5) DR.
Chalmers was chosen as President Drop
pers successor. He had been an appi
cant for the position when president
Droppers was elected in 1899. Th,
same regents Of. education govern al
| The institutions of higher education
that are under state control, and q yea
and 8 half before asking for Presideni
Dropper1 resigns lion they elected pf