The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-12
u. OF P. Is FOR FREE
SPEECH IF PROPER
Trustees Also Adopt Huxley
RcsOlutiOn-Last Word in
Nearing Case.
SEARCH FOR DICTOPHONE

PHILADELPHIA. oct. 1.-THE rniver-
sity Of bcnusylvania's board Of trustees
guaranteed freedom of speech to its
faculty to-day when exercised sin "A
prope manner. upon Proper occasions
ald with proper respect for the dignity
of their relationship to the university"
Newspaper men were excluded from the
boards meeting.
The qualifying terms are contained
in Il lengthy resolution offered by
Efnngham II. Morris aud entered on the
minutes as the official explanation Of
the trustees action in dismissing DR..
Scott Nearing from the Wharton School
faculty.
Three separate communication on the
Nearing issue were brought before the
trustees. a letter from the Wharton
Association. signed by John Scott
LansilI. It's president, merely asked for
nm explanation of DR.. Meanings dis
miasal. A petition, which 1.5O0 students
signed, presented to the trustees by
Edgar Cope. n. chairman of the civic
club Of the university, demanded DR..
Meanings reinstatement A third COM
munication. from graduate students.
protested against any limitations being
placed on academic freedom OF speech.
Send PrOtcstants Copy.
The trustees instructed Secretary
Edwin q. Robbins to acknowledge the
receipt of all three communications and
forward the professionals "a copy of the
Morris resolution as stating the position
taken by the trustees.
In addition the trustees adopted a
resolution offered by Wharton Iiarker,
containing the declaration of Thomas ".
Huxley as rector of Aberdeen University
in favor Of academic thought free from
all fetters.'
Thu Morris resolution says in part:
"In order to avoid misunderstanding
" the position of the university toward
freedom of academic opinions, speech.
teachings and public discussions by
members OF its faculties this minute is
entered upon the records of the board of
trustees.
."Recausc Of the direction OF the
board at it, last meeting not to renew
Dr. Scott hearings contract OF employ
ment as an assistant professor In the
Wharton hool-which expired by it's
terms at the end uf the academic year
an assumption has been made and cir
culated hat this action indicated a poll
icy to restrict or to prevent free aCa-
demic dis ussion. This belief is unwar-
ranted. Indeed. nothing could be fur
Their from the truth.
Nv lAhNAf'N ioN' " WHY tlNa IT, :
recognized fully the right of members
Of the teaching staff to hold and give
proper expression to individual views
upon all questions. but there Is not now
and never will be the slightest wish on
the part Of the board or OF a single
one of the trustees to restrict the broad
est latitude Of opinions, research and
discussion.
GOOd ord for Nearing.
"In order to discharge the duty laid
upon the board by the charter. the trus.
tees are required to observe and deter
mine The qualifications of prospective
teachers before appointing them as pro-
fessors. The usual routine is AN en-
gagemeut rs an instructor. an advance
to an assistant professorship. followed.
is justified. by appointment as professor.
apr. Nearing followed this usual
course. He was found to have an attrac-
tive personality and many good qualities
as "A teacher. During the entire period
of The few years in which he was con-
nected with the university. however. his
Efforts, although doubtless perfectly sin
cerc. were 50 constantly anf ooutlnu-
uusly misunderstood lay the public and
by many parents Of students that 1micr
10 thr regret of the trustees they felt
unable 10 give HIN the promotion to a
pIufcssurship which he would otherwise
have Obtained.
The termination OF his temporary
engagement was therefore absolutely in
the lime If duty laid upon the trustee.
by the charter"
Before the trustees assembled i'm
Houston Hall, John Furnish. the janitor.
searched the room thoroughly bur de-
clarcd that he had found no ~dictophone
wires.