Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-08-09

feeling the board of trustees assembled |
in annual session the 23rd of last
June, with quorum present, voted for |
his indefinite reelection as professor of |
the German language and literature.
Every trustee was notified in due season
of the board meeting and the president
of the university was at especial pains
to remind one Of the very prominent MEM
bers, who did not come. by telephone some
days In advance, urging the Importance
of his presence.
The secretary. in calling the annual
meeting of the board. is not accustomed
to specify the various items of business
to be considered. 1t Is we'll understood,
however. that the faculty personnel is a
regular question for consideration at this
annual meeting. During the afternoon,
without any thought of those who were
present or absent, the president in due
course made his recommendations, which
were adopted. 1t would be a breach of
propriety on my part to make public an
nouncement of the names of those vot-
ing for and against the reelection Of Doc
tor Appelmann. 1t is entirely proper,
though, to say that the statement of the
numbers voting on either side of this
question, as I have seen 1t in the pa
pers is incorrect. Certain Of the trustees
who voted against the reelection of our
professor Of German expressed their warm
friendship for him and their thorough
belief in his worthness. If those present
and not voting had voted against him.
there would still have been majority
in his favor. I have not inquired how
the five absentees would have voted had
they been present. Since all legal re-
quirements were met, conjecture on this
point is unnecessary. Those acquainted
with the facts will not need the assurance
that there was no thought of taking an
improper advantage. or of sharp practice,
on the part of any one.
1t ought not to be necessary for me
to enter into any defense of my own con-
duct in this case. Certainly the people
of Vermont have never heard any sug-
gestion of an unpatriotic utterance from
me. Suffice it to say prefer to express
my loyalty by support of vital principles
rather than by attacks upon an unarmed
and defenseless human being.
Much has been said Of late concerning
two German sailors who have been
thought to be a menace to the peace of
the State. These men were part of
the crew of the passenger steamship Gin
cinnati. which was interned at Boston
with the beginning of the war in Europe
three years ago. They were not fighting
seamen but, as I understand 1t, dining
that they were sent by the Protestant
Episcopal chaplain Of Boston harbor to
Rev. Mr.. Flint. rector of the church at
Montpelier, with the request that he pro-
vide them with employment. He in turn
sent them to Burlington and referred
them to the then rector of st. Pauls, in
| this city. now the Right Rev. George Y.
Bliss, bishop coadjutor of Vermont. Doc
tor Bliss asked one of his laymen to call
| Doctor Appelmann by telephone and So
licit his help in locating the sailors where
they could earn a living. Doctor Appel
mann had never seen either of the men
and did not know them. He complied
| with the request of Bishop Bliss, how
ever. and secured employment for one
of the men on the farm of DR.. Henry c.
| Tinkham, dean Of the University of Yer
mont College of Medicine. The other man
| was employed as an assistant janitor at
| Converse Hall of the university. About
| year ago one of these men went to
| Holyoke. Mass, to take another position
and the second man is still serving inof-
fensively at Converse Hall dormitory.
There is no feature of this case that
| cannot be explained to the satisfaction of
any open-minded citizen. The alumni Of
the university and the people of Vermont
are believers in justice and lovers of fair
play. l believe full knowledge Of the
facts will convince all loyal citizens of the
State that Doctor Appelmann's profess
sions should be taken at face value. All
letters and documents bearing on the
matter are open to inspection at the uni
versity. l shall not engage in a news
paper discussion but l will gladly
answer any questions that may be
asked orally. and l hope those who
are anxious for the truth will feel
Such a course will bring far more salts
factory results than can be secured by
trusting to vague rumor or depending up
on idle hearsay. 1t is my purpose to
| keep in close touch with the federal au-
thorities, as l have been doing, and l
pledge the constituency of the university
to make prompt report to the board Of
trustees if government officials change
| their attitude.
Those of us who know Doctor Appel
mann have implicit confidence in his
Christian integrity. We believe in him as
a fine scholar, an able teacher and a
blameless man. Personally l owe him
no more than l owe any other colleague.
He has no claim for special consideration
at my hands, but | have entered so fully
into the fellowship of pain with him dur
ing these three years of his excruciatng
suffering that l have come to know him
better than / know many other men.
That knowledge has given me respect
for the greatness of his character that
cannot be destroyed by unsupported as
sertions. l urgently request that all
freds Of the university accept my as
surances of belief in his worthiness.
Those who trust him will never find their
confidence betrayed and the day will
surely come when all loyal Vermonters
will be proud to claim this good man as
fellow citizen.
Every true patriot is anxious for sue
cess in the great cause upon which our
country and our allies have embarked
May we not. then. lay aside all chickering's
over questions of small Importance while
in the spirit of Christian federation. char
ity, loyalty and neighborly goodwill we
address ourselves to the bigger questions
which have to do with the veal or woe OF
mankind?
(signed) GUY POTTER BENTON.
The University Of Vermont.
Burlington, Aug. 8.
GARDEN CANNING PRIZES