Arizona republican., 1919-03-05
An u,,Oo..d.sor Obstruction

We believe the unfavorable action in the committee Of tho yesterday House bill No. 10 will be learned with regret by the friends of education throughout the by all who have deep interest in the public school system and who recognize that ours. which had hoped might be changed. is the most antiquated and inefficient of all tho states
 House bill No 10 is a proposed constitutional amendment changing the organization of the state board of education giving it control all the edu catonal institutions of the except the university and empowering to appoint the state superintendent Of instruction whose office is elective Those Inc chief features of the proposed amendment.
 Like senate bill No. 17. this became ehtangled iu the mesh of politics and the influences which passed the first used against House bill No. TO- though n had passed with trifling opposition in the house some weeks ago But that before the game of politics in the legislature begun. Such opposition appeared in the house in the small clement know tho Hunt faction, whose influence has spread lately in both houses in a most striking manner
 It vas ineyitablo in these circumstances that the question of politics should ntrudc itself in this stage. though the lines were little less closely drawn than they were in the case Of Senate bill No. r.
 IL would Of course. be impossible to enact law for tho governing of state institutions which would not afford an advantage party another if it chose Co embrace lt could be said though. in favor of this bill that, though it should finally be adopted by the people could be of advantage to the administration. since it could become effective until after the people had passed upon it two years hence and tho superintendent elected the lime would hold his office two years more. so that years would elapse before the legislation could become effective. Whether we shall have a republican democratic governor four years no one can say SO a political conflict over this bill was premature
 Another question which presented itself was whether such state school board the bill contem- plates composed of members, three of them to be persons Of recognized standing would be more likely 10 choose capable school superintendent than tae people at large would be likely to choose It is an insult to intelligence to say that the people ln the mass arc capable Of making a certain wise noicc of superintendent Even if they were qualified uy a familiarity with his duties they could not have
 knowledge Of the fitness of any for those duties This is of inc offices that in the nature of things should be submitted to the people. We could not think of leaving the selection Of the president of university. the principal of one of our Normal schools to a vote Of the people only the demagogue who is insulting 10 the people themselves can claim that they ntallible in such a matter as this
 There certain officers who must be directly responsible to the peopethe governor the heads of various state departments and our judges We also have general understanding of their functions But do not understand the technical duties of school men.
 It is not too late to mend the action of the senate We trust that this bill will be submitted to the people log the initiative believe that there arc so many of us conscious Of our inability to direct in the mass
 system of education. that VIC will be willing to leave it to the judgment of few specially qualified men We are willing 10 submit that issue to the people