The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-28
Mann AGAINST NELL.
TRUSTEE SAYS PRESIDENT OF
CLEMSON EvADEs ISSUE.
Supports Allegations Made by Capt.
Minus and Suggests Resignation OF
Several Clemson O1icials.


fdent Of Clemson college, for interfer-
Ing with the discipline of the institu-
ton, which caused him to resign his
position as commandant of the mill
tary department Of Clemson college.
Now, are these charges true or false?
DR.. Nell In his reply does not DENY
the allegations. and why not? He
says. II decline to enter into q news
paper controversy with the retiring
commandant on the administration of
aaairs at Clemson college, for the
following reasons: First, the issues
he raises belong entirely to the board
OF trustees. This body has recently
considered these affairs and have an
nounced their decision" do not
think DR.. Nell can prove this state
ment. The board considered Capt.
Minus's resignation and not the
charges. as DR.. Nell would have the
public, believe. And we accepted 1t
with the understanding that on ac-
count OF the continued interference OF
DR.. Nell with the discipline of the
college. Capt. Minus could and would
not submit to such treatment longer
by DR.. Nell.
This was not the FIRST time Capt
Minus has complained to the board
OF trustees. AS many as three times
Capt Minus had stated that DIR. Nell
was interfering with the discipline of
the college and II he did not stop
meddling where he had no business
he would have to resign through self
respect. DIR. Nell promised twice to
quit meddling with Capt. Minus de-
partment. anu II ne had kept his
promise 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--interfer-
ence with the military department of
the colisss is Or! Meii's forte.
As I remember the interview with
DR.. Nell In regard to his meddIing
with the military post. Of the college
ne did not deny any Of Capt. Minus
charges, but simply tried to justify
his course In meddling with Capt
Minus department on the ground
that he was head Of the institution;
that Is to say. there was no appeal
from his action or decision: 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 1t.
DIR. Nell Is very much mistakn II
ne declines to answer Capt. Minus
charges. and tries to dodge the issue
by trying to lay 1t on the board Of
trustees This is simply begging the
question. Doctor. say they are false
or true? If false. will not be salts
fled with any such quibbling as this.
for, say again with emphasis the
board has not investigated Capt. Min
u.s. charges.
As DR.. Nell is trying to make it
appear to the general public. 1 for
one will resent 1t, and say DR.. Mell's
explanation does not explain. be-
lieve In fairness, equal rights to all
men and special privilege to none.
Some Of us wanted an investiga-
tion. but from what could see when
the charges were made, DR.. Nell did
not want an investigation. and in my
Judgment he is not anxious for 1t to-
day. No man who is innocent is
afraid OF an investigation. Had I
been In Dr. Mells place all the board
could not have prevented 1t. 1 would
have demanded 1t on the conditions
IL 1t was ont granted they would have
to accept my resignation. and not try
to dodge the issue by laying the
blame on the board OF trustees by
saying they had investigated the ad-
ministration, when they have not, and
no one knows this better than DIR.
Nell did.
Capt. Minus has done the only
thing gentleman could do under the
existing conditions.
ask the public TO hear what Com
mandants Simpson and Clay have
said. or have to say. on this point. Did
they not have the same charges, and
make them. on DIR. Nell, and was not
this interference on DR.. MelTs part
the cause OF both OF them leaving
Clemson college? What further evil
dence will the public demand? We
have the combined evidence OF three
men from the war department, all
testifying on one point. Are they not
sufficient to convince the most in
credulous? Now. as I see II. the best
tntng for DIR Nell to do Ia IA raaipp