New-York tribune., 1911-11-27
Issues Pamphlet Declaring Man.
Iy independence Is StIfIed by
Heads Of Columbia
University.
RECALLS THE PECK CASE
Saws Resolution He Offered
Caused President to Say II He
Did Not Drop Matter He
Would Get Into Trouble
Letters Made Public.

Professor Joel l.. Spiugarn, FORMER
professor of comparative literature IN
columbia University who was relieved
from further academic service at that
institution on March c. 1911, has printed
pamphlet for circulation among the
alumni of the university in which he
states his position in the controversy
which preceded the seyering of his con-
noction with Columbia. The letters that
rassed between Professor Spingarn and
DR. Nicholas Murray Butler president Of
the university, are published in the
pamphIet. together with Professor Spin
garns own views on the matter. The
statement Is entitled a Question of
Academic Freedom and consists Of
more than fifty pages.
After going into details as to the gov
eminent of Columbia University, which.
he saws 'Is governed by a self perpetu-
adrg board Of trustees. consisting Of
franciers. lawyers. diyines and other
men not one Of whom is a scholar by
profession or familiar with the more
intimate atmosphere Of academic life,'
Professor Spingarn saws that the real
work of the board of trustees is con-
fded 10 its five committees, one Of
which the committee on education. de-
termines the educational policy of the
university and the status Of the teach
ing staff
According to Professor Spingarn. the
recommendation Of this committee are
accepted without Independent investiga-
Hou and often even without discussion
by the board as a whole. and the des-
unies Of Columbia, with its more than
seven hundred teachers and more than
seven thousand students, are settled at
these secret conclaves between the presi-
dent and three or four Of his friends"
is Surrounded by Syeophants,"
Professor Spingarn then says:
Under such a system IT is small wonder
that the president is surrounded by syco.
chants since sycophauCy is a condition OF
official favor: small wonder that intellec-
faal freedom and personal courage dWinole.
e,0'aining il not justitying the jibe OF
European scholars that there are three
sexes IN AmeriCa-men. women ana pro
f-ssurs: small wonder that permission 70
give utteTsnce 10 mild theories OF pallor
.1c'alisn is mistaken by American unlNer-
..fss fGr superb freedom Of action. But
whatever may be the defects or the VIII
rcs OF this system, il falls utterly ulless
.rr president is as II were, Transparent
Medium between the teaching corps ano
he trustees II he mlsrepresentS the Coh-
Iitions of the university. II ne olstoIts lne
.o,,,rnunications intrusted 10 him for pres
entation 70 the trustees; i he uses MS
0osiron 10 serve the ends OF spite or ran,
-or or his own ambition, hapless, lndeeo
in Milton s words is that race OF men @
those misfortune II is to have under
--andin- Much, too much, depenos on ms
GOOD faith and honor. II IS lhe puIPOSsS
of mis- papphlet TO indicate the danger 10
academic freedom and 70 the higher aims
Of university life that at the present ume'
FOR this reason, contronts ColUinOla'
Professor spingarn then outlines the
career Of the department Of comparative
literature i'm Columbia since its organi-
zation bv Professor George r. Wood
berry i'm 1899 He tells Of his eleven
Years work in the department, In the
successive grades Of assistant, tutor, ad-
iunct professor and professor. In 1910
against his earnest protests SAYS Pro-
fessor Spingarn. this department was
7malgamated with the English depart
ment. .au0 his work was placed under
the authority Of the professors Of Eng
fish. While promising every friendly CO.
operation with his new colleagues, ne
Informed them that he reserved the right
10 ignore their authority whenever it
might be exerted over his own work in
comparative literature.
Reference is made by Professor Spin
earn in his pamphlet to the enforced
resignation Of Harry Thurston Peck on
come involved in breach Of promise
suit, and his resignation was asked for
Of the grounds that il was for the best
interests Of the university" He later
sued President Butler for $4,000 for
slandering him.
Says Trouble" Was Threatened.
Speaking Of this, the pamphlet says:
ON December 8, 1910. Professor Spingarn
introduced in the faculty Of philosophy a
'rief resolution testifying 10 the academic
services Of d well known scholar who had
recently been dismissed from the uniVer-
slty and who was then suing the president
Tor libel The dismissal OF this professor
was due 10 the newspaper notOriety re-
fulung from legal suit against him, q
suit which had not yet been tried and
which the plaintiff has since failed to
bring 20 trial: but the justice or injustice
lution that referred solely 10 the twenty
two years Of his previous service to the
university.
Though this resolution was laid on the
table, IL was not Professor Spingsrn's in
tention to allow the matter to drop there,
and he so Informed the president in an in
terView on January 6. 1911 The president
thereupon made the following threat: IF
you don't drop this matter YOU Will get
into trouble" Professor Spingarn an
swercd: Il am not in the habit Of alter
because
Of trouble Mr. President"
1t would be disheartening to a proud
Son " Columbia 10 linger over the details
Of official trickery anC deception, OF threat
ana insult Of manners even worse than
morals; but IL would be unjust 10 those
who love Coiumbia's honor to hide from
them the fact that in the course of this
single incident the president Of their alma
mater told at least five deliberate false
moods, broke at least three deliberate
promises, and denied his own statements
whenever Il served his purpose 10 do so
IN is without rancor, and with deep re-
Eret, that Professor Spingarn feels Obliged
TO state these facts, and 10 express his
mature conviction that the word or prom
lse or President Butler is absolutely worth
less unless IL is recorded in writing and
thal even written document offers no
teItan safeguard against evasion or dis
loitlon IL Is 10 this executive with this
code or honor that Columbia intr1ists All
avenues Of communication between the
suDserVient faculties and the governing
trustees
According TO Professor Spingarn. the
Peck incident and his remarks thereat
are not history or an estimate OF Presi
dent Buffers administration of Column
oiai they are merely the record of a sin
gle abuse, although typical Of his exec
utive career. The professor states that