The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-06-26
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.


Every reform, large or small, il
seems must carry with it an incubu:
of crafty, scheeming politicians who at
tempt to bring the matter which is to
be reformed into their own control,
that either their political chicanery or
their inordinate greed for a little
power might be satisfied. The world
Is full Of s'little men" who fan the
waves of public prejudice that they
may attain u little notoriety. They
seem willing at any and all times &c
subordinate the public veal for a lit
tie cheap advertising. Their policy is
rule or ruin, and it matters not which.
these ''little fellows" are content If to
themselves they can draw the credit
for the result. A few weeks ago some
reforms in our state university were
suggested. The of opinion
was, and is, that there should be some
changes in the faculty of that institu-
ton. By those posted concerning the
situation it was thought that there
should be more Missourians IN the fac
ulty; that in some instances changes
could be made that would be to the in
terest of the school.
The suggestion of any change what
ever brought forth the report that a
general overhauling was to take place.
The s'penny a liners" who are allowed
to do business in Columbia and who
would not be tolerated anywhere else
sent out the report that President Jesse
was a failure in his position and would
be retired by the board. The metro
politan papers of course published the
ssrot'' and paid the "dudes'' at the other
end of the line their s'penny for the
lie."
The fact of the business is that there
is not in any quarter of the state a de-
mand for the removal of President
Jesse. There is a demand for a few
changes in the faculty and with this
demand the board is fully apprized and
will doubtless act in accord Herewith.
But there is no demand for q change OF
presidents. The people of this state
who know anything about the state uni
versity know that the administration of
President Jesse has been remarkably
acceptable and successful. When he
assumed the presidency of the institu-
ton about six years age he found with
In the school itself strife, jealousies and
disorganizatIon. He found buildings
there worth perhaps $200, 900. He
found an attendance ranging around
400. He found an Institution which
Internal troubles had put in disfavor
with the people.
To-day we find there as fine build
on the University campus as were
aver dedicated to education. We find
large endowment, (thongh not yet
We hnd organized work
going on, and an attendance of about
100 students.
Every department has been strength
med. His work has been indeed sue
,essful and he must not be allowed to
the victim of scheming, crafty
politicians who whittle goods boxes for
pleasure and lobby with legislatures
Or q living.
Seine changes are needed In the
University. For these President Jesse
not responsible. He don't elect the
If there r instructors
here, who should not be there, the
lies with the board of cura-
ors and not with President Jesse.
me people Of this state want some
IN the university, but they
re not willing that President Jesse's
xcellent record and ability shall suffer
be wiles of the 'spenny a liner" or the
manipulation.