The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-19

! Nerslty or Virginia with the degree of
Doctor Of Philosophy and also a
; graduate in mathematics in Gottenp.
en- University Of Germany. He spoke
German and French fiuently and had
reading knowledge of Spanish and
Italian. While abroad he studied
! mathematics under some of the best
mathematicians both in Germany and
IN France. There were two other
strong men on my list but I endors-
ed as my first choice DIR. Dunkel. At
Prof. Martins request I submitted his
application to the board for the
chair. did not consider Prof. Mar
TIN equal to DR.. Dunkel in mathemat-
| lcal training. After several ballots
| the board failed to elect anyone and
after transacting other business adj
)ourned to meet in July, at which
time Prof. Martin was elected. all
though Prof. Dunkel's name was suh.
mltted by me again. Prof. Martin is
son-in-law Of r. w. Simpson. the
former president of the board and q
life trustee. My work for the college
from that time became greatly ham,
pered and interrupted by serious diff
hculties thrown in my way by the
friends Of Mr. Simpson on the hoard
OF trustees. Prof. Martin was elect
ed assistant professor of mathematics
before I became president of the COL
lege.
| In 1908 I recommended 10 the
board the election Of a chemist for
the expert on the station staff. NV
hst contained a gentleman who had
received fifteen years training in
chemical experiments and was famj-
liar with difficult station. researches.
"A nephew OF a member Of the board
was nominated by Mr. Simpson and
was elected in few minutes after
wards. This nephew was but recent
ly graduated from Clemson and was
without experience concerning station
experiments. He was a bright young
man, but could not in any particular
compare with the gentleman whom I
mad nominated, in age, experience
and educational advantages.
In my efforts to control my steno-
srapher, who H. niece. sf trustee.
was greatly embarrassed by the
board stepping in and siding with
her In her insubordination. I found
her in the Office when I accepted the
presidency in 1902. She has been
given leave of absence until the new
president shall be elected, and the in
ference is that she will be returned
to the presidents office with a salary
increased from $3.50 to 5000. Be-
cause of this action Of the board last
september 1 have been unable to Sc
cure a competent assistant who will
consent to take the position with the
uncertainty hanging over it. I have
appointed eight young men since last
September, but all have declined af-
ter looking into the situation. I have
called the attention of the board to
this unfortunate condition, but they
have declined to reconsider their de-
termination to have the niece return
ed to the presidents office after I re-
| tire.
While L was in controversy with
the last commandant in the matter of
who should discharge the duties of
the presidents office, Rev. Coke d.
Mann, a member of the board of
trustees, published an article in the
newspapers condemning me in my eff
forts to control the affairs of the col
lege, and yet he had not availed him
self of the opportunity to inform
himself concerning my side of the
| matters under consideration. Mr.
Mann was on the jury which was af-
terwards called on to decide on the
merits Of the case. BY his conduct
ne had rendered himself unfit to sit
on the case, but he took part in the
| discussions which occurred in the
board and cast his vote against me in
the final action of the trustees.
The voting Of $4,000 to compensate
| members of the board of trustees
(wlth their law partners) for defend
ing the college in the dixie litigation
IS worthy of consideration by the
committee of the General Assembly
In my efforts to devel.p the col
iege into high grade institution of
science, engineering and agriculture.
had worked out, with the assistance
oI my FACULTY, seven courses of study
Tor the students to pursue. and three
or these were for the AGRICULTURAL
students. But the trustees at their
meetin In Daoa.,,La. l.L -. ..