The sun., 1908-06-03

VINO Sacrifices All TO Nero Bigness.
Prof. william Kent, dean Of the College
Of Applied Science OF Syracuse University.
fills nine pages Of the current number Of
Science with his views on DR.. James r.
Day, chancellor Of that institution. and
with certain letters that have passed be-
tween them. DR.. Day wrote to Dean Kent
on April II that the executive committee
and the chancellor were convinced that
Prof. Kent's usefulness in the university
had ceased and that bis connection with It
would be terminated with the close of the
present year. Tho reason given was that
1t was impossible to retain a dean who
cannot meet the chancellor Of the institu-
ton upon amicable and even confidential
terms and whom the chancellor cannot ad-
dress concerning the work OF his college
without being subject to the embarrassment
Of controversy and contention" The dean
was told that he might resign II he pre-
ferred to do 30.
Dean Kent wrote In reply asking that
charges be preferred against him and that
his defence might be heard by committee
of the trustees. He added:
III leave here at the end Of Ave years
hard service 1t is only fair that my efforts
CONNIE alton from the board Of trustees as
think they deserve, and that 1t should be made
clear that leave here not on account OF any
failure In my duty as dean or professor nor
for any lack Of ability as teacher or admins
traitor, but only on account Of the personal
| feeling Of the chancellor.
His request for an investigation was de-
MED and he was told that his resignation
or dismissal were the only alternatives.
His statement In Science was prepared at
the request OF the editor.
The dean says that the foundation for
the charges against him In DR.. Days letter
is OF the fiimsiest character. He can re-
mem Der only seven controversies he has
had with Dr. Day in his five years Of service.
He describes them and adds ..
On all OF these occasions could have met
him on amicable terms for friendly dis
cusson had not his dictatoEaal and dis
courteous manner made such q discussion
impossible.
He then gives description Of the chan;
cellor to explain how it is that athe head
of a great university can act as he has done. =
DR.. Day. he says, Is large man physically
and otherwise. He has magnificent voice,
power OF eloquenoe equal to that OF william
Jennings Bryan and q capacity for invective
| like that Of Senator Jef Davis.
POmpOuB IN carriage, III teHpci
| and often discourteous in manner, he par
alyzes the voice OF any one who has the temer-
| ity to differ In opinion with him. But to those
| who are willing to suppress their own opin-
| ions, to defer to him In everything, to say yes
| to everything that he says. even to take
| scolding In silence and humility. II he happens
| to be In q scolding mood. he is kindness itself.
| He has many good qualities he is generous to
| O fault to poor students In distress. enjoys
/ 0ood Ian oh nd n 0ood atOry. and therefore
| has many friends among those who have not
| had occasion to incur his dspleasure. 1t 10 q
| common saying that you can get along with
the hanccellor II you know how to take him. "
The knowing how" is to suppress ones indi-
viduality. never to offer ones own opinion.
to fatter his vanity. and never under any cir
cumstances to enter into controversy or
discussion with him.
| Dean Kent adds that DR.. Day comes to q
faculty meeting Of the college OF applied
science only once a year. but he presided
over the faculty Of liberal arts and Keeps
1t sin q proper state OF subservience and
stagnation. One member Of the faculty
opinion In the faculty meeting for fear
that he win be snubbed by the chancellor.
The duty Of the university senate Is never
to do anything but to vote yes on few
Kent. the chancellor 8 idea Of the university
10 that 1t consists of the chancellor. q board
Of trustees who provide funds and approve
Of the ohancellor's way Of spending them
large grounds. numerous large buildings
the largest stadium In the country, the
largest college gymnasium In the world
the largest college OF liberal arts In the
State, the most brawny athletes and the
greatest number Of Victories In inter
university athletic contests. Meanwhile
there is neglect Of the intellectual growth
of the university and shortsighted par
simony as to the teaching force"
Dean Kent says that when he suggested
that II would be well to have COMMITTEES
OF the trustees investigate the needs Of the
college the chancellor said: sNo. am the
committee The dean adds that Or. Day
is in fact the COMMITTEES. for though ther.
are sixty trustees not one Of them In five
years has visited the college TO inquire into
Its needs. methods or efficiency as an en-.
cheering college nor has the dean ever
been called upon to make o report as to iti
condition. The trustees have no intercourse
whatever with the faculties. have no com
mittees on the colleges, nor even on build
ings and grounds. They leave everything
to the ohanoellor's autocracy. He is allowed
to do as he pleaees and tho board agrees
to all his recommendations 1even TO mort
gaging the university for $400. 200 to obtain
funds to build the largest college gymnasium
In the world. The chancellor has thus un
checked power. which always tends u
tyranny. The chancellor has become q
Gar" ...
Dean Kent before he went to syraouss
University was ooneulting engineer anc
writer on topics relating TO his profession