Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-04-21

At the time expressed extreme
| doubt as to the presidents compli-
ance with his part Of the agreement.
True to my expectations, In January
of this year, he again began his in
terference with the military depart
ment. | submitted my resignation
and wrote in connection herewith a
letter in which l set forth the fol-
lowing: "The reasons for my resig-
nations are on account of the presi-
| dents interference with matters Of
| discipline, setting aside the author
ity of the commandant, and ruthless
ly violating the proper and we'll es-
tablished methods in maintaining dis
| cipline in military system. His
promise of cooperation and non-in-
terference in the military department
has not been kept. simply state
that my self-respect will not permit
me to serve under him.
The chairman of the board of trus-
tees, upon receipt of this lntter, wrote
me asking that ! remain at the col
lege until the meeting Of the board.
Tn accordance with that letter | re-
manned, believing that the board at
its meeting in March would go to the
bottom of things.
| Personally l had no desire to con-
tinue the work as commandant on
account Of extreme arduousness of
the duties, bat felt that If the board
would honestly look into the condi-
tion of affairs at this institution,
good would be bound to result IL ac-
tion was taken in accordance with
the facts as 70 nd. When the sub
Ject came up before the board, ac-
cording to my information, a resolu-
tion was offered TO accept my resig-
nation. An amendment was offered
thereto, calling me before the board
to have me set forth the underlying
causes of my resignation. Strange to
say, the amendment could not be
adopted, l am at loss to know why
the board of trustees should object to
an honest investigation of such a Vi
tai matter as the discipline of Glenn
son. Understand that l do not COM
plain OF the acceptance Of my resig-
nation. / commend the board upon
It's direct and positive way of hand
ling my case.
| Nevertheless, what was the boards
clear duty with my letter before It
and also information that some of its
own members possessed as to the
real condition of affairs? What has
been the experience of the two for
mer commandants under Dr. Nell?
Here are Capt. Sirmyer's comments
taken from letter to me: "The
chances commandant would have
to put up fine showing in the mat
ter OF cadet regiment are too nu-
merous to mention, If the military
department. could only get the sup
port of the powers that be- But. in
my opinion, nothing can be done until
there is new president. Personally
! was very fond of DR.. Nell, but he
Is weak, and, thought, was too will
ing to sacrifice any one SO that he
could be popular with the boys, and
as far as ] can see his efforts had ex-
actly the opposite results
Capt. Clay's report is not at hand.
put | have read 1t and he complains
along the same lines.
am convinced OF the magnificent
opportunity for great work at Glenn
son, and realizing that | owe much
to the State, which / have called nv
own since | was six years of age, and
In which / have spent great many
years, ] make the foregoing state
ment, based upon my experience and
observation at Clemson, and with a
view that the information may prove
or some value to the people in their
| p''ituuS to"dluS tHe COllGRG.
| j. G.. Minus.
Captain U. S. Army, Retired.
April II, 1909.
DIR. Nell Replies to Capt. Minus.
Clemson College, April 19.-Dr.
Nell, president of Clemson College,
to-day made the following state
ment.
81 decline to enter into a news
paper controversy with the retiring
commandant on the administration
OF affairs at Clemson for the follow.
| ing reasons:
First. The issues he raises be-
long entirely to the jurisdiction of
the board Of trustees. This body
has recently considered these affairs
and nave announced their decision.
Second. The war department,
through its inspector, Capt Lenahen,
made, on April and z, thorough
and searching examination of the
military department Of the college
and the relationship of the president
to the commandant, and this officer
expressed to me his entire satisfac-
ton with the affairs and stated that
he would SO report to the chief-of-
staff Gen. Bell. AS proof that he
did so, Capt. Marcus b. Stokes has
been appointed to succeed Capt. Mi
nus at once.
Third. Since Capt Minus's res
ignation last January the discipline
OF the college has been well sustain
ed by the acting commandant, Prof.
Andrew Bramlett. and the conduct of
the cadets has been exemplary.
"P. II. Nell, President"
Mann Not Ready to Talk.