El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-30

CANA EEs ~ H. Aug du.-OWing
y in part at least TO the natural
reluctance Of the people 10 change
their constitution. it looks TO be clear
from this point that at the special
election to be held on September l6
two OF the proposed amendments will
be defeated-one of them by an over
wheiming vote-Whi,e the third, II
is conceded viii be carried with prac-
tically no opposition.
The ore which viii be hopelessly
showed GRder" is the one that pro-
poses to abolish All TIA existing state
institution boards, Il in number. aud
TO c-=ate in lieu thereof a central
beard Of control This amendment is
encounlerlnE The most vigorous o.
position from every quarter Of the
state, especially from those interested
and engaged in educational work.
Inc second amendment, ahicn stats
Officers believe VIII be defeated pro-
poses 10 authorize the legislature 20
issu bonds, certificates Of indebted
ness and debentures. in anticipation
of TAI leFies. Tor the purpose OF con-
structInE and maintaining public
Highways and bridges, without SUB
nli--lng thE issue 10 me voters This
proposed amendment has aroused the
determined opposition Of some Of the
largest corporations operating within
the state The principal reason this
amendment may tail is that no cam
paign whatever IS being made in It's
behalf, while skillfully directed ef-
forts are aiming al intermen5-
10 Give = Ote 20 Soldiers.
safe beyond l6GsOnable doubt is
the amendment which gives to all
those In military ard naval service
aara HnH Ia "A HIIaH y
be stationed on election day. There
Is no particular campaign being made
10 secure The passage Of this amend
ment, either. but few votes in OPP
position are anticipated
Real opposition OF the well org lu-
led variety. DEVELOPED first against
the central board Of -contro'. when
the principal educators OF the state
together with representative Of other
s.ale institutions, helu conference
in Santa Fe some Two weeks ago The
conference, without q dissenting vote
passed q resolution condemning the
proposed amendment, and pleuglng
the efforts OF the Organization TO
BRING aDout the defeat OF the measure.
Chief among the faults pointed out
Is the power given 70 the governor
10 aFpelnt this board OF TOUR mem :
oers without requiring the approval
0r confirmation OF either branch OF
the legislature This It is claimed,
would make il possible for cover
nor desiring TO build up personal
machine, 10 appoint subservient
fr.enos as members OF the board, and
thereby WELD almost unlimited power
Dangers Pointed Out.
Another weakness is that all four
members would be appointed al one
time for a period Of two years. Thus,
at the eni Ur every governors ad-
ministration. an entirely new board,
altogether without experience or
KNOWLEDGE Of the important and diff
cult work, might be plunged into con-
troll Assuming that the best avail
able men would Invariably beselecteo
for the work, the system Is poor
When it is considered that the ap-
Dofntees might be selected for their
political influence, rather than eXecu-
tive ability. the dangers are multi
piled One bad board now means
simply one institution viii lose in ef-
fectiveness; but under the proposed
amendment one bad board miSnt
lower the standards Of all the state
The salary Of $1,000 a year is 100
small it Is said. 10 attract 10 the
board men OF the desired business
ability and experience.
More powerful. however. than these
logical reasons for TOtigg against the
amendment is the equation OF com
muuity interest In nearly All IN
stances the boards are composed in
r1aforftv mem hers living in the
7ouutv where the institution isesit-
mated Take the case Of Silver city.
18th its excellent normal school Four
Of the members OF the board are citi-
rens Of silver City. Ask Silver City
whether Il would rather have its nor
NAL school affairs directed by four
az its prominent citizens or by a
central board that win maintain its
headquarters at the capital There Is
little ned . wait Tor the answer. The