The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-04-28
HIS ANSWER
To The Long Letter of Capt.
Minus On Discipline
AT CLEMSON COLLEGE

Says He Will Not Enter Into
Newspaper Controversy With the
Ex-Commandant Regarding the
Latter's Charges Concerning the
administration Of Discipline.
Dr.. Nell, president Of Clemson Col
lege, Monday made the following
statement in reply to the statement
by Capt. Minus, printed in another
column:
ri decline to enter into news
paper controversy with the retiring
commandsnt 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 affair; I'D
have announced their decision.
Second The war department,
through its inspector, Capt. Lena
hen, made on April and a thor
ough and searching examination of
the military department Of the Col
lege and the relationship Of the
president to the commandant, and
this officer expressed to me his en-
tire satisfaction with the affairs and
stated that be would SO report to
the chief-of-staff, Gen. Bell. AS
proof that he did so, Capt. Marcus
B. Stokes has been appointed to sue
ceed Capt Minus at once.
''Third. Since Capt. Minus resig-
nation last January the discipline of
the College has been we'll sustained
by the acting commandant, Prof.
Andrew Bramlett, and the conduct
of the cadets has been exemplary.
"(sisned) P. H. NELL.
"President"
Statement by NJ. Donaldson.
Mr.. Donaldson, when seen at his
home in Greenville, made this state
ment:
Eyes, I have seen what Capt.
Minus had to say in the papers.
am sorry he saw fit to pursue that
course. don't think it will do any
good and I hope that it won't do
harm.
81 do not feel called upon to dis
cuss the rather uncomplimentary ref
erences made by Capt. Minus to the
president Of the College, the faculty
and the board Of trustees.
81 might add that to the student
body Capt. Minus proved himself a
good commandant and received moth
ing so far as I know from the board,
either collectively or individually
but words of praise, and I feel sure
that I voice the sentiment Of the
board when I say that we regretted
that he found grievances, whether
real or imaginary, sufficient to cause
his resignation.
'I must say, in short, however,
that differ with Capt. Minus as to
the gruesome picture he paints OF
affairs at Clemson College with re-
gard to law and order among the
cadets. There was never time IN
the history Of the College when the
boys we're more orderly and well be-
haved nor when more or harder
work in the classes was being done,
and so long as that is true, and the
young men are meeting expectations
of parents and guardians in the mat
ter Of education, these questions OF
authority. whether trivial or not, will
cut no great figure.
Prof. Riggs Protests.
Prof. Riggs, quoted by Capt. MI
nus, says in reply:
"The use of my name by Capt
Minus in his article today concern
ing disciplinary conditions at Glenn
son College vas entirely unauthorlz-
ed. Fearing that some may be mis-
led I am compelled to say that am
not in sympathy with his criticism.
In nv opinion President Nell has
not interfered with Capt Minus in
the administration Of discipline, ex-
cept when justified by the laws or
the College in the exercise OF MS
! presidential functions.
"W. NJ. RIGGS,
Clemson College, April 1s, 1909
Cant. Minus Statement.
Can't. J. c. Minus, when shown
the two statements, said:
I'm regard to the President Nell
first point: If the board of trustees
considered any affair between the
president and me it must have been
ex parte, for it is a settled fact that
I was not allowed to come before
the board. The presidents side OF
the controversy may have been told,
certainly not mine.
"In regard to the second point:
I made the statement of the troubles
that T encountered with the presl-
dent as commandant to the inspect
ing officer, Capt. Lenahan. Tne
stand that he took was to the effect
that the position Of commandant at
Clemson is in way private ar
rangement between the officer on
duty as military instructor, the OF
ficer being detailed as professor OF
military instruction and tactics, ana
tia co11aoo Consequently unless the