Arizona republican., 1903-07-14
The University.

In dealing with the tangle at the ter | ritorial university the first necessary | steps have been taken. The resigna- | tion of President Adams and the re- signation of Chancellor Fitch have been accepted. Notwithstanding the excel | lent record made by Professor Adams | during the two years that he was at the head of the institution, and not withstand1ng his great popularity with 1 the alumni and the faculty, his future | usefulness as president was greatly i'm | paired by the situation which the board of regents had created-a fact which | he was first of all to recognize. as evil ! denced by his resignation several weeks ago. Under better surroundings, there is no reason why MT. Adams should not be not only a very valuable educator. but a first-class man in the executive chair. But it was certainly to his in- terest as we'll as to the interest of the territory that his resignation be ac- cepted. His enemies had succeeded in making his position practically intoler- able
 There can be no two opinions as to the propriety of dispensing with the services of Chancellor Fitch. MT. Fitch's ambition to be president of the univer- sity was commendable in itself, as in- dicating a high ambition. But unfor- tunately for him, the people of Arizona have not been convinced that he was fitted for the place, and in view of the record he made as chancellor we do not believe it would have been possible to lead the public to a different opinion concerning him. It was obvious, there fore, that the public interest required his resignation as chancellor.
 Incidentally, we have never seen it satisfactorily explained why the uni versity in it's present stage of develop ment needs a chancellor" What it needs above everything else is an pecially strong president--not only an educator of the first rank and of an established reputation, but man Of tact and address, of forceful individu- ality. having the judicial temperament well manifest, and a talent for building up-in short. the best balanced. the most industrious, and the ablest edu- cator that can be obtained for the sal ary and other inducements connected with the position.
 To find just the right man for presi- dnet is not an easy task. But the em- ployment of a thoroughly satisfactory president is the next step. After that logically, will come a reorganization of the board of regents. In disposing of this unfinished work the chief responsi- bility falls upon Governor Brodie.
 We are inclined to believe that of the applicants now under consideration the most available man for president is Professor William T. Randall of Los Angeles, who for many years was dean of the University of Southern Califor- mia. The objection has been raised as to MT. Randall that he is an ordained minister. If this be true it may be re- grettable, for sectarianism should be obtruded as little as possible in any public institution that is supported by taxes paid by men of all beliefs. Bst under the circumstances it is not a fatal objection, for the presidency of the territorial university does not call for the obtrusive display of the incum- bent's religious faith, and there is no reason why Mir. Randall, for instance, should not make himself entirely satis- factory to the citizens of every re- ligion. The people of Arizona are too broad to care what any mans creed Is so long as he does not make it offen- siYe to others, and this fact applies to the clergy as we'll as to the layman. And in favor of MT. Randall is a most excellent record as an educator, and a reputation for possessing at least some of the very qualities which we have pointed out as requisite. Benjamin Ide Wheeler. himself one of the country's ablest university educators, speaks of MT. Randall in words of unqualified praise.
 Perhaps the most unpleasant duty for the governor to perform in relation to the whole university trouble will be the reorganization of the board of regents. As we have pointed out before, and as has beenurged by practically every other paper of standing and independence the university must be lifted out of the pool of politics and placed in the hands of a board of regents who will be in-
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