Jane Lathrop Stanford Papers

29

Exhibit "N."

May 21, 1900.

Mrs. Stanford,

My dear Friend:

I must tell you frankly and fully my own impression of Dr. Ross. I am sure that if you knew him as I do, no outside criticism could shake your confidence in him.

Dr. Ross has faults, no doubt; but they are neither dangerous nor incurable. They are the faults of enthusiasm and conscientiousness. He is not a politician nor a fanatic: not an agitator nor a socialist; nor has he anything in common with these classes.

It is his business as a professor of Social Science to study movements and results of social changes, and to look at them from both sides. This brings him into public criticism more than if he worked in other fields, because these are all public matters. Every professor of social or political science has had the same experience in greater or less degree. If he be honest and strong, he will cross some one's opinions or prejudices or interests. Dr. Branner, for example, teaches Geology, which comes in no conflict with politicians; yet it is not many years ago that he was hanged and burned in effigy for telling the truth about a fraudulent mine called the ''lost Louisiana.''

The only ground for real criticism Dr. Ross has ever given was four years ago. As a "Sliver [sic Silver] Republican'', he was convinced what the evils of the gold standard -- evils which Mr. Stanford clearly recognized and tried to cure in another way -- could