Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-08-19
DIR. p. P. CLAYTON APPOINTED
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

Some weeks ago President Taft
announced the appointment of Phil
ander P. Claxton, professor of educa-
ton at the University of Tennessee,
as commissioner of education, to
succeed Or. e. E. Brown. resigned
DR.. Brown announced his resigna-
tion some months ago to take the
place of president of New York uni
versity.
Secretary of Interior Fisher when
he assumed office, asked the advice
Of all the leading educators of the
country in selecting DR.. Browns
successor, and Dr. Claxton was chos-
en- because of the general verdict
that he is especially well equipped
for the place.
Some curiosity in the West as to
the personality of the new commits
sloner may be satisfied by the fol-
lowing information. Prof. P. P.
ClaXton is an ardent educationist,
whose natural tendency toward
learning and things scholastic was
turned almost into a passion in his
efforts to improve and reconstruct
the educational conditions of his ma
tive southland. This work of the
last 20 years has been enough to
temper the soul for any pedagogical
undertaking hereafter and the entire
country will reap the benefit of his
experience. DR.. Claxton comes to
the office with record and ap-
proaches his work from every want
age point Of experience and is a fair
speciman Of American education. As
a lad he went to country school
while the cannon balls shot across
his fathers lawn. Later he was a
University Of Tenn. and John Hop
kins man, reinforced by extensive
educational travel. He has been
everything from country school
teacher in turn, school superintend-
ent director of a normal training
school He was called to the chair
OF education of University OF
Tennessee and while there in
stituted co-education, manual and
domestic training From there for
the last 10 years he has also directed
an educational campaign throughout
the entire south, increasing state ap-
propriations for public and state in.
stitutions. He is member of the
Southern Board. has taken an active
hand in all national as we'll as inter.
national movements. Perhaps the
most telling piece Of work in his
own estimation Is the influencing oi
tens OF thousands of public school
teachers in the summer school oI
the South held at Knoxville for the
last 10 years.
When news OF DR.. Claxton's ap.
pointment was announced, there was
a wild demonstration on University
HILL when, at the evening open hour
time was taken from the scheduled
program TO announce the appoint
ment Of DR., ClaXton to the position
of commissioner of education.
DR.. ClaNton says that he will us,
his power to make conditions sur
rounding the work for betterment o
schools as favorable as possible.
My heart is with the South. Many
years ago, made substantially tn,
statement that would never res
happily until the children OF tn,
south through their educational ad
vantages had as good a chance a
the children in other sections OF thu
country. The secretary OF the inter
Tor said to ME when | visited hin
that he was anxious to have the mex
commissioner man who was IL
sympathy with the work in the south
and who understood them, and wa
able to give critical analysis OF tn,
conditions prevailing in southern
schools,