The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-04-16
DEMAND FOR
The REMOVAL.
Of Price As Dean Of
Agricultural College
Throws State University Into
Political Muddle
That Surrounds The Present
State Administration
No Complaint Of His Service
Or His Ability
And Appears As Simply Case
Of Aggravated Politics


the removal of Homer G. Price as dean
Of the agricultural college of the Ohio
State university has thrown that edu-
cational institution into the political
muddle that surrounds the administra-
ton of Governor Frank B. Willis. The
demotion of Dean Price automatically
removes him from the state agricultur-
al commission, the statute creating
that appointment witt, the commission.
The governor has not the right Of re-
moval and the only way the dean
could be reached was by action of the
board of trustees, under the direction
of President w. o. Thompson. Coming
at time coincident with the demand
of the governor for the resignation of
all the other members it is accepted
as strong proof that the action was
taken at the demand of Governor Will
lis or under strong pressure brought
to bear by him. Friends of the Ohio
State university in this act see the
rising influence of Ohio Northern uni
versity at Ada over their alma mater.
Dean Price has been with the Ohio
State university for fourteen years,
and during that time has made the
agricultural college one of the leaders
of the country, with an enrolment that
has increased from $50 to 1400. There
has been no complaint of his service
or question of his ability. It appears
to be simply case Of aggravated poll
tics from which hitherto the university
has been kept free, and which has now
been involved because the spokesman
ship of the narrow-partisan-minded
Willis holds nothing sacred.
President Thompson and the trus-
tees, since the action became the
storm center of criticism, deny that
there is any political connection, but
the fact remains undisputed that they
did exactly what Governor Willis
wanted them to do and at exactly the
time he wanted them to do it.
Governor Willis is in fair way to
the public utilities commission. There
is every reason urged and every effort
being brought to bear to clear the way
for the keeping of promises made be-
fore the election to those who thrive on
public utilities control, as was hereto
fore indicated in these columns. Fur
ther proof of the intent is shown in the
result of a patronage meeting Of the
"high-up" Republicans this week when
1t became known that the designations
were likely to be forthcoming. One of
the bolder had the temerity to sug-
gest candidate when he was inform
ed by the governor that he was too
late. The utilities Jobs were promised
long ago it seems, and the governor
indicated that he means to keep his
promise.
No newspaper in the state worked
harder to bring about the election of
Republican administration than did
the Springfield Sun, Ind. Yet It now
says: "Ohio is ashamed Of the men
who are now representing her and the
people are growing tired Of their fool.
ishness." A Democratic paper might
be questioned as to motive for making
such a statement, but when friendly
paper like the Sun makes such state
ment there must be reason.
,Writhing under the criticism justly
leveled at them the Republican lead
ers in the general assembly and Gov
ernor Willis still acknowledge their in
ability to make progress after fifteen
weeks of effort. The senate and the
house seem to be hopelessly entangled
in the mesh of partlsanship, and the