The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1915-12-18
AN UNFORTUNATE CONTROVERSY

The educational interests of Nevada will not be adj
vanced by any unseemly wrangle over the functions OF the
educational survey commission or the legislative intent IN
creating the commission. The object was of course to
promote efficiency and prevent etravagance.
The point at issue is whether or not the Legislature
contemplated a survey OF the university. In creating the
commission of ten members three, including the governor,
the president of the university and the state super1ntend-
ent. were made ex-officio members; the others were APP
pointed bv the governor. While the positions OF the state
superintendent and the university president are not anal
ogous, vet the superintendent could very properly have
been omitted from membership i'll the commission. His
service should be that of an enlightening witness, rather
than a member OF a commission to pass upon the merits OF
a system, for some OF whose conditions, at least, he is re
sponsible. And this responsibility is small compared with
that OF the university head.
An educational survey OF the state might very p,ot
erlv include the state university, but such a survey could
not properly be committed to the president of that institu-
ton, nor could it properly be committed to the teachers OF
the state. And if the teachers OF the state contemplated
in the resolution adopted IN their institute, a survey or the
university. that of itself would dlsqual1ty them and their rep
resentatives for such a service. The tribune does not be-
lieve they intended It.
The writer recalls the report of a survey of the univer-
sitv of Wisconsin about a year ago and of commenting
upon that report. But the survey of that university, OF
which its state is very proud, was not committed to any
body in Wisconsin; it was made by an educator OF national
reputation employed for that purpose. The relation be-
tween the University of Wisconsin and the schools OF WIS
cousin: the relation between the University of Nevada and
the schools OF Nevada are such as to suggest Una any sur
veV of the university OF either state should be committed
to someone whose opportunities, field OF observation and
experience are broader and not narrower than those OF the
officials and teaching force of the institution under eNaml-
nation. If the legislature had intended a survey of the
university, it is quite improbable that it would have made
the president or any responsible official of the university a
member of the survey commission.
There are few educators in the United States capable
of making an intelligent survey of the University of Ne
vada without a long period for the study and conditions
with which that university must deal. We have no indie
pendent educator in Nevada sufficiently conspicuous IN his
profession to command the confidence for his report neces-
sary to satisfy either the educational profession OF the state
or the Legislature whose cooperation might be required to
carry his recommendations into effect.
If an investigation of the university and publicity OF Its
affairs be what is wanted. then there are other ways OF
reaching that object, and no one connected with the uni
versitv should be connected with the Investigations. If the
educational survey commission desires to hold meetings
behind closed doors, in other words executive sessions, 1t
should be privileged to do so. That is a privilege that
every investigating committee of congress and of other
legislative bodies claims for itself, and the most valuable
information these committees secure is frequently secured
in that manner In such sessions witnesses feel tree to talk
and the committee or commission honestly seeking 1ntOr-
nation. and the public whom they serve, are benefited
thereby. \ commission that cannot be trusted behind
closed doors should never be appointed.
If there is anything wrong with the university, 1t
should be investigated and corrected. but the educational
that purpose. as the Tribune reads the creative act. But
seldom helpful to such institutions when conducted
through the newspapers.