Dewey Leaves for Minnesota
With Morris firmly entrenched as chairman of the Department of Philosophy, Dewey accepted an offer from the University of Minnesota to take charge of their philosophy department. Despite a significantly lower enrollment, Minnesota held the promise of a growing institution, an opportunity to head a department, and perhaps most significantly, a sizable increase in pay to $2,400.32 At their March 1888 meeting, the University of Michigan Board of Regents accepted Dewey's resignation effective October 1, 1888. The annual report for that year acknowledged Dewey's departure and confirmed the wisdom of Minnesotans decision, noting, "He has shown by his ability, learning, and skill as a teacher that his promotion to a full chair is well merited . . . our best wishes follow him to his new field."33 W. S. Hough was appointed to fill the junior professorship vacated by Dewey.
When George Morris died unexpectedly of pneumonia in March 1889, the University of Michigan enticed Dewey to return and take over for his former mentor. In April 1889 Dewey accepted the chairmanship of the Department of Philosophy, to begin his new duties on October 1, although at a salary of $2,200, a drop in pay from Minnesota.34 Hough once again replaced Dewey, this time at Minnesota.
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