The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-27
DR.. NELL SHOULD RESIGN.
Trustee Mann Upholds Capt. Minus
In His Course State
ments of the President.

To the Editor Of The News and
Courier: Capt. Minus, in Mondays
issue of The News and Courier, made
charges against DR.. Nell, president
of Clemson College, for interfering
with the discipline of the institution,
which caused him to resign his posi-
ton as oommandant Of Clemson Col
lege. Now, are these charges true or
false? DR.. Nell in his reply did not
deny the allegations, and why not?
He says: ''I decline to enter into
newspaper controversy with the re-
tiring commandant on the administra-
! tion of affairs at Clemson College for
the following reasons: First, the is
sues he raises belong entirely to the
board Of trustees. The body has re-
Gently considered these affairs, and
have announced their decision.' I
do not think Dr. Nell can establish
!: this fact or prove this statement.
The board only considered Capt.
Minus resignation and not the
charges, as DR.. Nell would have the
public believe. And we accepted it
with the understanding that on ac-
count of the continued interference
of DR.. Nell with the discipline Of the
College that Capt. Minus could not
and would not submit to such treat
ment longer by DR.. Nell. This was
not the first time that Capt. Minus
had complained to the board of trus-
tees. As many as three times Capt.
Minus had stated to the board that
DR.. Nell was interfering with the dis
cipline of the College, and if he did
not stop meddling where he had no
business he would have to resign
through self-respect.
DR.. Nell promised twice to quit
meddling with Capt. Minus depart
ment, and if he had kept his prom
ise We would have had none of this
trouble and unpleasantness which IS
now threatening to tear up the Col
lege. Capt. Minus has made the same
charges all the time, interference on
, DR.. Mell's part with the military
department Of the College. AS I re-
member the interview with DR.. Nell
in regard to his meddling with the
military part Of the College, he did
not deny any Of Capt. Minus charges
but simply tried to justify his course
in meddling with Capt. Minus de-
partment on the ground that he was
head of the institution. That is to
say, there was no appeal from his de-
cision or action. In a word, he was
supreme, and that no man could act
contrary to his notion of things with
out his changing the order, although
the commandant had made it. DR..
Nell is very much mistaken, if he de-
clines to answer Capt. Minus charges
and tries to dodge the issue by try
ing to lay it on the board of trustees.
This is simply begging the question,
Doctor; say the charges are all true
or false. If false, say so; and let the
burden of proof rest on Minus.
AS DR.. Nell is trying to make it
appear to the general public, for
one will resent it and say DR.. Mell's
explanation does not explain. I be-
lieve in fairness, equal rights to all
men and special privileges to none.
Some Of us wanted an investigation,
but from what I could see when the
charges were made DR.. Nell did not
want an investigation, and in my
judgment he is not anxious for it to-
day. No man who is innocent is afraid
of an investigation. Had I been in DR..
Mell's place all the board could not
have prevented it, on the condition
if it was not granted, they would
have to accept my resignation, and
not tried to dodge the issue by lay
ing the blame on the board Of trus-
tees, by saying they had investigated
the administration when they had not.
And no one knew this better than
DR.. Nell. and Capt. Minus has done
thu only thing a gentleman could do
under existing conditions.
I ask the public to hear what Com
mandants Sirmeyer and Clay have
said, or have to say, on this point. Did
they not have the same charges, and
make them to DR.. Nell? and was not
this interference on DR.. Mell's part
the cause of both Of them leaving
Clemson College? What further evl-
dence, gentlemen, will the public de-
mand? We have the combined evl- !
of +1,roo ,coo1 fro,o III 1yav de- !,