The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-04-28
stone, Col N. L. Donaldson, NJ
C. D. Mann and Col. r. ". Simpson
Interference by President Alleged.

StOIlS, CO1- NJ l.. OOIl-S.USOH, W
c.. D. Mann and Col. r. ". Simpson
Interference by President Alleged.
My claim is that as I was COM
ponent part Of discipline and conf
mandant, the president had no right |
to restore cadet, without first CIV |
ing me an opportunity to investi- |
gate the offence and, if he desired
20 override me, to do it in way |
authorized by regulations, and not
to ruthlessly invade my jurisdiction !
and put my authority at defiance
At any rate the matter was left stand
ing until the December meeting of
the board At that time a commit
tee OF the board. consisting OF Col.
Alan Johnstone, Senator Tillman and
Mr.. Maulden. held a 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 prom
ise to stay out OF The military juris-
diction, and with my announcement
that unless ne did, I would give up
my position as commandant.
At the time I expressed extreme
doubt as to the presidents compi-
ance with his part Of the agreement.
True to my expectations, in January
of this year, lie again began his
interference with the military de-
partment. I submitted my resigna-
tion and wrote in connection there
with a letter IN which / set forth
the following: The reason for my
resignation are on account Of the
presidents interference with matters
Of discipline, setting aside the au-
thority Of the commandant, and
ruthlessly violating the proper and
we'll established methods in maln-
tanning discipline in military sys-
TEN. His promise Of cooperation
and non-interference in the military
department has not been kept. |
simply state that my self-respect will
not permit me to serve under him.
President Charged With Weakness.
| The chairman Of the board OF
trustees. upon receipt Of this let
ter, wrote me asking that / remain
at the College until the meeting of
the board. In accordance with that
letter l remained, believing that
the board at its meeting in March
| would so to the bottom of things.
Personally I had no desire to con-
tinue the work as commandant on
account Of extreme arduousness OF
the duties, but felt that if the board
would honestly look into the con-
dition of affairs at this institution,
good would be bound to result If
action was taken in accordance with
| the facts as found. When the sub
ject came up before the board, ac-
cording to my information, resolu-
ton was offered to accept my resig-
nation. An amendment was offered
thereto, calling me before the board
10 have me set forth the underlying
causes of my resignation. Strange
TO say, the amendment could not
be adopted. am at loss to know
why the board Of trustees should OBJ
ject to an honest investigation OF
such a vital matter as the discipline
of Clemson. Understand that / do
not complain of the acceptance Of my
resignation. commend the board
upon its direct and positive way OF
handling my case.
Nevertheless, what was the board s
clear duty with my letter before ii
and also information that some OF
it's own members possessed as to the
real condition of affairs? What has
been the experience of the two form
er commandants under Dr.. Nell?
Here is Capt. Sirmyer's comments
taken from a letter to me: The
chances a commandant would have
10 put up a fine showing in the mat
ter of cadet regiment are too nu-
merous to mention, if the military
department could only set the sup
port of the powers that be. But in
my opinion, nothing can be done un-
I'll there is a new president. Per
sonally / was very fond of Dr.. Nell,
but he is weak. and I thought was
TOO willing to sacrifice anyone SO
that he could be popular with the
boys, and as far as / can see his eff
forts had exactly the opposite re,
suits
Capt. Clay's report is not at hand,
but have read it and he complains
along the same lines.
I am convinced of the magnificent
opportunity for great work at Glenn
son, and realizing that owe much
to the State, which I have called my
own since I was six years of age,
and in which I have spent grear
many years, make the foregoing
statement based upon my experience
and observation at Clemson, and with
a view that the information may
prove of some value to the people
in their attitude towards the Col
lege.
J. C. MINUS,
Cant. United States Army, Retired.
April Il, 1909.
BIGGEST CANDLE EVER MADE.