The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-01-31
Scores Life Trustees
In q Critical Report

Of the smallest moment. Are trustees
made of sterner stuff than they? There
can not be too much circumspection
exercised in the matter. It is always
we'll to avoid the appearance of evil,
to disarm criticism, if for no better
reason. The wholesome light Of pub
licity given the facts heretofore re-
ported ought to have offended no one.
Facts are facts, howsoever innocently
they may have arisen.
Book by Riggs.
eve would deem it unnecessary to
refer to this subject but for the pre-
sentation to US by acting President
Riggs of a booklet, of which he is the
author, and which he denominates
The Clemson Catechism,' issued from
the Clemson press and circulated
through its second edition, in which
the former committee is taken to task
and charged with having known and
failed to report facts. We reproduce
here this charge, and his explanations
in his own language:
"'44 The charge was made to the
last legislature that relatives Of the
trustees are elected as teachers and
officers at Clemson
'sIt is a fact that Clemson has on its
faculty and among its officers men who
are related to its trustees. Perhaps
it is thought in some quarters that the
relationship units them for the usual
rights and privileges of citizenship,
but you do not think so, do you ?
"s45. No; but what is the explana-
ton of the situation?
"'Of the ten officers and teachers
named in the report as being related
to the members Of the board, two of
them became related by marriage sew
eral years after their election. Two
were elected upon the recommenda-
ton of DR.. Hartzog, and one was ap-
pointed outright by him. One was
elected upon the recommendation OF
President Neil, and three were ap-
pointed by him between board meet
ings, their appointments being later
confirmed by the board. One, an ds
slstan. hookkeeper. was nominated 3y
a member of the finance committee not
related to him, and elected without OBJ
lection on the part of the president.
"sOnle of the ten, who was original
| ly appointed by the president, was
proposed to a position in the expert
ment station in the face Of the presi-
dents recommendation of another
party. This person was, however, reg
commended by the Head of the depart
ment concerned, although at salary
LESS than that given him at election:
"t46. It would seem from the above
statement that if nepotism exists al
Clemson, it is the result of the oficia.
acts of the last two presidents.'
"'The record has been cited; it is
for you to draw your own conclusions
"'47. What about the ability of these
relatives to properly perform their du'
ties?
"'It would appear that they are do
ing satisfactory work. There is moth
ing on the records to show that thei1
services have not been satisfactory.
| Gas. Would it not have been well i
all the facts could have been laid be
fore the legislative committee before
they made their report?
"'They had presented to them al
the facts that are here related.
"4e. Why, then, did they not give
both sides and let the people Judge
"'That is a question which you vii
| nave TO DISK UIN L Nc%A 1HO
answer it for them
IF this specious sophistry afford
its author any satisfaction We talk
pleasure in transmitting the same t.
: the public. The objection to nepotisn
: is the suspicion that the Relationship
to member of the board clothes tn
kinsman with an undue influence O
pull, not on his kinsman officer alone
but upon the latter's associates a
well, and particularly On the creature
of the board-those who owe thei
places to his kinsman's favor. Il
other words, it is easy to love thos
who love US, to return favor for fayo
: courtesy for courtesy. The expla
nations contained in the 'Catechism
suggest the thought that forme
presidents may not have been so un
sophisticated as the present head, bu
! L. -