The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-04-11


ed it highly, stating that it was one
Of the best patriotic addresses he had
ever heard, but he stated that there
were two or three things eastman had
said to which he desired to take ex-
ceptions. First, he said, the govern
ment's method of financing the war
was wrong, then he gave his own way.
DR.. Steele said that the wealth of all
the people should be turned over to
the government and stated that when
that was done, he would be ready to
contribute. This appeared to throw
damper on what had been said.
DR.. Steele then dismissed the stu
dents, whereupon Prof. Clarke, men,
Der of the Normal faculty, arose and
said: "There is nothing now to pre-
vent Mr.. Steele or anyone else from
contributing all he has to the gov
eminent. This is not the time to crit
icize our government, but to get be-
hind it."
DR.. Steele flew into a passion and
denied the implication that he was
not behind the government and chal-
lenged anyone in the room to show
that he had said anything to that eff
feet.
eastman then arose and began to
analyze what Steele had said and pro-
nounced it socialism and heresy.
When accused Of heresy, Steele in
terrupted eastman and said the lat
ter had no right to come there and
attack him. eastman thereupon
started out Of the room and the facul-
ty went with him. The students
started to 60 but Steele ordered them
to remain until he had finished what
he wanted to say. The students re-
manned and finally were dismissed.
A meeting of the businessmen Of
Minot was called Wednesday after
noon at the Association of Commerce
rooms and DR.. Steele was given the
privilege of appearing before them.
For some minutes he argued his side
of the case in a rather disconnected
manner.
The following resolutions were adj
ignation following little later:
WHEREAS, The Association of
Commerce of Minot, N. D., has infor-
nation sufficient to satisfy it that
the administration by Prof. A. G.
Steele of the office Of President Of
the Minot Normal School is not in the
interests of that institution, or Of the
State of North Dakota and it's peo-
pile, and that said A. G.. Steele openly
advocates and teaches to the students
of that school doctrines and theories
which are opposed to the good gov
eminent of the State and the Nation,
and that such teachings tend to dis
courage the sentiments of patriotism
and loyalty to the Government, and
it's agencies adopted for the promo
ton of the war, and are in fact of
such character as unfit him to be
an Instructor of the young men and
women of the State.
RESOLVED, That the said A. G..
Steele be and he is hereby asked to
forthwith tender to the State his res
ignation as President or Principal of
the Minot Normal School.
A copy of the above resolutions was
sent to the State Board of Regents,
and another copy was delivered to
Mr.. Steele.
DR.. Steele came here about a year
ago to take the position temporarily
of President A. G. Crane, who is TAX
ing special work at Columbia Univer-
sity. President Crane will return in
September and it is expected that no
Acting President will be secured dur
ing the meantime. DR.. Steele's time
would have been up in August. He is
graduate of the University of West
Virginia, but at no time has he been
considered heavy enough man for
the important position which he has
filled.
Mr.. Totten, member of the state
Board of Regents, happened to come
to Minot on business not connected
with the Normal school the very af-
ternoon of the day when the contro-
versy occurred.
DR.. Steele appears to be heartily
sorry for the mistake which he has
made as will be seen by the follow
ing taken from his signed statement:
"In my eagerness to help at every
point l have tried to plan and think
of every way possible to win the war
speedily and surely, and in my zeal l
may have recommended what seemed
to me improvements in ways and
means Of handling the present situa-
ton and these recommendations may
have been misunderstood and misused.
If this be true I heartily regret it and
now see clearly the necessity Of
cheering and following heartily and
without question the paths marked
out by our leaders, who are undoubt.
eddy doing the best they know and
who have better chance to know
than me. 1 have therefore determin-
ed never again during the continuance
with even an implied criticism by
the men or the means appointed to
push us on to victory. They have my
hearty cooperation and every ounce
Of energy and devotion can give.
IT am heartily sorry for the occas.
ion for the disruption at the Normal
School Tuesday morning and am ready
to do anything in my power to place
myself right at every point. l know
absolutely that there is not one part
of disloyalty about me and never has
been. The misunderstanding has
come about merely through difference