The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1919-05-29
COMMITTEE RENDERS REPORT ON
OUR EDUCATIONAL CONTROVERSY

| tuuI lHelT REFUSAL 10 accept MS recon-
mendations in this respect was tanta
mount to a vote of lack of confidence
| IN him. Immediately his resignation
was rendered and, in view of the cir
| cumstances, was accepted by the board
and in the opinion of the committee
with sincere regret. When all angles
of the situation are considered the
board seems to have taken the wise
course In accepting resignation of the
commissioner.
The Two Department Deans.
Our investigation showed that it had
been the feeling of the majority of the
board for some time prior to the cul-
mination of the troubles above referred
TO, that it might be wise not to con-
firm the reappointment of the Dean of
the Law school. 1t seems that he was
considered by the board as unsatisfac-
tory both as teacher and administrator
of the department; furthermore, he
was violently antagonistic to the ac-
ton of the board i'll accepting the res
ignation of President Brannon and was
so indiscreet and unwise in the things
which he said and did at this juncture
that it clearly appears that the board
acted wisely in letting him go.
The Dean of Forestry on the other
hand seems to have been competent
instructor and administrators, although
one or two members of the board had
been unfayorable toward him for some
time. He was strong supporter of
President Brannon, but that In itself
should not necessarily have caused his
dismissal AS to another matter con.
nected with his scheme for wood dis.
tillation the committee has hard no OBJ
portunity to hear both sides of the
question and accordingly cannot pass
intelligent Judgment Whether it was
necessary or just to reject his reap
pointment the committee cannot say.
Summary.
Beyond question in the opinion of the
committee, able, harmonious and un
selfish service was rendered to Idaho
education by commissioner Sisson and
President Brannon. The plans of
these men and of the Board of Edu-
cation were impeded by the Governors
Policy of reducing educational appro-
priations, a policy which it is for the
people of the state, and not for this
committee to judge. The resident was
q tighter by nature, and engaged in
what amounted TO a public controversy
with the governor, in which he was
not over fignified. Added to this So
called political activity there develop
Cd locally confusion of circumstances
and factions. To untangle this is prob
lmbly hopeless, certainly so for a body
with the limited facilities of this com.
mlttee Opposed to the president were
other strong personalities. Further
more unnecessary suspicious arose and
apparently indiscretions were commit
/ an Gi at.ffn t.,s. -
the university 1t appears, Joined with
their friends Within this gave rise to
the theory on the side Of President
Brannon that there existed a quasi
conspiracy to control the teaching of
the university. The evidence procur-
able did not bear out this theory. The
clash of personalities over matters OF
internal administration and general
differences in points of view seem suf.
flclent to account for the rise of the
trC ulle.
As has been indicated earlier in the
report. the whole sequence of circum
stances which has been outlined, cul.
minated in situation where the COM
missioner. DIR. Sisson. and the board
FOUND themselves working at cross pur-
poses. The commissioner apparently
believed that ii would be impossible to
arrive at a common understanding and
an effective cooperation with the board
and therefore resigned. The board sens
ing the finalty Of the commissioners
viewpoint. deemed It. best to accept
his resignation.
The committee believes that. taking
conditions as they were at the time
of the resignation of DIR. Brannon and
DIR. Sisson. the boardof education acted
wisely In accepting their designations
The reasonable query arises whether
or not review by the board of thel
report by its committee. il one was
made, of the activities of the opposing
elements involved in the discord should
not have been held with a view of I'M |
winding all the snarls developed by
the situation. This question was new. |
or discussed by the board SO far as the |
committee can learn.
As to the board of education itself |
tS history as whole has been one of |
Intelligent and faithful service to the |
state
We are particularly impressed with |
the integrity and DISTINGUISHED service |
or the. president OF the board, Evan
Evans. His judgments appear to have
been arrived at without haste, to have
been entirely his own and to hav,
been directed only by his sincere de-
sire to build up the educational sys-
TEN OF the state The new members
or the board were doing the natural
thing In accepting his Judgment In
matters affecting the state uniyersity.l