The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-10-18
AGAINST THE FIELD.
Board of Control Has Everything Elst
Arrayed Against II.

WlnneapOlls journal:
It's the board of control against the
field.
The battle between the normal
schools and the state board of control
is of greater import than appears on
the surface.
In the first place, it will be great
legal conflict, with all the educational
institutions of 1.-The state arrayed
against the board of control. The suit
which will be brought by the normal
board will involve the broad question
of the authority of the board of con-
troll over all the educational institu-
tions, and in all probability the uni
versity will ask permission to inter
vene. The board of managers for the
schools for the blind and deaf at Fari-
bault also have an interest in the out
come.
President A. T. Ankeny of the nor
NAL board is inclined to favor quo
warranto proceeding, instead of the
method outlined yesterday. This can
be brought.by the attorney general in
the supreme court direct, and deter
mined at this term. AS far as the at
torney general is concerned it will be
friendly suit, and the board of con-
troll members declare that they well
come it, being only anxious to have
the scope of their authority finally de-
ternined5
The legal battle is only one phase o
the situation. Back of it, the board of
control is on trial. before the people of
Minnesota. The wrangle between two
sets of state officers is regarded as
most unfortunate. from every point of
view, and is deprecated by the state
administration. The governor advo-
Gated the board of control and ap-
pointed its members, and is held in a
measure responsible.
The question has repeatedly been
asked: Why has not Governor Van
SAINT interfered and brought about an
Adjustment
The answer is, he has interfered.
He has besought the board of control
to adjnst the difficulty and stop the
unseemly row. The board was ap-
pointed by the governor, but has taken
the bit in its teeth and the executive e
advice was unheeded.
State Auditor Dunn, the original
board-.of control man, has also inter
ested himself. 1t was his influence,
exerted on.the board of control, that
brought about the conference of last
Saturday. which promised much, but
owing to the persistent refusal of the
board of control to make single con-
cession, that conference as fruitless.
State Superintendent Olsen as a
member of the normal board worked
persistently for harmony, and urged
patience an conference with the board
of control Like Governor Van SAINT
and State Auditor Dunn, he did not
want to see the board of control system
jeopardized by a continual jangle.
Largely by the efforts OF Mr.. Olsen
and President Ankeny, the normal
board maintained an attitude of COM
promise, but the board of control tram
pied on every proposition made, and
Mr.. Olsen is now as determined as any
member of the normal board to resist
the board of control and fight it to the
finish.
The board of control members have
to all appearances estranged their best
friends. State officials declare that
the board g course has been absolutely
fac tless and arbitrary. 1t is feared
that they are endangering the success
of the system, which properly handled
promises such great results. A month
ago it seemed likely that the extra
session of the legislature would amend
the act and put the educational insti-
tutions under the board of control II