The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1917-02-09
OUR STATE UNIVERSITY

Our state University, OF which
we are all proud. has had a peculiar
and rather unfortunate career as to
its presidents. and yet it seems not
only to survive but also to make
slow progress along educational
lines.
A brief review Of its history may
prove interesting. DR.. Gault was
its first president. He was a man
of wide public school experience.
He came from the superintendency
Of the schools Of Tacoma, Washing
ton and was an excellent man for
pioneer work. Then came DIR.
Blanton who had been connected
with the department of education
in the Kirkesville, (Missour) Nor
NAL. He had little or no expert
ence as an executive officer. His
stay was short two years. This,
however, was long enough to show
the Board of Trustees that he was
wholly untitled for the task before
him. He went out under his own
protest. DR.. Mclean came next.
How the institution survived under
his administration must be accredit-
ed to a fairly strong faculty. Then
came an interregnum Of more
than year under DR.. Carlyle, an
expert in the breeding of livestock,
but one who didn't know or under
stand men.
The University at this time was a
by-word among educational men.
It had reached it's lowest ebb. DR..
Brannon came upon the scene at
most fortunate time. A strong
hand was needed-a Moses, as it
were, to lead in the educational
affairs of the state. DR.. Brannon
gave fair promise of leadership,
though it was untried leadership
that he brought with him. School
ed as a specialist in Botanical
realms the chances of success as an
executive were against him. But a
fine presence and a fair talker, it
was fondly hoped that the man of
the hour was at hand. 1t was not
long, however until cut in his sal
airy was threatened and he resigned.
This was most unfortunate. 1t
alienated many of his best friends.
1t showed that he was not broad
gagged man when he put money a.
bove the opportunity for effective
service, besides he could have had
his salary restored without resigna-
ton. At that time he was weighed
in the minds of some of his best
friends and found wanting.
For two years more he stumbled
along. He was never the Brannon
to the people of the state that he
was before his first resignation.
During the late election he became
politician of the weaker sort and
arrayed himself against Governor
Alexander in an effort to defeat his
reelection. He may have the cred
it for the large majority in Latah
county against Governor Alexander,
but Latah county was not the state.
His resignation as president of the
University was rendered and with
drawn. Again it was rendered and
promptly accepted by the Board of
Education without a dissenting
voice.
1t is so easy to charge everything
to politics. But here was a non
partisan board-as nearly non-par.
tisan as it is possible to secure
acting for the best interests of the
school, that declared by its action
that all interests were best served
by accepting DIR. Brannon's resigna.
ton, which common rumor says the
Board would have called for had il
not been rendered.
1t does no good to blame the Gov
ernor for gripping the institution
by his, even mistaken notion, Of
economy and upholding DR.. Bran
non in his course. The position
DIR. Brannon occupied was good fol-
a lifetime, and it was clearly hi,