Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/416

This page needs to be proofread.

402 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

lems that lie wholly without the province of such institutions ; and by the unusual proceedings of the recent legislature and the present board of regents this policy has been overthrown, officers and employe's of admitted efficiency have been dismissed, and a policy has been mapped out which makes party fealty the primary test for purely educational and scientific positions. We recognize in this change of policy a dangerous precedent, and pledge ourselves to labor by all honorable means for the divorcement of our state institutions from political influence and control. We regret the disas- trous effects that must necessarily result in the experiment station con- nected with the college from the unavoidable break in the continuity of the series of experiments now under way.

Resolved, That we again urge with added emphasis the appointment of one or more members of the alumni to the board of regents. For the retir- ing members of the faculty, we express the hope that their lines may fall in pleasant places where their good qualities may continue to exert an influence in the enlightenment and upbuilding of such as we. For our alma mater, we will labor as we have done in the past, that its influence for good may bless many more of the young men and young women of the great state of Kansas.

Resolved, That the president of this association be directed to appoint a committee of five alumni to devise a plan to secure the appointment in the future of regents of the college, in such manner and by such authorities that political considerations shall have the minimum possible influence in deter- mining the policy of the college and the personnel of the faculty.

Resolved, That the committee thus created be directed to present such plan with recommendations at the next annual meeting of this association, and that they be authorized to publish their plans at any time previous to such meeting if they see fit.

Up to this time little had been said as to other than political reasons for any action of the board. A few counter charges of political partisanship against myself were offered by local poli- ticians, but were so utterly unsupported as to strike back. A single professor who insisted that a statement of cause for dis- missal was due, received from Regent Hoffman notice that he was " discharged for general inefficiency" and a minute to that effect was afterward entered upon the records, though the salary of this professor alone had been increased, with Mr. Hoffman's approval in committee, one year before.

The payment of salaries to September I, as contracted, was