The Van Buren press., 1912-07-06
STATE CAPITOL
NEWS AND NOTES
Chancellor Kirkland Declines
to Head University OF
Arkansas.
MADE VlSITTO FAYETTEVILLE
Saws Prospects for University IN r.
nanciaI Way Are to Uncertain
for the Future.

Western Newspaper Union News Service,
Little Rock. - In all probability
Chancellor ]. H. Kirkland, now head
of vanderbilt university Of Nashville,
will not be president of the Arkansas
university this year.
This conclusion was reached when
the Tenness educator refused 10 ac-
cept the presidency on the grounds
that the finances of the state were
in such bad condition at the present
time that he could see no possibility
of improvement in the work OF the
university in at least three years.
This action was taken at meet
ing of the board Of trustees Of the
university.
q came to Arkansas at the invita-
ton of Governor Donaghey and so
far my trip has been a most enjoy
able one. The hospitality extended
me while in Fayetteville was such as
| have never before experienced and
I consider it quite an honor to be
among Arkansas people,
81 am fully aware Of the conditions
now existing in the state, in a finan-
cial way, and that is the one ques-
ton that now confronts me, At pres
ent, from the findings | have made,
there can be no possible improve.
ment in the work Of the university
for at least a year, and it will be at
least three years, if appropriations
are made by the Legislature, before
the university will be placed upon the
right plane.
"At present I can see no reason
why l should relinquish something
that is already important and great
to take hold Of something that is
comparatively immature, and l con-
slider three years to be too long a
wait"
A motion was made and passed to
the effect that the matter Of elect
ing a president of the university be
deferred for seyral days in order to
give the chancellor a chance to re.
consider his action and to give more
time to the consideration Of the prop
osition, but It was stated by nr.
Kirkland that II the board has any
other man in mind for that position,
It was his advice to the board not to
let him stand in the way Of any de-
cision that might be reached by them.
At the meeting of the board DR..
Morgan Smith, a prominent physician
Of this city was elected dean Of the
medical department Of the uniyer'
sity. The action taken by the board
I'm this matter was based on the re.
port Of the committee appointed to
Investigate the conditions existing at
the medical department. and make
recommendations
However a committee representing
2G members Of the faculty Of the med.
ical department appeared recently
at the statehouse and asked per.
mission to enter a protest before the
Morgan Smith as dean.
A committee composed Of a dozen
or more prominent ministers Of this
city appeared before the board recent.
ly and entered a protest against
the action taken by the board in
granting permission 10 the Christian
church to establish a chair Of Blbll.
cal literature In the university The
grounds upon which was based the
protest Of the preachers were that
the chair should not be rlued by any
denomination,
II was explained, however, by Pres.
idont John n Tnlman who was pres.
ent that the board had no intentions
Of letting any denomination control
the chair, but that It merely wanted
to have the Bible taught in the uni.
versty.
The pastors were very emphatic in
protesting against the action Of the
board.
Guard Orders Issued.
Little Rock,-Tho various compa.
nlcs Of the Arkansas National Guard
were detailed for target practice IN
m order issued by Adiutant General
i. W. Green. The order makes strict
provisions for the regulation Of the
camps and the conduct Of the men,
The Donaghcy trophy will be award.
ed to the company making the highest
figure Of merit, no company with less
than 3G men on the range being ollgl.
bic. The two trophies given by a
powder company will be awarded to
the companies making the highest and
next highest figures Of merit. Com,
panles competing for these trophies