Evening star., 1939-02-07
Cayton Resigns
Faculty, Hits
Howard j.
Judge Hopes Action
Will Bring Change
In Conditions

In (0ndltlonS
Vigorously criticizing administra-
tive conditions at Howard Unlver-
sity, Municipal Court Judge Nathan
Cayton in protest today rendered his
resignation from the law faculty Of
the colored educational institution,
in the hope that by this action
attention may somehow be focused
upon those conditions in such way
as to force (suchO correction"
A law instructor at Howard for
decade, Judge Cayton made known
his intention in letter to the presi-
dent and trustees of the university,
in which he assailed the indecent"
manner in which Judge James A.
Cobb was booted" from the faculty,
and enumerated other matters which
led him to adopt this course.
Judge Cobb, leader in the colored
bar, was formerly in Municipal
Court.
At the university, President Nor
decai w. johnson was reported sick
in bed. His Office, however, said
Judge Cayton's resignation had
been received in the morning mail.
William E. Taylor, acting dean
Of the Law School, expressed sur
prise at the resignation and said he.
had not even been aware of the
judges intention to resign. Mr..
Taylor declined to comment on the
charges in Judge Cayton's letter
unless DR.. johnson should refer the
matter to him. He characterized
Judge Cayton's service as efficient"
and said he would be very sorry to
lose him.
Text of Letter.
The text of Judge Caytons letter
follows:
With real sorrow I resign as a
member of the law faculty. tender
this resignation after a decade of
harmonious and cordial relations
with the officers, faculty and student
body. have no personal grievances
to air. 1 deem it my duty, however.
to give voice to the inescapable and
continuing protest feel against the
manner in which the affairs of the
university are being conducted.
Il protest against the indecent
manner in which Judge James A.
Cobb. a distinguished alunnus and
senior member of the law faculty,
was unceremoniously booted" out
of his position. in a star chamber.
ex parte meeting. without notice and
without hearing.
Il protest against the tempera-
mental manner in which appoint
ments to and dismissals from the
faculties have been made and
against the constant turmoil and
uncertainty within the faculties.
evidenced by numerous complaints
against the leadership of the uni
versity and evidenced further by
repeated litigation in which the uni
versity has become involved.
Sees Good Will Endangered.
Il protest against an attitude
which is seemingly forgetful of
public opinion and disdainful of
public good will, which the univer-
sity SO sorely needs, particularly
since it is through public money
appropriated to the use of Howard
University that its continued exist
ence is made possible
Il protest against the situation
which finds the management of
the university and the alumni of
the university constantly and often
bitterly at odds and gives no prom
Use of a satisfactory solution.
MY services on the law faculty
has brought me the greatest per-
sonal pleasure, and it had always
been my hope that I might con-
tinue in such service Indefinitely.
AS a matter of fact, when the
pressure of work made it neces-
sary to curtail my teaching work
last year I had no hesitancy in re-
linquishing a happy teaching posi-
ton in my own alma mater rather
than leave Howard University.
II now leave it because I can
not longer remain silent in the face
of conditions which need correc-
ton so badly. I hope attention
may somehow be focused upon these
conditions in such way as to
force such correction.
"Mv course for the school wear
has been completed; thus my de-
parture at this time will not in
convenience my students or the
university"