The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-05
IN WOMER LETTER
Edwin A. Menninger Charges
WRshburn AutOcracy.
He demands Publicity Be Given
to Affairs.
RECALLS BULLOCK AFFAIR
Active Alumnus Opposes Dis
d missaIs Without Hearing.
He Charges Fostering of Aca-
demic Lynch Law.
RECALLS BULLOCK AFFAIR

Tho Womer-Kirkpatrick controver-
sy at Washburn college continues to
simmer despite The fact that the col
lege professore have organized I'M
ion and President Womer and the
board of trustees have agreed to give
Professor Kirkpatrick a hearing on
the charges which resulted in his dis
mirsaI from the faculty. Edwin A.
Menninger. of New York City. we'll
known alumnus of the college. and one
of it's most enthusiastic supporters
has written a letter to DR.. Womer, de-
handing that publicity be given to
the Kirkpatrick affair and also that
the public be informed why other
members Of the faculty were dismissed
By President Womer.
Menninger's letter is given below in
full follows:
My dear Doctor Womer:
You were good enough to reply on May
10 to my inquiry regarding certain develop
mcntS in the situation at Washburn in the
past yenr; Although your letter was not
had not intended to carry the matter
further But with the latest news that
reaches me from my alma mnter. I feel that
ought to take the subject up with you
As suggested in my earlier letter. I was
surprised and disappointed that you
should have found 1t necessary to dismiss
ANSA Bullock frOm the Wnshburn faculty
! did not mention the coinCident dismissnis
OF Miss Meek and Dean Whitehouse be-
cause Miss Bulocks case seemed a fair
Example of the apparent injustice that was
being done. But now 20 this list has been
added Mr. Kirkpatrick who with all his
faults. is too valuable man for Wash
burn 70 lose under any circumstances
much less under the queer manner Of his
dismissal as reported in the Topeka news
. papers.
n no In
category. You informed me that Miss Bull
locks dismissal was for reasons you con-
were. but it Will be very difficult to get
people who know Miss Bullock and who
Know anything about education to believe
this Her scholarship. her personality and
her conspicuous success as a teacher made
her one of the most important factors
IN maintaining the educational standard of
l take her case rs an example Of all.
She was dismissed without hearing.
Neither she nor her friends had any op-
portunity to reply TO the supposed reasons
for her dismissal, whatever they were. You
decided, apparently that you I'D not want
that the end OF it. If those reasons
were. rs You state. perfectly valid" they
Will stand the light OF publicity and even
tho 1 admit there are, as you say,
rsome things to be done by the head Of a
college without consulting the alumni" I
contend that those others of us who have
fought AMI given to help make Whshburn
what she is.-and include Miss Bullock in
perfectly valid reasons were;
Now Professor kirkpatrick has been
asked to resign. When he refused, he was
dismissed by the board Of trustees. Who
suggested the resignation or who induced
the action of the board of trustees I do
not know. but do know that Mr.. Kirk
patrick asked for q hearing before the case
was finally settled and this denied
him. He was denied the rights Of free
citizen Even the rights of a criminal.
who. under the fourth amendment to the
constitution Of the United states may have
definite published charge, were refused Mr..
Kirkpatrick. He had only the rights Of a
serf bound to hts lord and master.
II Is AutOcracy.
The handling of his case-weil illustrated
the principle Of autocracy-the principle Of
POLITICAL government which died on No
yember IL. 19lS-and the world hates 1t
Just MS much in college government as in
civil government.
Dismissal without hearing is m essen
tial characteristic of the lynch law that
rules execution without trial" 1t is as
sumed that the prisoner is guilty and he
has no rights that others are bound to
respect You and the board OF trustees
by disnssing professors without hear
iur. have set up sort of academic lynch
/ believe you are honest in your per
fccfly valid" reasons. But there are those
should welcome n hearing before impartial
Judges. II your cases against these four
dismissed professors are good, you will
DO vindicated; II your cases are not good,
you do nor want to be unjust
have no knowledge of the specific
charges in any one Of the four cases. But
they do not enter in here what 1 oppose
mud will fight to the last ditch is the auto
cratic method OF procedure involved. ms I
see II. ! do not understand why a college
should practice that which vitiates a court
or Justice or state,-nnd this should apply
peculiarly 10 n Christian college.
A college can thrive insofar as IL COM
1uandS the respect and confidence of its
alumni and friends. The course which you
seem 70 have followed in the instances sug-
gcsted here. ! believe. cannot command
the confidence and sympathy Of the citizens
OF free country. ~
with the kndest personal regard for
yourself and Mrs. Womer.-I am, -.
Sincerely yours.
EDWIN A. NIENNINGER.
4 summer Tonic Drink.