Arizona republican., 1918-03-22
The Elaastaff Affair

deplorable condition has been brought about in the Northern Arizona Normal School That insti- tuition had been administered blow from which 1t win not recover in years. The whole educational system of the state by which mean the state edu- catona institutions been shown to be within the sweep of politics and personalities that the same thing that happened to the Northern Arizona Normal School may happen to any of them It does not help the matter that the blow at the Flagstaff Normal School was struck in the of loyalty. We are reminded of Dr. Johnson's aphorism, Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."
 The outrageous thing in this whole matter is that pr Blome has been removed from the head of the school on a charge of disloyalty. at this time the crime of all crimes. No attempt has been made to establish his disoyalty, and opportunity was given him to this infamous accusation; his friends denied the privilege of offering any defense of him. Yet the punishment for disloyalty his removal, has been inflicted without the semblance of trial, the shadow of investigation and stigma has been attached to of the most honored names of the state.
 The governor of the state it to the state, to the educational system the state; he to the principle decency and fairness he it to himself to order investigation this charge which if not sustained or if disproved, should be followed by the complete and formal vindication of Dr. Blome his reinstatement and the removal from the board of the who have wantonly assailed his good name. But if Dr. Blome is disoyal he deserves the greater cxecration which must follow the proof of his guilt.
 pr. Blome is of German birth though he was brought to this country when child He has been American for half century lacking year, He is pronounced by competent judges to be of the foremost educators of the southwest and for twenty years. those who have taken keen interest in the educational affairs of Arizona felt that were peculiarly fortunate in being able retain the ser- vices of such a man.
 Wherever pr. Blome has served in the Tempe Normal and later at Flagstaff he has gained and held the high respect and regard for him. both as tor and friend, of hundreds of young men and wo- men, all of whom resent the indgnity that has been put upon him. They still more bitterly the harm that has been done to the cause of education
 The presidency of the Northern Arizona Normal to man of the capacity of Dr. Blome is matter of the smallest importance. His removal which means his exclusion from the educational affairs of the state and amounts to his expulsion from the state to wider and more remuneratve field is of course to his material advantage but to the great disad- vantage of the state.
 1t has been charged that Dr. Blome is pro- German and dsloya There is no evidence of that and there has never been act or word by him to create in the minds of his friends, those who know him best. the slightest suspicion of dsloyay. The so- called flag incident which was made the pretext for his removal has been satisfactorily explained and 1t would have needed explanation but for the widespread misrepresentation by enemies of harm- less incident.
 The worst and the meanest thing in this whole matter is the attempted character assassination though, we have said, Arizona is the most pained sufferer.