The Semi-weekly leader., 1908-08-19
DISCUSSION OF THE A. &M. COLLEGE
TROUBLES.

Inc Leader mas not fllCnert0 IN
duIged in any editorial discussion
or extended comment on the adj
ministration of the Mississippi
| Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege; there has already been too
much sensational, reckless and
Ispiteful agitation of the subject
flor the best interests of the Col
llege and the State; but as it is the
avowed intention of the three de-
posed members of the faculty and
their partisans to perpetuate this
agitation, regardless of its effects
on the welfare of the College, until
they have forced the resignation of
President Hardy, The Leader deems
it appropriate to state some facts
and conclusions in connection with
this subject which it deems worthy
of consideration and weight by
all citizens of the State who wish
to arrive at an honest and just es-
innate of the controversy.
President Hardy has been at the
head of the institution about
years. During his administration
the annual enrolment of students
has increased from $50 to 1000.
The members of the faculty and
regular employees of the institu-
tion have increased from 30 to 81.
The value of the College property
has increased in value from $780,
600 to about 81, 900, 900. Until last
winter, when President Hardy dis
missed a student and the senior
class went on a strike and this was
followed by the dismissal of three
members of the faculty in open
sympathy with the insubordinate
students, there was never during
his eight years administration any
serious disorder or trouble in the
College.
This disturbance occurred just
before Gov. Vardaman's term ex-
pired and Gov. Vardaman and the
A. & M. Board of Trustees, de-
cided majority of whom were Gov,
Vardaman's own appointees, re-
viewed the action of the president,
harmonized the discord between
him and the students and upheld
his action in dismissing the three
members of the faculty. one of
whom was Capt. Ira C.. Welborn,
the military commandant. The
dismissed and discordant members
of the faculty then went into print
to air their alleged grievances
against President Hardy and his
administration and appealed to the
Legislature, which had just then
fairly organized, to review the ac-
tion of Gov. Vardaman and his
Board of Trustee and reverse their
action. The Legislature, rightly
taking the view that the Board of
Trustees had full jurisdiction of all
matters in controversy and were
amply able and willing to settle all
questions on their merits, declined
to investigate or reopen the case.
Capt. Welborn, the now recogniz-
ed leader of the insurrectionists,
still persisting in airing his alleged
grievances and the mal-administra-
tion at the College in the public
prints, and refusing to acquiesce
in the adjudication reached by
Gov. Vardaman and his Board of
Trustees, Gov. Noel, having mean
while succeeded to the Governor S
Office, he officially called the atten-
tion of the United States War De-
partment to Capt. Welborn's con-
duct. The War Department then
sent its representative, Inspector
General Darlington, to Starkville
to investigate Capt. Welborn' S con-
duct in connection with the Col
Ilege, and after making his investi-
Igation, General Darlington, like
Vardaman and his Board of Trus-
tees, endorsed President Hardy in
dismissing him as College Com
lmandant.
Since the College vacation began,
at the request Of President Hardy
and the disgruntled members of the
faculty dismissed by him, the Col
Ilege Board of Trustees, presided
over by Gov. Noel (the only change
lin the personnel Of the Board being
4
Gov. Noel and two new mem
Ibers appointed by him. have held
two protracted sessions, extending
lin all through seven or eight days,
and gone into thorough investiga-
ltion Of all college matters and all
charges preferred by anyone, in
lcluding a batch of II or Is new
Specific charges filed by Capt. Vel
born against the President. Their
\ l. n