The sun., 1917-10-09
BEARD QUITS
COLUMBIA; HITS
TRUSTEE RULE
Noted Historians Action
Sequel to "BludgeOning"
of Colleagues.
FAVORS WAR HIMSELF
Seeks Intellectual Indepen-
dcnce Away From "ReactiOn-
ary" and "NarrOw" Board.
FAVORS WAR HIMSELF

DIR. Charles Austin Beard. one Of
Americas most distinguished historia ms
and political economists, resigned last
night as professor o: politics at Colum-
bia University. This chair lie had o.
cupied since 1915. The resignation is
intended to take effect this morning.
While Prof. Heard makes no specific
mention in his letter OF the action OF
tho board OF trustees last week in dis
missing Frofs. j. Mckeen Cattell and
Henry W. L. Dana for their pacifst ut
terances and activities. it was the gen
eral belief among his colleagues last
highland indeed was not denied BY
Prof. Beard hineelf-that the ousting OF
the two professors was the immediate
impellinC move behind his resignation.
Il regard the action OF Frof. Beard as
a natural consequence OF the degrading
action OF the board of trustees last
week." said Prof. John Dewey of the
department Of psychology at Columbia
PERSONALLY I regret the loss to the fac
ulty of such scholarly man and a
teacher of such rare powers
Letter AnsaiIs "Narrow" Trustees.
Prof Boards letter of resignation to
Dr. Butler Is as follows:
Dear President Butler:
Having observed closely the inner life
at Columbia for many years ! have been
driven to the conclusion that the uni
versty is really under the control of a
small and active group of trustees who
have no standing in the world Of edu-
cation, VINO are reactionary and vision
lees in politics. harrow and medieval In
religion.
Their conduct. to use the language OF
a resolution adopted last si,rirs by one
OF the most important faculties, betraya
profound nisconception OF tho true
function of a university in the advance
ment OF learning How widespread and
deep IL this conviction among the pro-
fessors only one intimately acquainted
with them can know.
III these were ordinary times one
might more readily ignore the unhappy
position in which the dominant group in
the board OF trustees has placed the
teachers. But these are not ordinary
times. We are In the midst Of a great
war and We stand on the threshold of an
era which will call for all tAe emanci-
pated thinking that America can com.
mand.
"As you are aware. have from the
beginning believed that victory fol
the German Imperial Government would
plunge all OF us into the black night OF
military barharism. ! was among the
first to urge declaration Of war by
the United States. and believe that We
should now press forward with all oui
might to a just conclusion
But thousands Of my countrymen dc
not share this view. Their opinions can.
not he changed by curses or bludgeons
Arguments addressed to their rea son anG
understanding are our best hope.
Would Prove Dlsinterestedness.
such arguments, however must come
from men whose disnterestedness |.
above all suspicion. whose independence
Is beyond all doubt and whose devotion
to the whole country. as distinguished
from any single class or group. is abov,
all question.
IL am convinced that while mair
In the pay nf the trustees Of Columbia
University 7 cannot do effectively m,
humble part in sustaining public opinion
in support Of the Just war on the German
Empire or take a position OF indepen
dence in the days Of reconstruction tina
are to follow. For this reason herewith
tender my resignation as professor O
politics, to take effect on the morning o
Tuesday. October Q. 1917,
II cannot hnd words to convey t.
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