The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-04-17

IeIOT1uSES, WllO are ScuSlllNC DIS W the
charge that the youth of the state are
not well cared for in Madison, and it
is unlikely Groves can defy them all.
There are many earnest men Of the
faculty who are thoroughly aroused
OH this subject and the end will not
be until we have an administration
jealous of the city's good name.
University Doings.
1t is likely the regents at their meet
ing this month will name a president
of the state university and the gossips
have it that it is surely Professor
Van Hise, the geologist. With Turner,
the historian, and Doctor Ely, he is
perhaps the best known in the realm
of scholars. He is a prominent figure
in the new Carnegie scientific re-
search movement, to which the iron
master has given $10,OOO,OO0, and it
is said Professor Van Hise has
$15O,000 slice of it with which to do
certain things in his line this summer.
Professor Van IIise will be acceptable
to all as an executive, though he will
likely accept it in response to the call
of duty, for pure science must most
interest him.. The fact is, the modern
college presidency is about the most
difficulty post to fill. One can name Il
dozen men equal to the cabinet posi-
ton, for one fit man to head a big
university. This is especially so, u
state university, dependent on an
annual contribution of thhe legislature.
The competition of privately sustained
colleges is tremendous, especially in
securing and holding the best teachers.
The farmers cannot understand why
$1,000, or $4,000 at the most a year
should not get good enough teachers,
and the result is one of two things,
either Chicago or Leland Stanford
or some other rich school lures them
away, or else our professors must exc
out their living with doing other work
ION the side" And the latter is quite
common especially among the science
and engineering experts of the faculty.
some of whom get large money for
their skill and services in their reSpec-
tive lines 1t is Winked at by the man
agement, it has to do so, for the state
university cannot afford to lose these
men.
Future of These Big Schools.
The future of all state universities
appears a grave problem. , On the one
hand is the constant pressure to branch
out to establish New departments
land once established, failure can
In CfnnC
the most serious, how shall the ability
and efficiency of the faculty be upheld
in competition with those Of other
colleges with more money? Highly
developed graduate work is almost
a necessity, vet at this point COM
petition seems hopeless. To be able to
announce that every graduate has
good-salaried position awaiting him
seems to be the aim in some depart
ments. Some are forced to believe
that the state universities of the west
must lose the race and be compelled
to take the place of big, efficient
academies, bat l have faith to be-
lieve that a strong, intelligent leader
ship. with a more liberal fiscal policy
more intelligent, too, distributing the
budget as most needed-will enable at
least our own institution to hold the
place it has ard should continue to
hold.
Primary Election Bill.
If there is anyone who knows what
is expected to happen with respect to
primary elections. like Cassandra, he
may speak the truth, but no one will
believe him. My own idea is that the
reform is in great peril. The MilWau-
kee Free Press cOnspicuOusly proposes
some compromises that the conference
committee might adopt, which suggests
that Governor LaFollette may con-
clude that some law is necessary. On
the other hand, some of those who are
unalterably opposed to the installation
of the scheme, rather than see it get
a foothOld. have reached the point
where they prefer to see the legisla-
ture adjourn with nothing done, and
to take their chances with 1.-The peo-
pie" Those who feel this way are
largely outside the legislature, but
they have great influence. The mem
beers would prefer to see bill enacted
which would be accepted as the Re
publican policy, and so have an an
swer for their constituents. The spar
ring on the bill is now clearly politi-
cal on both sides, the milk in the CO.
lcoanut being the applying the princi-
pie to members of the assembly and
senate with reference to the next Uni
ted% States senatorship Q905). Per-
sonally, 1 hope for some sort of law
that will launch the principle, conf
dent that the voters will like it, GER
tainly in the smaller areas and as to
the governorship. The session cannot
we'll adjourn before May 10, and we
shall soon know what is to show for
the agitation since 1897 On this issue.
Freight Commission Bill
Agitation as to the bill to set up a
commission to regulate freight rates
continues, nor is the ad valorem plan
s. i O..