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salaries till September 1897. This violent stroke at the con- tinuity of the college, reducing the engagement of professors to the ordinary basis of common schools and ignoring definite con- tracts, I had opposed, as detrimental to any institution, assur- ing the board that any teachers who might not be acceptable would doubtless resign if asked. The minority regents also opposed the resolution, and after its passage offered a protest which was denied a record.
It being proposed to defer further action till the summer vacation in June, I, after a night of deliberation, urged imme- diate action by reappointment of acceptable members ; and to relieve any embarrassment on personal accounts declined to be a candidate for the presidency, or to accept reelection if tendered. I was then told that the majority had decided upon action at once, intending to request my withdrawal, but I had anticipated them. Mr. Hoffman was eulogistic upon my manage- ment of college matters, saying that they could not expect to find another as able to carry the details of the executive office ; but stated that I differed from the board upon fundamental principles of distribution of wealth ; that the party had been twitted in the campaign with being the party of the ignorant, and it was time to show the people that leaders in education could be found to sustain the party movement from a state institution.
The work of reorganization was carried on by a committee on which no republican member was named, and every action was settled in caucus before being reported to the board. The election of Professor Will was followed the same day by the selection of eight former teachers "for such positions as the board may hereafter designate," and next day by the naming of seven more "for chairs and positions hereafter designated by the board." Later several subordinates were named. Those selected were invited before the committee to express their acceptance of the places offered, and of the new regime to be inaugurated. One professor and one stenographer declined, and one superintendent has since resigned for reasons connected with the reorganization.
