Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-21
THE EDUCATIONAL. FTASCO.
Finton Eagle

III was lame and impOtent con-
ciusion" which the legislature reached
in the matter Of the controversy grow
ing out of the board Of education s
order Whereby it was proposed to CO.
ordinate the work OF the three insti-
tutions of higher learning in this state.
The responsibility is with the legis-
lature and not with the board, and in
the years TO come the Thirty fifth gem
eral assembly must bear the blame. if
blame there be. tor failure to accom-
plish the results which certainly were
in the minds of the men who passed
the act which created the Iowa state
board of education.
The record is exceedingly clear. No
candid man who will review the various
legislative reports and debates touch
ing educational matters during the last
fifteen years will deny that every step
taken looked forward to system of
government for the State University
the State College of Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts and the State Teachers
College which should bring singleness
of purpose on the part of these institu-
tons instead of senseiess rivaIries, and
promote educational efficiency The
board Of education made a brave and
honest effort TO bring this about. II
did not attempt to play politics. II
raised the issue at d time when the
Legislature could intervene at the out
set if 1t go desired, and did it's best
to support its conclusions. The issue
thus raised was not decided upon its
merits. A powerful lobby maintained
at the expense of three cities in which
these institutions are located. and the
several alumni bodies, was in action
from prior to the election until the last
vote was taken in the general assembly
Local pressure was brought to bear on
members and senators. Finally person
alities We're INDUCED In, and some
members of the board were shame
fully abused and viliified by the cham
pions Of these schools.
The board maintained Well It's dig
nifty. and when called upon to do SO by
the Legislature. rescinded it's action.
AS We look at it. the institutions have
followed short-sighted and selfish
course which was wholly unworthy OF
them and which in the end win bring
them no credit. We believe the boards
order was, on the whole. a wise and
just order, and the institutions would
have been wise, even from the selfish
standpoint, to have accepted 1t. Promi-
nent educators everywhere backed ul
the board OF education. Among inde-
pendent college men and public school
men in this state there, was practical
agreement that the board had done q
wise thing and that educational inter
ests everywhere would be advanced by
adhering to it.
The legislature in yielding to the
demands of selfish and sentimental in
stitutions has decreed a step backw yard
The state of Iowa can not afford tc
maintain three institutions, each
struggling to cover in greater part the
entire educational field. 1t will MOI
maintain them as they should be main
tanned. Instead of singleness Of ain
and efficiency. we shall have educa-
tional institutions working at cross
purposes, hating each other and tagging
behind those Of other states where
effort along these lines is concentrated
instead of dissipated.
Hereafter when a legislature ere
ates a board or q commission to ad-
vance work of reform, the member
thereof, if they value personal comfor
and peace Of mind. will take note o
the action Of the Thirty-flfth genera
assembly in this matter and avoid an,
course of procedure which shall dis
| turb the existing order. In other words
they will loaf on their job and avoit
trouble and rebuke at the hands o
future legislatures urged on by selhsl
| interests,