670 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XI. No. 278. 



less and most undesirable office. One member of 

 the Faculty who held the office for several years, 

 accepted it reluctantly after much persuasion. 



The several difficulties above referred to were 

 never of such moment as to interefere seriously 

 with the steady development of the institution ; 

 the number of students increased continuously, 

 a high standard was always maintained, and 

 the good will of the community was manifested 

 by benefactions of increasing frequency and 

 magnitude. Never were such evidences of pub- 

 lic appreciation so marked, as in the year end- 

 ing with June, 1899, at which time the new 

 president was elected. 



The Faculty had long desired the guidance 

 of a wise president, and to President Ayers the 

 members at once extended the assurance of 

 their cordial co-operation and support. This 

 attitude was not reciprocated. 



From the published statement of the special 

 committee of the Board, we infer that the presi- 

 dent had been fully imbued with the ideas of 

 members of the Board who were opposed to the 

 Faculty. He had asked and received almost ab- 

 solute power. How he has used this power is 

 known. He was made the sole channel of com- 

 munication between the Faculty and the Board, 

 and he has made himself the judge as to what 

 communications should reach the Board. In 

 more than one instance he has withheld from 

 the Board orderly communications addressed to 

 it, and duly entrusted to him for transmission. 



The summary dismissal of the Faculty, in the 

 face of excellent work accomplished and re- 

 corded year after year, raised a storm of public 

 indignation. A committee of prominent citizens, 

 numbering over twenty -five was organized and 

 a subcommittee was then appointed to make a 

 thorough investigation and report. This com- 

 mittee was hard at work for several weeks. 



It is iu evidence that in October, soon after 

 the opening of the term, the President gave a 

 dinner at his house to the members of the Board, 

 and that on this occasion he asked and received 

 pledges of support in whatever he might recom- 

 mend in the way of changes in the Faculty. 



Whatever may have been the advice given to 

 the President, he seems to have surpassed all 

 expectations. Members of the Board have ex- 

 pressed surprise and dissatisfaction, but under 



the circumstances they felt under obligation to 

 support the new administration. 



In conclusion, I refer, for the benefit of all 

 who desire detailed information, to the ' Final 

 Report of the Citizens' Committee on University 

 Affairs ' which will soon be issued in pamphlet 

 form. A synopsis of the pamphlet is as follows : 



1. TJnauspioious opening of the college year. 



2. Abrupt and sweeping demand for resignations- 



3. Emphatic protest and peremptory resignation of 

 Professor Myers in an open letter. 



4. Public opinion finds expression in the organiza- 

 tion of a citizens' committee which forms a subcom- 

 mittee for investigation. 



5. Report of subcommittee to the general commit- 

 tee of citizens. Much light thrown on the situation. 

 The Faculty vindicated and President Ayers arraigned. 

 The subcommittee instructed to appear in behalf of 

 the Faculty at the next meeting of the Board. 



6. Pleas for justice before the Board of Directors. 

 A public hearing of the Faculty requested. A peti- 

 tion of the Faculty for an open investigation returned 

 to the writers by reason of an alleged informality. 

 Special committee of the Board appointed to draw up 

 a reply to the citizens' committee and report at a 

 special meeting. The minority denied representation. 



7. The special committee of the Board makes an 

 elaborate report. Indiscriminate accusations. Gen- 

 eral defense of the Board and of the President. The 

 request of citizens refused. A hearing not granted. 



8. Eesiguation of Professor French. The report 

 accompanying the resignation not presented by the 

 President, although addressed to the Board of Direc- 

 tors. The Board declines to hear the report when a 

 demand therefor is made by one of its members. 



9. Remarkable admissions by President Ayers. 



10. The report of Professor French. 



11. Review of the Board's defense. 



Any one may obtain a copy of this pamphlet 

 by addressing W. N. Hobart, 243 East Pearl 

 street, Cincinnati, Ohio. 



All official statements and reports, pertinent 

 to both sides of the question, are given in full. 

 Thomas French, Jr. 



Cincinnati, April 10, 1900. 



INFORMATION WANTED. 



The psychophysiology of anaesthesia is a 

 productive subject greatly in need of adequate 

 investigation and discussion. Both pure science 

 and practical surgery have doubtless much to 

 gain from a deeper-going study of experiences 



