The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-06-28
RETAIN DR.. E. A. BRYAN.
(Lewiston Tribune)

(Lewiston Tribune)
The action of the North Idaho
chamber of commerce in deciding to
arrange by private means for the
meeting of the salary Of DR.. f. A.
Bryan as state commissioner of edu-
cation, the legislature having made
provision only for the first six months
of the present year, brings that sub
ject squarely to the attention of the
people of the state. The action of the
legislature does not affect the office of
commissioner of education or DR.. Bry-
ans incumbency thereto. He remains
commissioner either by cOntractual
right or at the pleasure of the board,
unless he should wish to resign. Fail
ure to appropriate salary funds was
intended to compel Dr. Bryan's re-
tirement from the position, and the
step of the North Idaho chamber is
intended to counterfeit that purpose
and remove the occasion for DR.. Bry-
ans withdrawal.
Under ordinary circumstances the
proposition of providing private means
for this purpose would have elements
of improperly both in the giving and
in the receiving of it, but the present
situation has a singularity which
should remove any such objection.
The legislative act by which the sal
airy appropriation was limited to a
six months term was accomplished, as
it seems by trickery and does not
the sentiment either of the
state or the legislature. DR.. Bryan
was traded off for tax levy for insti- /
tutional buildings That at least, is /
the way the record of the proceedings !
works out. It is entirely possible /
that both the legislature and the peo-
pie wish to make the change which
The salary cut would imply, but if that
S the case it is not so shown by any
If the evidence available in that con-
lection. There is a way to find out,
md the North Idaho chamber of COM
nerce affords such a way.
Let the necessary fund be raised
here should be no difficulty about
hat-and thus enable the situation to
,e preserved until a definite and de-
.isive judgment can be formed, both
1t large and in the legislature. If this,
r something like it. is not done the
ducation mechanism will be sadly
isarranged and perhaps irretrievably
o. The legislature, since its action
vas indirect and inconclusive, made
10 provision for filing the position of
but it did seem to in
icate that the state superintendent
hould gravitate into the place. This,
however, is merely an assumption,
nd will require legislation to carry
ntO effect. since as the law now
lands the state board makes the APP
ointment, and that it would appoint
he state superintendent to the vacan- I
V, should one occur, is altogether '
onjectural. But in view of the con-
used and conflicting situation that q
ould he created by the retirement of '
r. Bryan because of the legislative G
it would seem to be the q
art of wisdom to find a clearer and O
atter way out. This is true as relat- d
e to all interests, those who want I
lange and those who do not since ;
lose wanting a change can then pro-
de a definite and agreed alternative, 5
lould they prove to represent the e
ajority voice. a
There is. however, serious reason to Il
,lieve that the state does not want a =
iange made, either in the system or :.
it's direction. and the action of the :,
orth Idaho chamber is one of the ;
licences thereof If this is so there -
all the more reason for preserving :,
e present structure intact and af- =,
rds ample justification for DR. Bry-
Is consenting to remain in the po-
lion, if he can be induced to do so,
full recognition of the improperly
his doing so. were the manifesto NJ
ms, legislative or popular of a con
lry tendency. That is to say, pub
service would be rendered in pre- lie
nting a disintegration of the sys- A
m, unless and until an alternative tn
n be effected if the state really b
lnts an alternative. In that view it 70
ems safe to say that DR.. Bryan not cl
~ can continue in his position with re
t any sacrifice of personal dignity 81
d prestige. should the state board of is
ucation make the proper tender but tn
at it would be his plain and impera- pr
e duty to do so. err
it
FISHINeER RETURNS. OF