The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-20
CAPTAIN MINUS SPEAKS
OF TROUBLES AT CLEMSON
Retiring Cornrnandant Alleges Weakness of Institution as
at Present Organized, and Inpossibity of Securing
Good Results for Students State-Perslstent
Interference by DR.. Nell, and Continued Fail
ure of Board to Meet Issues Are Two
Charges-The Experience of Three
Army Officers the Same.

suasive way, fought against the ad-
mission of his harmful and ruinous
interferences in the structure that
was trying to build. An examination
Of the records Of the commandant s
office and a knowledge Of my atti-
tude towards affairs would convince
anyone of the logic Of my conclusion
in regard to methods necessary to
carry out the undertaking.
At the beginning of this session
questions arose. Appeals were made
to DR.. Nell. In some cases he disre-
garded me as a component part Of
discipline; in others, clear infractions
Of the regulations he claimed were
personal between him and cadet,
and in others the ground for his ac-
ton was not apparent to me nor, do
I believe to him.
Following the legalizing of a ca
det's desertion by restoring him :, to
his full student functions without a
word withme in regard to the case, land
when approached by me an assump-
ton Of discourteous attitude IN the
matter, I called the chairman OF the
board of trustees attention to the
president s continual and unauthor-
lied interference in the discipline of
the institution, and offered to give
the board an opportunity to investi-
gate. A committee from the board
unauthorized, as I understood it, met
for a consultation with the president
and me, and went over the various
items that I presented. There was no
expression Of opinion as to whether
or not the committee agreed or dis
agreed with my contention, for the
committee was without power, but
the names of the gentlemen are as
follows, and I would, suggest that
they would enlighten the public as
to what they feel about this matter;
I would like to see what they would
say: Col. Alan Johnstone, Col. M. L..
Donaldson, Mr.. C. D. Mann, Col. R.
W. Simpson.
Ny claim is that as was a COM
4-ponent part Of discipline and COM
mandant, the president had no right
to restore a cadet without first CIV
ing me an opportunity to investigate
the offense, and if he desired to over
ride me, to do it IN a way authorized
by the regulations, and not to ruth
lessly invade my Jurisdiction and put
my authority at defiance. At any rate,
| the matter was left standing until
the December meeting Of the b0ard.
At that time committee OF the
board, consisting of Col. Alan John
stone, Senator Tillman and Mr..
Mauldin had conference with DR..
Nell and me. The issues were not
looked into. but simply CLOSED over,
and the matter again left standing,
with the presidents promise to stay
out Of the military jurisdiction, and
my announcement that unless he did
I would give up my position as COM
mandant.
j. At the time I expressed extreme
doubt as to the president compll-
ance with his part Of the agreement
True to my expectations, in January
of this year, he again began his IN
: reference with the military depart
ment. I submitted my resignation
and wrote in connection Herewith a
letter in which I set forth the fol-
lowing: "The reasons for my reslg-
nation are on account Of the presl-
| dents interference with matters OF
discipline. setting aside the authority
of the commandant, and ruthlessly
violating the proper and well-estab-
iished methods of maintaining dis
cipline in military system. His
promise of cooperation and non-ln-
reference in the military department
has not been kept. simply state my
<e!f-re<pect will not permit me to
serve under him. E"
The chairman Of the board &C trus-
tees, upon receipt of this letter, wrote
ne, asking that I remain at the col
lege until the meeting Of the board.
In accordance with that letter [ re-
no,;,oa ha1ieyino that the board at