The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-01-04
THINGS COMING TO LIGHT
Pierre Correspondent Takes Hand
in the Game

III Tue Uamc
Special to the Minneapolis Journal:
Pierre, s. D., Dec. 20. I'm this state,
at the present time, the principal sub
ject OF discussion in political circles is
the action OF the regents of education
in the appointment OF presidents for
the several educational institutions of
the state.
1t will be remembered that early in
January, 1905, the regents made sew
eral changes, notably the removal, by
requesting the resignation, ofthe pres
ident of the Northern Normal and In
dustrial school at Aberdeen, and DR..
Droppers, the president of the univer-
sity at Vermillion; the transfer of DR..
Chalmers, president OF the Agricultur-
al college to president of the univer-
sity at Vermillion. A few days ago
the public was very much surprised to
learn that the regents had been invest
igating charges against DR.. Chalmers,
and decided that they were OF such a
nature that they could not retain him,
and hence asked for his resignation.
No charges or complaints were ever
made against the president of the
Aberdeen Normal school, nor have the
regents ever given any reason for the
removal. The charges which had
been made against DR.. Droppers had
been fully Investigated by the board
OF regents and the doctor fully exone-
rated.
There is an important part OF the
history Of this transaction that has
never been published. DR.. j. w.
Heston was for many years president
of the Brookings college. He was re-
moved about two and half years ago
and DIR. Chalmers appointed in his
place. DR.. Heston and his friends
have always claimed that he was un-
justly used and was removed for poll
tical reasons. In May, 1904, he had
printed large number of copies of a
letter which he had addressed to one
of his former students. In this letter
he said:
HESTON'S OPEN CHARGE
If the people knew the true condition
of the college they would surely cor
rect the evils there at no distant day.
1t is not true that the college is pros
pering. 1t is fast declining in power
and usefulness. The attendance is less
than half as great as when Governor
Herried began his fight on me. At
the rate we had increased for the six
years just prior to this the college
should now have over 900 students.
1t has not a third of this number; in
fact, at the present time there are not
25O students in attendance. There is
| anything but harmony in the faculty,
and there is gross incOmpetency there
in few departments. All of this is
unfortunate, but cannot be corrected
under the present administration.
As to the change in the presidency.
This is explained in few words, per-
haps none more fitting than these
gubernatOrial revenge.
1t became necessary for me to de-
mand the removal OF Mr.. Chilcott,
and he happened to be able to secure
the protection and assistance Of his
old political friend, the governor of
the state. When his excellency made
enough appointments to control the
board, his appointees speedily dis
posed of me and retained Mr.. Chilcott.
For some reason, after having the
letters printed, he did not give them
general circulation, only sending out
few copies to personal friends and
and former students of the college.
Again in December, 1904, he made
arrangements for printing large
number of copies of letter written by
! him to another OF his former students.
In this letter he gave the inside story
OF the college troubles from his stand
point. He said the school was badly
demoralized when he took hold and a
disgrace to the state. The. attendance
was run down and public confidence
destroyed. The faculty was made up
of two hostile camps. He sought to
work some better condition out and
was just getting things in better shape
when the new state administration
came in and the sold political ma
chine" in the faculty was reorganized.
Since then, he declared, the machine
had been in full control of the insti-
tuition. manipulating the board Of
regents. The letter then says:
REGENTS IGNORED PRESIDENT
Your idea that might have secured
changes in the faculty is all wrong.
The present board of regents never
paid any attention to my recommen-
dations about employees. Men were
elected and given prominent places in
the faculty whose existence did not