Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-09-22
THE SCHOOLS IN PoLITlcs.

The New York Post discovers an ed
ucational paradox in the recent action
OF professor Of philosophy, Prof. Coe
of the Northwestern university in. ex-
changing his chair for one In a the
illogical seminary in order to enjoy
academice freedom.
Since a university has always been
regarded as the very cidatel of intel
lectual liberty, and a theological school
looked upon as the mere stronghold Of
dogmas, such step does look para
doxical But IS 1t necessarily so?
Are not the universities considerably
dominated In some instances, by polls
teal or personal cliques that tend to
take away from the brliny and public
spirited professor his intellectual free
dom? Do we not hear, at every cleo
ton, from the professional politician
who secures the nomination of boards
of trustees, that professors should have
no political opinions? At least they
should never express them; or, at the
extreme limit allowable, they should
take no actual part In politics. So.
b
the actual fact
1t not infrequently happens that the
board of trustees OF q theological sem
mary is composed of broader and more
liberal men than arc to be found on.
the boards OF the professed1y impair
Htia1 universities, whether the latter APP
pear to be institutions OF the State Or
Of private foundation.
The Post points out there Is In the.
West a tendency in universities to-
ward the erection of a religious atmos-
sphere in the school, showing a conces-5
sion towards the religious leanings OF
the masses OF the people, and also a
tendency on the part of theological
schools to group themselves about the
State universities. 1t is said that this
latter grouping has been largely ac-
compllshed in California and that the
yearning for university utilization is
making itself felt in most of the great
theological schools throughout the
country.
1t seems to us that the office of
State Superintendent of Public In.
struction could be taken out of parts
an politics to advantage 1t Is po-
sition requiring certain technical ana
professional qualifications, in relation
to which the general public has COM!
paratively little means of judging.
Most of the States have made 1t an
appointivc office IN only a few
Western states is this office elective.
our own State Board of Education
would be the official body upon whom
should naturally devolve this choice Of
appointment.
But how may the office be taken
out of politics? One party has
already made its nomination for this
office, and others are about to do So.
we have not the slightest inclination
to suggest to any political party it's
course OF action in relation to the
policies it advocates or the men 1t
chooses for the advancement OF It's
political principles. let here is an
opportunity for craftsmanship. why
cannot the parties agree upon one can
didate eminently qualified for this
high office? What should hinder, in
future nominations, the selection or
some leading educator. chosen pc
cause of his qualifications, and voted
for. by all legitimate parties as an ex-
cellent man for the place?
1t seems to us that a movement or
this kind, being good in principle
must also be good politics