The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-09-24
Hotchkiss Rnps Regents
for Refusal of Gifts

Ely be removed because his teaching
was "socialistic." This took place IN
1894.
The faculties of number Of state
universities have been disrupted by
political rings guided by improper mo-
tives.
There exists at times the grave
danger that board Of regents may be
appointed by governor for political
purposes and that such board may
attempt to limit the faculty to teach
ing only such things as are approved
by the ring in power.
This danger we can never eliminate.
Freedom of search for truth, like
other phases of our liberties must be
guarded with eternal vigilance.
Admitting that all three sources of
support for universities have been
productive Of abuse in certain cases
is it wise to say that all funds from
all these should be refused. If SO, how
shall we support the universities.
Because tax support has permitted
abuse should all tax support even
though free from abuse, be refused
Because gifts from private sources
have resulted in certain cases of abuse
must all private gifts be refused?
Even if it could be shown that some
gifts of the great educational founda-
tions have been made with wrong pur-
poses (and l have not heard of a
single specific case as yeti must all
of their gifts be refused? Is it abso-
lutely impossible for these founda-
tions to make proper gift for a prop
er purpose?
8. / think everyone will agree that
all gifts improperly made to limit
teaching and research should be re-
fused. Is there any reason why we
cannot also agree that gifts offered
to the university for proper purposes,
and consistent with public welfare,
should all be accepted. If you agree
that this is good judgment can you
refuse to accept the next statement of
principle?
a. Each gift should be carefully
considered as it is offered, and &C
cepted or rejected on it's merits rather
than on any prejudice, religious, po-
litical, economic, or personal, that in
dividual members of the regents may
feel toward the giver.
If this is true is there any defense
for the action of the nine regents in
refusing in advance to accept all gifts
from certain sources.
5. Great gifts from many sources
will in the future be available for the
University Of Wisconsin as they have
| been in the past. Should the rights of
the burdened taxpayers of the state to
benefit from any of these gifts be
denied by nine regents without a
thorough going public discussion and
a carefully formulated public policy
Must the vast profit to civilization and
public welfare from universities teach
ing and research be limited to what
the taxpayers think they can afford,
when wealthy men and foundations are
willing to contribute to this end with
no improper restrictions on their
gifts? sse
1t seems to me to be the height of
reactionary policy to say to the tax
payers 'You shall not have the bene-
fit of any higher education except
that which you pay for out of your
own pockets" And yet this is what we
hear from progressive" administra-
ton, and progressive" press. The
taxpayers of Wisconsin under our
present economic system, have con-
tributed to the building up of the for
tunes that make the great educational
foundations. Are they to be denied any
participation in the benefits when
their legal possessors desire to dis
tribute them I? Must these gifts all go
to the Universities of Iowa and Min
nesota, and Michigan, and Chicago,
and must none of them come to Wis
consin, even though they be offered
with no restrictions and no improper
limitations as to their purpose?
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