Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06
The Paths Of Peace.

silence The president reflected moment,
then spoke:
This whole matter is, I confess, per-
picking to me for various reasons. Mr.
the captain-regards it more seriously than
had prepared to expect. He has indeed
referred to his duties, in conversation with
me, in a way to make me suppose that he
considers that we are bound to require our
students to attend these drills whether they
like it or not. Am I-not right?'
Fame again arose. That is certainly my
view, sir. 1t is what L should call an i'm
piled contract. The government agrees to
give the college what amounts to SO much
money-in this case what amounts to one
ll1th the total annual income-in conSidera-
ton OF its, in turn, maintain instruction in
military tactics and discipline If the
question be left to the students whether
they shall or shall not receive instruction,
they probably would decide they should
not, in case, as l look at it, the only duty
left to me to perform would be to promptly
inform the War Department of the decision
and await further orders. Failing to comply
with your share of the compact would en-
tail, in my opinion, forfeiture of the gov
ment bounty"
How is that, Prof Beerbohm?" asked
the president abruptly
A tall. bearded spectacled man found his
rect and his tongue at the same instant. He
looked straight a Fame, not at the chair
and he spoke with austerity and decision
IF this question is new here" said he
lit is not so a the University of Fredonia
as | happen to know. Three years ago the
officer sent to us there started in with the
same proposition. but had to drop it. Drills
We're dispensed with entirelyr
Then the professor sat down, and the ST
lence was intense.
Fame presently arose May ask" said
he, addressing the chair, whether the drills
were dispensed with by War Department
or university authority?"
Il don't know anything about that"
| answered the president, but Prof. Beer
bohm knows whereof he speaks. What
has been decided there may well apply to
us here
Fame slid his hand into the breast pocket
| of his blouse and drew forth a small mem
orandum book.
| bohm," said he slowly, lis certainly valu-
able, though possibly not in the way in
tended. The professor cannot be mis-
| taken?" he asked, this time addressing that
gentleman. The drills were entirely dis
pensed with?'
Entirely. and nearly two years ago.
And the income from the sale of public
lands-that also was-dispensed with?"
Not at all, That was never contem-
! plated"
"Persaps not" said Fame. II fancy,
however that we shall hear further as to
that" and, resuming his seat he began to
write. He desired to record the exact
words of Prof. Beerbohm while the matter
was still fresh in his mind, and Prof. Beer
bohm, noting it, flushed uneasily.
What, l said" he began again, and with
out TlSlHS, was purely LOT the lHIOrUld-
ton of the members here present. 1 have
no desire to appear as an informant
against the University of Fredonia."
What the gentleman said" responded
Fame, rising and addressing the chair,
was plainly for the purpose of influencing
this body-impressng it with the idea that
this institution may dispense with military
instruction without violating an implied
contract. If the gentleman is right, then l
am all wrong, and my mission here Is
ended
This was indeed a new and hitherto I'M
dreamed of state of affairs. Fane's imme-
date predecessor as drill instructor had
been but brief time in the army had
much preferred the arts of peace, had
gradually worked into another department
and finally into a different sphere. Just as
gradually he had gone up in collegiate
circles the military department had gone
down. "A necessary evil the president
had called 1t the previous year. Now, II
BeerbOhm were right 1t was not even
necessary, 1t was an unmitigated evil. If
the department were an evil, then were the
students warranted in their stand against
it; then was Stetson a martyr, and Fame
a martinez. To press the question then and
there would have resulted in Fane's defeat
as Sharpe and Lorimer saw. and just as
the professor of elocution arose to his feet
and began with the customary 1T seems
to me there is much yet to be said on both
sides" the president impatiently broke in:
And it should be said only by those who
know something about it! Prof. Beerbohm
Is confident of his position: Mr-er-Capt.
Fame is confident of his Until we can set
tie this question we cannot settle that of
Stetson. The entire matter is therefore
laid over until next meeting, and this is
adjourned" 1t was the presidents way
and will, and the faculty long had bowed
to both
But Prof BeeTbohm came to Fame at the
foot of the stairs:
81 hope you appreciate my positiOn-er-
captain. and that l am not to be quoted
in this matter" said he, especially if any
injury may be done Fredonia."
You spoke publicly Prof. Beerbohm,"
was the uncompromising reply. Il shall
not give your name unless called for, but
your words go to Washington tonight"
Go be continued tomorrow