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Permit me, Gentlemen, to subjoin to each of the allegations contained in my communication of the 27ulto, a few references to the Journal of the Faculty.
1o
"The discipline is lax, and impunity an
occurrence of every day life"
Last Friday week, a student,1
notorious for his improprietry of conduct and who had been once suspended for
drunkeness, was reported for having gone to than one week thereafter; a majority of the
Faculty actually reinstated him in all his rights and privileges.
About a fortnight ago, another student,2 was brought and admonished before the Faculty for the FIFTEENTH time! — and for no trivial offences.
2 o. "If in addition to his
manifold tribulations, we add a disposition on the part of his colleagues to
drive him to a resignation by withholding their support, or if such a belief
is current among the students
. . . "
The first part of this sentence must not be taken in an absolute sense; for, indeed, I have in the Faculty, friends who have always supported me. This is a mere inference, the truth of which must be drawn from the following cases, and the treatment which I have always received at the hands of some of my colleagues.
As to the alternative "or if such a belief is current among the students
. . . " I must be permitted to say that it
does not admit of any doubt. The belief is and has
been current for sometime, that the Faculty is not disposed to sustain me in the
enforcement of the college discipline; and it is to this opinion that I and
several of my friends of the Faculty, ascribe chiefly the difficulties which I
find in the discharge of my duties.
3o
"Strange as it may appear to those who are not
familiar with the proceedings of this Faculty such a letter was
accepted."
The facts set forth in the letter of the 27th ulto, speak
enough of themselves; but to give an idea of the latitude with which students
are permitted to treat the Faculty, as a Faculty, I
beg leave to give the following instances.
Not long since, Mr
— "Mr.
— "Because I choose to do it!"
No notice whatever was taken of that reply.
Last week, he was summoned again, and there in the presence of all the officers he would constantly replicate, interrupt his admonishers, speak and retort and not in the kindest manner. The President tells him to be silent — No, I won't! — I wish you to retire — I'll go when I am ready!
Mr.
As to the style of Mr.
In regard to the four cases cited, I will content myself with quoting the Faculty Journal
1.a. Thursday Oct. 4th 1855
"Messrs
Perhaps it will not be amiss to repeat here the words of that letter:
"Gov
2.b. November 13th 1855
"Mr
3.c. Feb. 15th 1856.
"Mr.
4:d. Aug. 14th 1856.
"
The following statement, which is on the margin of the book, was inserted about
two weeks after the vote had been taken, and at the instance of Gov.
"because there was not a full meeting of the Faculty, and no application
had been made according to the usages of the
The Ayes were — Profs.
Nays: Profesr.
Prof.
I wish to state here, that if such be the written rule, it is not always the rule
of practice. Oftentimes, (as the Journal will show — for there are
three cases as mine to one according to the strict rule—) the delinquent is brought
before the Faculty; a motion is made to dismiss him; and then one of the members
moves to postpone the case until there is a full attendance of the Faculty. I
have, within the last two sessions, heard Dr
This last case, occurred during the recitation from 5 to 6 P.M; and Mr
But I ask, with due respect, if the motion was so
This however is of no importance whatever and does not at all touch the merits of the case; for, on the very next Friday, when there was a full meeting of the Faculty, the motion was again made — quite in order, this time, and lost by the same vote. i.e.:
Appendix Second to the minutes of August 15 th. 1856: which the Faculty directed to be placed on record Oct. 9th. 1856The motion to dismiss
Wm Whitaker being now renewed, the following vote was takenAyes — Messrs
Mitchell ,Phillips ,Fetter Wheat ,Shipp andBrown .Nays — Messrs
Hubbard ,Hedrick ,Pool ,Lucas ,Battle andWetmore .Prof
C. Phillips declined to vote.A true copy.
A. G. Brown
Secretary of Faculty
Having reported the case, I did not vote.
It was to avoid the argument." Why — the case is still
open" — that notwithstanding the above vote, I waited until
a reply had been received from Mr
"No motion was substituted in its
place."
According to the rule of practice here, as well as elsewhere, the privilege to
move for a reconsideration of a vote, belongs exclusively to those who form the
majority. As they did not move in the matter, and let
two or three meetings pass without doing so, my friends and myself considered
the matter as brought to a close.
Now, I ask — what else could I do, but to appeal to the well known impartiality of the Trustees?
I have heard it urged this way, that they voted against the motion on account of
the threat or comittal I had made. But it seems to me, that sound logic requires
that the Faculty should first vote upon the merits of the case. If the charge is
proved, let the delinquent be punished. If the charge is not proved, then it is
time to consider whether the Facultydeserved to have been sent off!
It is also alleged that I have had many difficulties with the students.
Had I been willing to submit to the whims and indolence of our students, it is
self evident that the Faculty would never have heard of any such difficulties.
We see that every day! But, these difficulties are chiefly to be ascribed to the
prejudice which exists here against foreigners in general. As a prof, I beg
leave to state, that in the three years and a half I have been connected with
the Four
personal difficulties. Two arose in the discharge of my duties; and the classes
themselves acknowledged individually to me that I was not to blame; and the
other two, were with men whom I did not teach, that I had never seen or spoken
to in my life! One1 looked at me;
and I beheld his features for the first time when brought before the Faculty by
somebody else; The other,[2] whom I
did not even know by name, cursed me in the public streets
If I may be permitted to speak again of Mr now made to clothe Mr
The Faculty, or some of its members, appeal to the fact that when they used to
recommend my services, they never availed themselves of the privilege of turning
me out. But I must say in reply, that nearly two
years have elapsed since they had a chance, and but for the kind
intercession of the then, are the very ones who vote
against me now.
I have appealed to you, Gentlemen, because you have always treated me kindly, justly and with generosity. And at this very moment, in the stillness of the night, I feel that you will do me justice!