[Letter] June 28,1891,Smith College [to F.H. Giddings]

June 28, 1891, Smith College.

Dear Friend,
       Heartiest
congratulations. It is clear that you
do not need any offers
from the west. I am
much more likely to need
them. On the day before
he started for Europe our
President directed the
Secretary of the trustees to
notify us all that we
were "reappointed for one
year." This arbitrarily
puts us all on annual
appointments. I at once
notified the Secretary that
I would not accept an
annual appointment.
What the others may do
I know not; but they are
sufficiently angry. The act
was without the knowledge
of the trustees themselves.
I find that a vote has
been annually taken which
is liable to such a
construction as the President's
act puts on it. I do
not think the facts can
remain secret long; but
would rather they would not become known
just now by my act, and will ask
that you keep the information as
confidential. I have telegraphed to know
whether the Evanston position is still open,
and expect to receive a letter in reply about
Tuesday A.M. It is not impossible that I
might be glad of the Wisconsin appointment.
There is one - a better one - about which
some overtures have been made to me in the
profoundest confidence. I will tell you of this
in full as soon as I am at liberty
to do so. I regard my connection with
this college as abruptly terminated by the
President's act. The man has, indeed, blundered
and will probably be surprised at the way in
which I interpret the facts of the situation; but
in consistency I have not been able to
find any other interpretation of them.
Well - this is a world of surprises; is it
not?

      Yours Very Truly,
           J. B. Clark