Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-01-09
Reforms in oar Higher Institutions


There is no, greater issue before
the people of oregon than the re-
formation along constructive educa-
tional lines OF the higher institutions
of learning. The State Grange at its
last annual meeting at Eugene had
submitted "a report by Milt Richard
son, c. II. Spence and h. nofer treat
ing with the subject of raising reve-
MUGS for higher educational institu-
tions aside from direct tax. nat
report was printed as part OF the pro-
ceedings of the State Grange and is
interesting reading. In the conclu-
sion of that report the committee
makes this recommendation;
Your committee is of the opinion
that these institutions can be more
economically run by being all under
one state board of control. We there
fore would recommend that there be
a state board created for the purpose
on overseeing, directing and manag-
ing our higher institutions OF learn
ing. This board should consist of
not less than three nor more than
five persons. IL should be a mixed
board, composed of both men and
women, and so arranged In the elec-
tion or appointment of the members
that the majority of either sex over
the other shall not exceed one This
board should have full charge of the
expenditure of all money used In pro-
yiding for and carrying on these In
stitutions. 1t should be its duty TO
oversee and provide suitable build
ings, apparatus, teachers and every
thing needful for the proper prose-
cutting OF the work; to see that there
is no unnecessary duplication OF stu
dies in the different schools; to keep
an accurate account OF all eXpendi-
lures of money and report the true
state of affairs to the legislature at
the beginning OF each regular SEES
sion. and to furnish the legislature
with estimates OF the amounts need
I'd for supporting the different In
stitutions for the time intervening
between the regular sessions OF the
legislature. BY placing them all un-
der one board OF control we believe
they can be more economically car
ried on; besides, IL would do away
with the political scandal which has
heretofore been attached 10 the ap-
preparations made by the legislature
for the support OF these institutions.
'In conclusion, your committee
would recommend that this State
Grange take steps to collect reliable
information touching upon these nat
ural resources OF our state which are
now fast passing into private hands,
and lay the matter before the proper
authorities. and use the best efforts
az its command 10 secure To the state
in perpetuity these valuable resources
for the benefit OF the whole people.
The committee above named pro-
ceeded TO have prepared a draft of a
bill TO place all the higher institu-
tions of learning under one board,
and the bill is printed herewith, The
bill is not perfect, but can be easily
made to cover the situation, and IL
is believed by the commi,.ee would
result in a great saving In expenses
of administration as well as improve
ment In the public service that is
covered by these institutions.
The committee expects that there
will be opposition TO this reform bill,
as there always is to every new step
in the development OF the govern
ment.
Copies OF this bill are being sent |
10 all members of the State Grange |
and subordinate Oranges and 10 |
members Of the general assembly and I
70 regents OF the various institutions /
affected thereby.
The committee will gladly receive /
suggestions for the perfection of the |
OIL or eliminate any defects contain /
ed In the measure. The bill does not /
intend or attempt to determine what /
support the institutions shall receive. /
IL aims at better administration.
Arguments for One Board.
A large board or commission means /
large expenses for mileage and per
diem for from nine to twelve per-
sons for each board The present
lhree boards contain over thirty per-
sons The normal school board has
Nlhe members, the agricultural col
Its- thirteen, the state university
nine members. Each separate board
mas besides a salaried secretary.
treasurer and bookkeepeT. These
would be done away with and each
institution would have only a regis
lt'F and he business OF the institu-
i,on would be done through The pres
lus and his private secretary direct
WIN the one board.
Gut OF all these boards of over
lhlfty persons, and probably ten en-
moves one board could be formed
uat would give all five institutions
Uetler business administration and
,'sl tar less than administration by
.Arve larger boards, which are got
1osether with difficulty and great ex-
ne normal school board that has
nan nuled the affairs of the four nor
,ual schools for two years past. which
- lhe smallest OF the boards, is too
loIse and has unanimously adopted a
7sol ntlon 10 create one board OF five
mem Ders for all five higher schools.
Large boards mean few meetings
~ steat expense for mileage. A
uah board means concentration on