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Leland Stanford Junior University

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Stanford University, Cal., May 28, 1901

EXHIBIT ''Q''.

Dear Sir:

The following circular letter, undated, mailed May
27th, 1901, in San Francisco, has been received by members
of the Faculty of Stanford University:

The University of Nebraska

Lincoln.

Dear Sir:

I wish to bring to the attention of my former
Colleagues a matter of fact touching my honor.

Many seem to have the impression that in 1897 I allowed
my footing in the University to be changed. I wish therefore
to state distinctly that I never accepted a peculiar, irregular
or probational status in Leland Stanford Junior University.

The contrary impression appears to arise from a document
dated April 3, 1897 which is addressed to me and is in the
form of reappointment for 1897-8 and a leave of absence on
half pay for 1898-9, but attaches the condition that I am to
hand in at once my resignation as Professor of Sociology the
same to be ultimately accepted by the President if the best
interests of the University should seem to require it.

Surely, in showing this document as evidence of my probation-
al status, the University authorities must have forgotten that
it is now in their hands because I promptly returned it to the
President with the statement that I was unwilling to comply with
its terms. They overlook the fact that I never wrote the resig-
nation it called for and cannot that in consequence of my pro-
test the document was revoked and I received on April 8, 1897
a reappointment absolutely without conditions.

Very respectfully yours,

Signed, E. A. Ross.

Under date of April 8th, the following memorandum, a copy
of which is on record, was mailed to Professor Ross:

Memorandum.

To Dr. E. A. Ross:

It is understood that unless Dr. Ross should choose to do
otherwise, he shall retain the Professorship of Social Science
for 1897-98 on the present terms, and that in 1898-99 he shall
have the usual sabbatical year on the same terms as other
professors, if such leave of absence be then granted. It is
further understood that he shall retire from the University