The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-05-16
EQUAL FRANCHISE. LEAGUE DEFENDS
 DR. F. II. SYKES
Passes Resolutions Asking for Definite Charges From
 Trustees.

The Suffragists of Connecticut think Dr. Frederick H. Sykes, until recently president of the Connecticut College for Women, and deposed by the trus- tees of the college, an 1ll-used man. The board of directors of the Hart ford Equal Franchise league has ex- pressed it's disapprobation of the trus- tees, terming them a "reactionary el- ement," and has assured Dr. Sykes of dts esteem, in resolutlonS adopted on Wednesday.
 The New London Equal Franchise league has also adopted similar reso lutions Those adopted fby the Hart ford women were the following:
 Resolved, That the board of direc- tors of the Hartford Equal Franchise league, feeling that the people of Connecticut are entitled to full in- formation in a matter of such public importance as the management of the new Connecticut College for Women, protest against the action of the board of trustees of the college in removing Dr. Sykes without making public any sufficient or definite charge against him.
 Resolved, That the board of direc- tors of the Hartford Equal Franchise league express it's gratitude to Dr. Sykes for his efforts in behalf of the higher education of women in this state and regrets that he has been prevented from continuing his work by a reactionary element which was apparently serving it's ows interests and not those of the state.
 Dr. Sykes's resignation as the head of the college at New London was called for by the trustees some weeks Fago and was rendered in connection ri oF ticles in the newspapers and a lengthy letter written by Dr. Sykes and a re- ply from the trustees.
 Mrs. Edward Porritt, press secre- tary of the Connecticut Woman Suf- grage association and recording sec retary of the Hartford Equal Fran chise league, said that the league di- rectors discussed the affairs of the college at length before adopting the resolutions According to statement by MT. Porritt, suffragists are greatly stirred over the condition of affairs at the Connecticut College for Wo- men.
 "One after another" said she, "suf- frage meetings of various kinds are passing resolutions condemning what they consider the nasty and unjusti- fled action of the board of trustees of the college in removing Dr. Sykes, and calling for a public refutation of the charges that Dr. Sykes made against the board in it's conduct of the business of the college. It seems i'm possible to them that the college should continue to command the con- fidence of the public until the board has made enthusiastically clear it's jus tifcation of its action
 The resolutions adopted by the New London league, of which Nrs. Richard Mansfield is the newly elected pres | ident, expressed ''un'boundeid conf dence'' in. Dr. Sykes. The resolutions are:
 Resolved, That the Equal Fran chise league of New London hereby expresses it's unbounded confidence in Dr. Frederick H. Sykes and holds in highest esteem the splendid work that has been accomplished under his lead ership in Connecticut College for Wo- men.
 l ''We believe that he has been un- I fairly criticised and misrepresented by the board of trustees of the college and that the findings of their so-ca1led committee of inquiry are incomplete inadequate and unjustihable, in that they failed to sustain a SIng1e point against his integrity as a man, his qualifications as an educator his ad ninisrative ability, or his unfailine devotion and loyalty to the work which he has so splendidly begun ir
 our midst.
 We sincerely regret the severance of his connection with Connection
 College for Women and deplore the circumstances that compel 1t.
 Resolved, That in so far as words
 can, we desire to express to Mrs Sykes our appreciation of her ever. ready help, her cheerful courage ant
 her unfai1ing devotion to all goot lwork. Such aIertness of mind, great
 ness of heart and democracy of spiri cannot fail to be a continual incentive , to broader and better living.
 Resolved, That to Dr. and Mrs
 Sykes we extend our loyalty, ou, goodwill and our endearing faith.
 Voted, That these resolutions b, recorded in the minutes of the Euua Franchise league and that a copy b i sent to Dr. and Mrs. syIoes'' . | FnvrF@ eSrrr~r@-~