Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-01-30
UNIVERSITY PROBE


Now that the state legislature has
started to find out what is wrong with
the situation at the university the
work that the committee has set out
to do Is real service TO the state, far
reaching in its possibility for construc-
tive good. There is an opportunity
before the committee to do more for
the state than the whole legislative
body might do in placing on the sta
tute books the most salutary law that
body can conceive.
An educational institution bears n
closer relation to the public veal and
touches the public welfare in more
intimate way that any law making
body can. Laws once made could be
left to serve long time, If they were
commendable, and if they were not
public opinion would nullify the OBJ
Jectionable features of the legislative
work.
Education is the beacon light of
progress, 1t Is the stepping stone to
buoy of true culture and the founda-
ton of an enduring social structure.
OuI institutions of learning should be
held in most sacred regard. When an
element of politics is injected into the
leading institution of the state, an in
stitution that belongs to the people
collectively, that should have no
thought of government centered upon
It except that thought be dedicated
to the greatest good for the greatest
number. The welfare OF every citi.
zen should have its weight whenever
an act is performed or contemplated
In the interest of such an institution. |
Any citizen who would stoop to
make political football of the uni
yersity is a Benedict Arnold to civil
cation. The work of the committee
now in charge of the investigation
should not be confined to mere facts
and figures. Their work should be to
put q solid foundation under the in
stitution and such lamentable occur
rences as the recent election has fas-
tened upon the university should be so
provided against as to preclude al
recurrence of it IL that can be done
Whether or not President Hendrick is
actually unfit for the position the un.
fair manner in which the new board
of regents forced him to resign with
ont hna rin 10,
the dignity OF good American spirit of
fair play, of incalculable harm to the
university that these same regents
had just taken a solemn oath to con-
slider most sacred trust. The major
ity members celebrated that oath of
fealty by Immediately attacking the
door of our cherished democracy with
a battering ram. They Bonded the
knee to the pirate clique.
II a new president is chosen by them
he must endorse the action of the
majority members in his acceptance
OF the position. II would seem that
no good man could afford to accept
the presidency of the university under
the circumstances and It Is not likely
that one will until such safeguard
has been provided as to convince edu-
Gators that such an action can never
recur. A man accepting the appoint
ment now must do 40 knowing that
two years hence he may be sacrificed
in the same way. The entire press of
the state and many leading citizens
regardless of politics have openly, and
in no uncertain terms, voiced their
disapproval of the action and eX.
pressed contempt for those who had
the temerity to perform such an act
even though they may have done SC
under master lash.
The people of Nevada owe II &c
themselves and to their posterity tC
disayow the act and profit by its oc
currence in providing for the fulur,
welfare OF the institution and through
1t for the best interests of the futur,
citizens OF the Battle Born" state.
So