The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-11

MADISON. WIS, November 1o.-Ad-
dressing the Governors Conference
here this morning, President c. r. Van
Hise. of the University OF wisconsin,
In speaking on Tho State University
and the State" sald
I'm Wisconsin the relation OF the
State university to tho State has been
subject OF frequent discussion. II is
ono concerning which misconception
has arisen due to lack OF clear think
ing. 1t has been repeatedly stated
that tho University of Wisconsin Is In
politics. During the campaign Just
closed this charge has been ignores
by the university; but now that tho
elections are over and participation in
the discussion can In no way be re-
garded as participating In politics. I
shall consider the principles involved
in this case, since q similar situation
Is sure to arise In those States Of the
country where there are State univer-
sitiee.
The charge that tie University Of
Wisconsin Is In politics Is without
particle Of foundation, for the chal-
lenge has frequently been made and is
now repeated TO specify u single In
stance in which the university has in
terfered in politics either directly or
indirectly. The university has never
been organized in favor OF any poiiti-
cal party or faction of party; nor
has there been any attempt so to or
ganiZe il. No body OF men would be
more quick to resent such mn attempt
than the faculty Of the university,
men OF Independent spirit. who are
divided in their political sympathies
among all parties and different groups
OF the parties. The students would be
as ready to resent tine attempt at such
organization as the faculty. This au-
tumn there were cubs among the stud
tnts, representing the Republican. the
Democratic. the Prohibition and the
Independent parties: and all. alike, had
the Same opportunities as student
groups to hold their meetings in the
university buildings. Not only ha.;
the university not been organized for
Ing the past twenty-five years, has an
appointment in the university been
made in relation to politics. either In
the faculty or on the business side. No
instnnce OF this kind has even been
suggested.
"IIavlng made 1t plain that the uni
versity is not now and has not been
in politics. l might close; but IL ! did
SO, 1t would not be clear how the mis-
conception. mentioned at the outset Of
my remarks. has arisen. The miscon-
ception has been due to the fact that
there has been no discrimination be-
tween interference in politics and free
dom In teaching The university in
its teaching and Investigations has no
sacred cows There is no domain of
knowledge which il may not enter.
Therefore 1t has departments Of poll
teal economy. political science, his
tory and sociology; and these are virile
departments, alive to the last event in
human progress. The men I'm theso de-
partments teach the truth as they see
it In regard to subjects concerning
which there are differences OF opin-
ion. This may be done by a university
for different mathematical theories
without comment, but for the modern
humanities, the same breadth OF view
does not everywhere prevail. The
University of Wisconsin is free and
has been free for many years. Twenty
years ago this liberty was challenged
in the case Of a professor OF political
economy; and at that time the regents
made n declaration OF principles con-
corning tcachinB, which, from that
date. has been recognized as funda-
mental doctrine In the University or
Wisconsin
while there must be freedom of
teaching and investigation In the sub
iects OF political economy political
science. history and sociology, the at
titude of the professors should be that
of Judges and not partisans or advo-
Gates. The different opinions held
a subject, with the rea-
CONS which support them, should be
presented. This done, professor is
free TO give his own opinion. This
principle is vital in any university.
Concerning 1t no compromise can be
made.
Another current statement relating
to the university Is that professors
have attempted to control legislation.
but this the university has scrupulously
avoided In order to guard, in this
respect the regents in 1918 voted to
authorize the president of the univer-
Bity to permit members of the uni
nHN, ,A<xH -.