Ross Affair: Notebook containing D. S. Jordan's statement with exhibits and ptd. report of Committee of Economists

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letters, they became the basis, as already shown,of the report of the committee of economists. A copy of this report (Exhibit "T") is included herewith.

3. As to the matter of responsibility. It must be clear from the records that the responsibility for each and every act in the Ross case properly rests with the President, to whom the power of removal is entrusted by the deed of grant under which the University was founded. The President removed Dr. Ross in 1896. He it was who established the probationary status under which he was retained until 1900, and it was the President who summarily dismissed him in 1900. The responsibility for these acts cannot to shared with or charged to the Founder.

Finally, in the dismissal of Dr. Ross there was involved no question of freedom of investigation or of class-room teaching. In no case, unsound as many of his ideas were in the estimation of the President, were the opinions of Dr. Ross on silver, on immigration, municipal ownership, socialism or protection, on anti-imperialism, the spoils system or strikes, or on any other subject, considered publicly or privately with reference to his retention in the University. It is not to be understood that if a second case of this kind should arise such opinions would not be considered and would not form a material factor. Erratic opinions indicate erratic character and stability of character and validity of opinion are essential to sound teaching. The man or body of men holding the appointing power to a University is responsible for the fitness of the men who con-

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constitute its teaching force. The chief lesson I draw from all this is that the American university of the future must more be severe in its standards. It cannot afford to stand responsible for the whims and fads of its clever young men who diffuse University ideals with their ears on the mob and their eyes on the newspaper.

President.

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APPENDIX TO THE ROSS CASE.

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EXHIBIT "A".

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

Palo Alto, Cal., Feb. 6, 1893.

Dr. Edward A. Ross, Cornell University Ithaca, N. Y.

Dear Sir:

You are hereby appointed Professor of Administration and Finance in the Leland Stanford Junior University at a salary of $3500 per year beginning August 1st, 1893.

Any change of title which may be mutually satisfactory to yourself and your colleague, Dr. Warner, will be acceptable to me. It is understood that for the present the general range of Political, Social and Administrative science will be divided between you with the aid of Assistant Professor Clark.

Very truly yours, David S. Jordan, President.

(Copy)

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EXHIBIT "B".

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

March 25, 1897.

With the approval of Mrs. Leland Stanford, you are appointed Professor of Sociology in Leland Stanford Junior University for one year, beginning August 1, 1897, at a nominal salary of $3500 per annum, subject to such deduction as the financial condition of the University may render necessary, (probably about ten per cent).

David S. Jordan,

President.

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EXHIBIT "C".

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

MEMORANDUM.

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 1897-1898 on the present terms, and that in 1898-1899 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 August 1, 1897, if it be deemed desirable for the interests of the University.

April 8, 1897. David S. Jordan,

President

(Copy)

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