The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-07


 disturbed, and remarked that she had just been standing an examination in chemistry under Professor Persons and knew she had failed because he told the class upon entering the room that "prepa- ration for his examinations was necessary for they were no snaps" I replied to him. MT. President. I presume l have frequently made such a remark and sec nothing Inappropriate in it." From another party to whom the president had confded this incident of 'temperamental unftness.' I learned the name of the lady to whom he referred, and wrote her requesting that she express her opinion of me as teacher and as a man. and this is her reply: SWhile at the UTniver- sty of Alabama I took a two years course in chemistry under Professor Per- sons This course was thorough and l beneficial. l consider Professor Persons d most excellent instructor and man worthy of confidence and respect"
 Resuming, the president Informed me that I didn't travel around attending 1 conventions to advertise myself with a view to getting away from .here." I re- :, piled that when I came to the university 10 years ago it was my impression that l the trustees brought me to teach and that l had been earnestly endeavoring to i discharge that duty to the best of my
 
 that if l trayeled over the country for personal advertisement, being the only professor in the department. it would | mean that recitations would suspend as a result of each absence "I fancy" said l.
 that the board of trustees would have l just cause for grievance if I kept up such a programme. very long" I in- formed the president that I had never had desire to leave the university hx- oEl e4,,1 os.t L.. I finally attained the chair of chemistry n the university of my native state-that l had felt that the acme of my pro- fessional ambition would be satisfied by remaining here and being an humble fac- l tor in the further development of the ] institution, etc.
 Finally he remarked:y You can teach the little course in chemistry you learned at Auburn 20 years ago, but we want an up-to-date, course" I replied: MT. Pres ident, you are not familiar with college courses in chemistry, and are therefore in : competent to eritcse the course offered ty me nor have you ever heard me teach !? Said l: q left Auburn 20 years ago, and Tor l9 years since then 1 have been at the head of college departments of chem i istry Six of those years were spent as the head of the department of chemistry in what is now the University of Flor ida. Upon being elected to my present position 1 resigned the Florida char to accept similar one in this university, where 1 have been for the past 10 years As result of study and experience 1 think have learned something during thes 20 years. 1 have always purchased the best books, as issued, along the lines of my speciality l have subscribed for the leading current chemical journals. have attended several sessions of the University of Chicago. As opportunity offered I have attended the annual ses- sions of chemical associations, and have been engaged in scientific discussions with prominent chemists in assoclation deliber- ations." I told him that I came to my present position with the inducements Of some 25 leading American chemists. Such men as Dr. H. w. Wiley of Washington and some six or seven who have been presidents of the National Association Of Official Chemists, etc. But it was the same old story: None are so blind as those who refuse to see." I modestly n- Vited him to consider his own position of 20 years ago, and contrast his environ ments of those times with the position he was at present occupying. Now, said 1, If you have developed so in 20 years please allow me the privilege of growing just a little too"
 Now, as regards my courses in chem istry. Mir President" I continued, q aHl enlplOylnB the same texts III general chemistry that are used in the Johns Hopkins university. These books were written by President Remsen, who is also the head of the department of chemistry In that institution; they are not only in use in the Hopkins, but are employed as texts in probably three =fourths of the leading American institutions; not only is this true but they, or abridgements of them, have been translated into a number f,f Ia taxt books in the schools of France, Germany Italy, Spain and other foreign countries; half as many copies of them are sold m England in the United States-this Is a compliment never before accorded an american author of text book" Now" saiu l, If l am 20 years behind, MT. Pres ident, so are they" l stated to him that l was using in my junior and senior classes books written by professors in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, employed by them In their classes in that institution and that they were likewise used in many leading American colleges and universities l said to him that any one conversant with college courses in chemistry knew that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology possessed one of the very best combination schools of the. cTetlcal and practical chemistry to be found in this country. Now said l, If am 20 years behind, so are they" finally invited him to produce student who had studied under me during the 10 years of my official tenure here who would speak disparagingly of my work, or to point to an institution in the country, with the same numerical teaching force, where more chemistry Is offered.
 He then asked me what l proposed to do? He advised me to keep quiet, be- cause, said, he, publicity would surely hurt you;' and he continued, If you keep perfectly quiet I may decide to change my mind though I can conceive of no situation that will cause me to do so, still" said he, If you keep perfectly quiet l may do so at the last moment. He then said q warn you that if you attempt to bring the slightest pressure to bear upon me your fate is sealed" l replied to him: MT. President I am perfectly confident that I have faithfully and efficiently discharged every duty de- volving upon me during the 10 years have been a professor Tn this university. My record is an open book. l am not afraid for the facts to be known, and since you are the official means of com munication between me and this board of trustees. I notify you now that I desire d hearing before that body" His reply was. You will not get it or, at least don't think you will.'' I then said: MT. President, perhaps not, but I shall exhaust every honorable means to be heard-I am determined that the trustees shall know the facts in this case before they act" He then reminded me of the fate of two venerable professors, for, nerly connected with the university who had been displaced at his dictation, and inquired if I knew of the result of the attempt made by them to be reinstated