Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1898-06-23
Prof. Gault Removed.

lowing light upon the removal of .
Mr.. Gault from the presidency of
the State University:
on Friday last the board of regents declared the
office Of president Of the University vacant. The
board had discussed the question OF the presidency
and IT evident that MIR. Gault could not be re-
elected TO the position. When this fact aseer-
taned both Mr.. Forney and Mr.. Truitt,
informed notified the president Of tine condition Of
affairs and advised him TO resign. This be refused
to do, whereupon the Office was declared vacant It
to be the fate Of every State institution of this
character TO be called upon TO pass through ex-
perience similar to the just closed in Idaho
Some States may have been more fortunate in Sc |
loctng the first president for the state institution Of
learning but far knowledge goes, all have
encountered the same difficulty. 1t seems impossible
at the beginning to impress upon those placed in
charge OF such institutions that they are not Sc
ected to manage either the political or religious al
fairs Of the people.
In Idaho the political activity OF Mr. Gault became
known in every part OF the State. He was not only
active, but he extensively active; he not only
took an active part in politics but he became
spicuously associated with the worst element OF the
party TO which he belonged. Until Mcconnell be-
came governor Of the State, politics had
crossed the threshold OF the State University Gault
had then become Objectionable, in that he
wanted be the entire faculty board Of regents and
State Legislature touching everything relating the
? university. When Mcconnell came into power il
needed but touch Of his political wand to make
OF the president Of the institution political ally
employing all Of the methods of a Tammany politi-
clan and advertising agency in the interests Of
those affiliated with him. The trouble with McCon-
every thing in the to his personal political use
It will be remembered that he carried the ap
pointment OF notaries public officers appointed or
the business convenience OF the people, into the pro
motion of his political schemes and fortunes. II,
9 was political belzebub, who corrupted everything
he touched. Being naturally inclined in the sam,
direction, disposed to and dictate within h,
sphere, Gault carried the same methods into the uni
versty and carried them to such extent Us to hu
initiate his associates whom he treated interiors
and ~ disgrace the State, When Gault became pres
! dent Of the university he soemnly promised thu
' board OF regents not to permit religious, sectaran
i ism political partisanship to be in any manne
connected with the affairs OF the institution. Tn
law creating the university provides, and he agrees
that it should be enforced He violated his promis
u In both respects. Mcconnell, while governor az
@ pointed sufficient members OF the board OF regent.
who should be under his direct control, to dctat
. the action Of the board in emergency. The gov
ernof dictated TO the board Of regents who should
chosen treasurer, and in various other ways intel
). ered with the management of the institution. Gau
II mputent and dctatoral everybody except tn
=, governor, as oil men of his makeup. To tn
governor, whose power to control him under the eli
cumstanoes he fully recognized, he obedier
q turnkey. The governors disposition to NEEDLE
he pf he Ia Inv "a
lowing letter. written to the board before Mr.. Shave
q became the ally Of the governor and Gaut:
Executive Office, State OF Idaho, Boise City jar
IL 49, 1855 To the Secretary and members of the Boar
9 OF Regents, Idaho State University, Moscow Idah,
" Gentemen-l am in receipt OF the fifth annual repoi
I OF your honorable body, and it seems to be yer
l. carefully prepared document and shows clearly thu
the affairs OF the university are in as prosperous
l. condition as could be expected under the circun
stances | notice, however, that the printing OF tn
e report was given to the North Idaho star This is
surprise TO me. Every effort my part has been :
make the university non partisan, but do thin
that the gentlemen O. whom honored by appoint
N ing regents OF the university should have show
~ me sufficient respect to have their printing done /
r office which at least treated with the courtes
n due private citizen The North Idaho Star ha
" failed TO treat in that respectable whic
n public officer has right to expect, and am paine
" that the board OF regents has given its pub
)r Usher their endorsement by giving him the work
printing their report. Very respectfully yours,
e w. J. MCCONNELL Governor.
g, This letter simply conveys a notion Of the entir
methods adopted the institution was managed vi
der Mcconnell and Gault. 1t is not a matter of RI
- greet with that Mr. Gault is removed 1t is ma
i ter OF sincere regret on part that he would
l. and apparently could not, limit his work to the di
r charge of his own duties II his shrewdness and cur
ming rs a politician, and his kindly interest in 81
book trust, and his efforts to build up disreputab
- politicians to whom he considered himself under o.
gations ii, say, all OF the ability and emery
which he has wasted in these directions had been d
voted TO the university, and had he realized that
. was but member of the faculty, just of u
q pebbles the beach In place OF the whole beach,
| OF the summer houses and the ocean which wash,
its Shore he conld have made great president and
> great university and had he desired he migl
have spent his life in building monument whic
n would be far more enduring than the praises of I'll
book trust the smiles OF Mcconnell, Shonp or 30
Browne.
" The people OF this State are determined that til
II university shall be great educational institution
that it shall be nonpartisan and uon-sectaran in
stitutlon and let us hope that the example made o
= Friday last will be such expression OF that dete
mination as to end such practices the universit
Ii officials in the years to come The board did il
duty and their action will receive the approval Of tn
g people Of the State