The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-12

Hon. William j. Cocker, candidate
for reelection as regent of Michigan
University. is English bN birth, but a
thorough Michigan University man in
education, sentiment and affection. His
father, Benjamin Il. Cocker, was first
well known In this state as a leading
Methodist clergyman in Detroit con-
ference, but completed his honorable
and useful career as professor of men-
tai and moral philosophy in the Uni
versity, position to which he was
chosen in 1869. The son, who Is the
subject of this sketch, took his pre-
paratOry studies at the Ann Arbor
High school, and entered the academ-
ical department of the University in
1864. He graduated in 1869, having
in the interim, served one year as as
sistant librarian. After graduation he
removed to Adrian, where he was for
ten years principal Of the High school,
and five years superintendent OF
schools, besides serving for term on
the school board.
These experiences were sufficient to
tie him to educational interests, but
Mr. Cocker has, in addition, accom-
plished something in authorship. His
first book was a small text book on
punctuation, published by A. s. Barnes
& Co., of New York. The second was
book on the civil government Of
Michigan, which is published by the
Richmond IL Backus Co., and has al
ready reached its fourteenth edition.
He has also written larger work on
the government Of the United States,
published by Harper Bros, of New
York. This has been translated into
Spanish, and published by the govern
ment press of Guatemala, with long
introduction by Valero Pujal, once
colleague Of Emilio Castelar,, now a
member of the Spanish Royal AGA
denny and one Of the most distinguish
ed citizens of Guatemala.
But in addition to his scholastic and
literary pursuits Mr.. Cocker has had
business training as well. He has for
some years been president of the Com
mercial Savings Bank Of Adrian, has
extensive business interests of his
own, and is a member of the executive
committee of the American Bankers
Association.
In his official capacity as regent
this business experience has been of
great service. Though the funds Of
the University were always carefully
husbanded the method of their distri-
button which had prevailed for some
years was neither systematic nor
satisfactory. At each meeting of tn
board the immediate needs Of each
department, as presented at the time,
We're considered and appropriations
made accordingly The departments
whose heads were the most persistent
in their applications, were apt to get
more than their fair proportion, and
the appropriations were sometimes ex-
hausted before the end of the year.
For this haphaZard method Regent
Cocker, as chairman Of the financia!
committee for several years, has in
troduced much more systematic
procedure. He first visited number
of the eastern universities, reported
upon their methods and proposed the
plan since adopted. Under it the re-
gents at the beginning of the year
make careful estimate of their total
resources, and careful inquiry into the
needs of each department. They then
make an apportionment of funds to
each department to be drawn only as
needed, and not in any case td be ex-
end of the year it is returned to the
general fund, and reapportioned. Under
this method, which must commend it.
self to every business man, neither the
University nor any of its departments
has in any year gone beyond it's in
come.
In the general concerns Of the Uni
versity Regent Cocker has taken an
~ nd iYata s,,tn sno
his seven years service he has never
missed meeting of the board, ex-
cept when he was out of the state, and
has usually gone to Ann Arbor day
or two in advance of the meetings in
order to inform himself thoroughly in
reference to the business in hand. His
reelection, by handsome majority,
will be as much a benefit to the Uni.
verslty as it will be a deserved COM
pliment to himself.