The Glasgow courier., 1915-12-10
MONTANA'S NEW PREXY.
(Rv Edward H. A, DaVee,)

(By Edward H. A. Davee.)
For a number of years there has
been more or less uncertainty about
affairs in connection with the institu-
tions of higher learning. Just what
or where the fault lies is not mater
ial in this discussion. Something has
been at fault The state board of
education has all this time been de-
sirous of unifying the educational in
terests of this state and of developing
each institution to that extent ard
along lines which will enable it to
give the greatest service to the state.
The board, however, does not claim
infallibility, nor does it claim to know
in every instance just what the state
has right to expect of its institu
tions of higher learning. What is
more, the board can not meet often
enough to give these institutions the
intelligent attention which they
should receive The individual men,
bers of the board are rot in a posi-
ton to become we'll informed on prob
lens of higher education, neither do
they have time or authority, even if
they possessed the ability, to act
when the board is not in session. For
these reasons, and for many others,
the board has for some time felt the
compelling necessity of having an
expert in educational administration
to help in outlining and carrying into
execution an educational policy for
this great state while it's educational
institutions are still in the formative
period of their development.
The Leighton law, passed in 1913,
authorized the board to employ such
an expert under the designation OF
the chancellor of the University OF
Montana. The board at its June meet
ing appointed a special committee to
look about in the educational world
for suitable person to fill this po.
sition. 1t is needless to say that the
board had dozens of applications from
men who were anxious for the posi-.
ton. The committee, however, die
not confine it's inquiries to those who
applied. 1t sought other men, anc
among the latter list, and the first
on the list was DIR. Edward c. Elliott
head of the department of education
of the University of Wisconsin, who
was elected at a special meeting of
the board on October II.
The board is indeed fortunate to Sc
cure man so peculiarly fitted fol
this work as DR.. Elliott. Some OF
the things which qualify him for this
great work are:
1. He is a western man and ap-
preciates western life, having spent
his early career on the plains Of Ne
braska, where he secured his elemen.
tary and secondary education and lat.
er graduated from the state univer-
sity at Lincoln. Then he taught in
Nebraska and later in Colorado, where
he was superintendent of the cit,
schools at Leadville for several years
He also travelled and lectured exten
sively in the west, having filled lee
ture engagements in practically ever,
western state, all of which has givel
him very comprehensive knowledg,
of western life and western institu
tions.
2. He is peculiarly fitted for thi
work because of his preparation. On,
of the essential qualifications for ,
position of this character is that tn
person filling it shall know the scien
tific method of investigation and O
dealing with problems. DR.. Elliot
can qualify in this particular, for h
was trained as an expert chemist an
taught chemistry in the universit
for some years. Since then he ha
made a thorough study of problem
of education to which he has been abl
to supply the scientific method. H
took his doctors degree at Columbi
in education and was an assistant pre
fessor in this work in that institutio,
He has specialized in problems of &c