The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-08-22
COMMISSIONER OF SCHOOLS.

One of the first things that the su-
preme court will do at the next sitting
in the early part of September. will be
to appoint commissioner of schools.
This is very important Office. The
commissioner is to the school system,
what the general is to an army. With
out bis active supervision, the system
is at best good by parts. He is the.
directing genius that co.ordinates, har;
monizes and unifies the all progressive
educational efforts. Among the candi-
dates for this Office is our. fellow towns
man, Prof. n. L. Nelson. We have
some very strong reasons why he
should be the successful one.
First, he seems to be the choice of
the teaching profession. He was en-
dorsed by the joint teachers insti-
tute of all the southern counties, last
July, and was endorsed few days ago
by the joint teachers institute OF
eight of the middle and northern
counties. This would indicate that his
views and plans are in harmony with
the progressive and representative
educators of the territory-a most nee
essary consideration in an organizer.
Second, he is young man and yet he
has been successful teacher for ten
years. He ia an able lecturer and a
vigorous writer and his talent is wildly
recognized in both these directions.
Now these are the very qualifications
needed in the present stage of our
educational growth. To develop and
lify our school system requires most
zealous missionary efforts. Tbs COM
missioner must travel. visit schools,
lecture to trustees, teachers, patrons.
We have nothing to say against MIR.
Nelson's competitors. They are both,
or perhaps IL is more just 10 say, they
have both been, eminent educators,
but verging as they do upon three score
years, the fire of their educational en-
thusiasm must be burning low, while
in the case OF Mr., Nelson it is ablaze,
and therefore capable of kindling an
enthusiasm in others. Nor is this
TO more Jne VeacuvrsE I @teN- u6YB dg6; ID
the evolution Of the teachers in Utah,
proves his ability to grasp the situation
and bring into play the appropriate
educational factors for improvement.
These qualifications are so well recog
nized that be has the support of both
political parties, indeed the mover OF
tle recent resolution endorsing him
was strong republican, Now, while
we join in his endorsement as citizen,
We are not aboYe urging political rea-
Sons for his appointment. And first.
We note that out of about twenty-five
federal and territorial offices whose
average emolument is greater than
that of this Office, the southern half of
the territory has received but two.
Now Mr.. Nelson is emphatically the
candidate of the southern part of the
territory. 1t is good democracy to dis
tribute equitably the benefits Of Office.
Hence he should be appointed.
Then Mr.. Nelson is staunch dem
ocrat. The Office of commissioner,
while not elective, must nevertheless
be regarded as q very important part
of the record-msking personnel of de-
mocracy. Probably no other officer
will come 30 frequently or so intimately
before the people. Much, therefore.
depends upon this Office, The schools
are In such state as to make spleI-
did record possible, to one who has the
requisite ability and enthusiasm. A
brilliant success will be a decided
plume for the party in '96. But com
parstive failure-and it must be re-
membered that anything but decided
success will be so reg garded-Will be
weakness scarcely to be apologized for.
Now it is from conviction that Pro-
fessor Nelson will thus serve his party
in way to make it strong, that we
give him our hearty support. This we
do from a very intimate acquaintance
with the man personally SIS well as |
with his brilliant professional career.
We trust the appointing power will |
Closely investigate his claims, and if it
does, we feel perfectly assured that
Professor Nel5on's g will be the winning
name.