The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-09

mans bluff when it is known that tn
trick was simply a change of ship ant
sailing date in order to secure quicl
and safe passage to the United States
1t was the letters to DR.. Paul Rohr
rious belief of many people that Docto
Appelmann had been guilty of anti
American activities" The Hon. FRANK
L. Polks acting secretary of state, OF
the fifth of October last, dissipated al
warrantabe suspicious concerning this
correspondence by certifying that Mr.
Gerard, the United States ambassador
to Berlin, had ascertained that Doctor
Rohrbach had "never held any official
position under the German government
Indeed, the highest federal officials have
| given repeated assurance that Doctor Ap-
pelmann has not been guilty of any inn
proper behavior toward this country The
assistant secretary of state, on the l4th
of February of this year, declared above
his own signature that there was no rea-
son why Doctor Appelmann should leave
the United States. The assistant attor-
new general of the United States, the
chief of the secret service bureau, the
United States district attorney for Yer
mont, and all officially connected with
the department of justice, who have been
consulted ON the subject, have confirmed
the conclusions reached by the alumni
committee of investigation
g. A college professorship should be
regarded as a civil service position. The
man who has spent many years Of study
and much money in preparing for service
of this character should not have his ca
reer ruined on the basis of mere suspi-
cion. After the usual preliminary year
of trial professor should not be dis
missed from service except on grounds of
incompetency or immortality, fully estab-
lished by the verdict of properly CON
stituted tribunal. In contending that
Doctor Appelmann should be guaranteed
in all his PROFESSIONAL rights | have been
contending for the rights of every other
colleague in this institution. Doctor APP
pelmann has had his day in court and he
was legally acquitted.
7. Our country is now engaged in a
great war to make democracy safe
throughout the whole world and one of
the fundamental principles of democracy
is submission to majority rule The
trustees of the university on the 18th of
April, having accepted the majority find
ings of the investigating committee by
an overwhelming vote and all govern |
mental authorities concurring in these
findings. it was the feeling of many that
this good man was entitled to the full
'ruitage of his generation. In accord |
,nce with this feeling the board of trus- i
.ees assembled in annual session the 2Sd |
If last June. with quorum present,
,oted for his indefinite reelection as pro-
'essor of the German language and lit
nature Every trustee was notified IN
lue season of the board meeting and the
PRESIDENT of the university was at espe-
.ial mains to remind one of the very
prominent members, who did not come,
" telephone some days in advance, urg-
NO the Importance of his presence. /
The secretary, in calling the annual
Meeting of the board, is not accustomed
O specify the various items of business
n he considered. II is well understood,
owever. that the faculty personnel is a
egular question for consideration at tins
nnual meeting. During the afternoon,
yitbout any thought of those who were
resent or absent, the president II
curse made his recommendations. which
ere adopted. 1t would be breach OF
ropriety on my part 20 make public an
of the names of those voting
Dr. and against the reelection of Doctor
ppelmann. 1t is entirely proper, though,
) say that the statement Of the num-
prs voting on either side of the question,
) ! have seen it in the papers, Is ineor-
ct Certain Of the trustees who voted {
yainst the reelection Of our professor
( German expressed their warm friend !
lip for him and their thorough belief in
is worthiness II those present and not G
citing had voted against him, there
ould still have been a majority in his q
.vor. have not inquired how the FIVE o
lseutees would have voted had they
,en present. Since all legal require
ents were met. conjecture on this point
unnecessary. Those acquainted with
.e facts viii not need the assurance
at there was no thought Of taking an
ipropsr advantage. or Of sharp prac- -
se. on the part Of anyone. y
II ought not to Be necessary for me t