The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-07-22
PRESIDENT HARDY
EXONERATED.
TRUSTEES REPORT ON THE A. & N.
COLLEGE TROUBLES.
They Found the Various Charges A
gainst President Hardy Not Sus-
tanned and Continue Him
IN Charge.

s~sses~ee s@A1sH &NtttsAAs%$ ssAhAs
IN Charge.
The trustees Of the A. e M.
College gave to the press Monday
the following statement concern
| ing their late investigation Of Col
llege matters:
To the People of Mississippi:
The board Of trustees Of the
Mississippi Agricultural and Me-
chaniGal College, realizing the
lgreat injustice done 10 the institu-
ltion and President Hardy through
the fight upon him both from
within and without the college.
feel that some statement from
them is pertinent that its presi
dent may be set right in the esti-
lmation of the people. Although
at the last meeting of the board
suspension of judgment was asked
from the people until the findings
lin the WeIborn charges against
the president could be made and
1.-THE faculty investigation complet-
led, certain papers in the State did
mot respect that request, and the
president, board of trustees and
Ethe institution were subjected to
constant and malicious attacks.
The result has been that only one
Iside Of the college trouble has
been presented and it has been so
grossly misrepresented and mag
lnified, that The board feels that
the people of the State should
have the facts Of the case. To be-
lgin with, let it be understood that
1.-The board of trustees is composed
Of fourteen representative citizens
from every section of the State.
10 the appointment. they repre-
lsent both the administrations of
Governor Vardaman and Govern
Or Noel, and represent various
professions and vocations.
In response to the request of
President Hardy, and the request
as was made in the faculty res0lu-
tions, they assembled at the col
lege On Wednesday, July Is, and
re'nained in session until the fol-
lowing Sunday, being at their
post working from s o'clock at
night. Every department of the
institution and every faculty mem
Der and attache numbering sixty
odd was carefully examined with
| a view of detecting any friction
or disatfection within the depart
ments Of the college, and for es-
tablishing the exact relations
which the members Of the faculty
and those concerned with the col
lege bore towards tlle president.
After full and absolutely fair
and impartial investigation
towards all concerned, the board
| by vote of 10 to 4, voted to re-
tain Mr.. Hardy as president of
the institution every member of
| the board being present and vot-
ing and the four members whose
votes were recorded against him
pledged him their loyal support in
| his future administration.
The investigation developed
that there had heen serious fric-
tion and trouble in the agricultur-
al department and the trustees
located the cause Of the trouble
and will take the necessary steps
to secure harmony, aud the best
possible results ID this and all
other departments.
The investigation was attend
led by the best results from every
standpoint. 1t gave the trustees
Ia larger grasp on the Institution
| in all Of its departments and gave
Them a familiarity Of details which
will enable them more successful
Fly than ever TO administer the
IaHairs OF the Institution and
bring il nearer than ever to a real
Iization Of The great purpose for
(which it was established. 1t serv-
led to clear up IN a large measure
the disaffection and strife within
| the u0llege, and to establish rela-
Itions Of support and sympathy
with the president and faculty and
teaching force, and an opportunity
10 reconcile all of their reports
land rumors and inferences and
misap apprehensions which resulted
lin tie unfortunate conditions
1hicl caused this investigation.
For the number Of faithful men
who have served the college as
members Of it's faculty and teach
ling force for SO many years,
whose relations with the president
Ewere strained, the trustees prefer
lred TO take no radical action; be-
lIieVing that their confidence In the
president bad been and would be-
speedily restored and that all
would work In absolute harmony
land sympathy ii the future for
1.-THE good of the school.
The trustees further believe
THAT If there were among these
gentlemen any Of whom loss of
contdence in the president has
raached the point where they
could not support bis policy and
work in sympathy with his admin
|istration, realizing the sense of
1.-The situation would prompt them
lspeediIy TO resign. 1t IS Crafty
ling 70 report already expressions
of fealty from The best and strong
est men of tha college. whose anps
port and Go operation will ba ex