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

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Exhibit "P".

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 a 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 document as evidence of my probational 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overlook the fact that I never wrote the resignation it called for and that in consequence of my protest the document was revoked and I received on April 8, 1897 a reappointment absolutely without conditions.

Very respectfully yours,

Signed, E.A. Ross. (Copy)

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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 probational 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 resignation it called for and cannot that in consequence of my protest 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

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August 1, 1897, if it be deemed desirable for the interests of the University.

April 8, 1897.

The document of earlier date to which Professor Ross refers and with the terms of which he was unwilling to comply reads as follows: (Original draft in President Jordan's handwriting is on file.)

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 1898-9 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 in due time he shall file with the President of the University a letter of resignation, to take effect August 1, 1899, and that the President shall be free to accept or decline this resignation without criticism or prejudice, as he may think best for the good of the University.

Signed, David S. Jordan.

April 2, 1897.

The official memorandum of April 8th has been shown to members of the Faculty Council as evidence of Professor Ross's uncertain status in the University in 1897.

Signed, G. A. Clark,

Secretary to the University.

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Copy

Exhibit "R".

San Francisco, Cal.,

1457 Clay Street,

June 11, 1901.

Dear Sir:

A copy of a circular letter dated May 28, sent by you to members of the Faculty of Stanford University, has come into my hands. Until I saw that letter I had believed that the circular letter of Dr. Ross, which you include in your communication, contained the exact facts regarding the appointment of Professor Ross in 1897. The additional facts disclosed by your letter were absolutely unknown to me. I did not know of the existence of the memorandum of April 8 nor of the memorandum of April 2; although I had heard of an alleged appointment of April 3, being in substance nearly the same as the document of April 2. I do not see that the position of the University authorities in the case of the enforced resignation of Professor Ross is in any way strengthened by these memoranda. On the country they, with the attendant circumstances, show beyond reasonable doubt that President Jordan was willing to punish a member of the Faculty for what he had said in the discussion of public questions.

As a matter of record I have deemed it just to make the foregoing statement. Will you oblige me by placing this letter on file and showing it, at your convenience, to President Jordan and to the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means?

Very truly yours,

George E. Howard.

Mr. G. A. Clark,

Secretary.

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EXHIBIT ''S''.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT:

LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

Stanford, Nov. 19, 1900.

Dear Mr. Clark:

Will you kindly call on Dr. Ross this morning in company with a witness and ask him to return certain papers in his possession?

1. A letter from President ****, lent him about a month ago.

2. A carbon copy of a letter to President *****, of which the first is an answer.

3. A copy of a letter written in defense of Dr. Ross to Mrs. Stanford

This copy was sent him by you at my request to enable him to write to her to better advantage in his own justification, and he had my permission to use either of these confidentially with college officials in event of his honorable withdrawal.

As he has intimated to me a purpose to make different use of these letters, and one which seems to the writer an unjustified one, I wish you to secure their return to the files of your office.

Very truly yours,

David S. Jordan.

(Copy)