New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-18
SOCIAL SCIENCE.


TON.
ALBANY, Feb. 1.-THE Convention OF tho
American Social Science Association, In session at
Albany held Its first meeting In the Agricultural Hall
Safest, this evening. Gen. John Meredith Read IT,
the Chairman of the Albany Committee, extended the
hearty welcome OF the Albany members 10 the officers
and general members Of the Association and expressed
the great pleasure and pride they felt that Albany should
selected for the deliberations Of that eminent
bodya body pledged to the study OF questions bearing
the welfare Of the world, ami highly interesting 10
every and woman lie trusted the results
Of the meeting would give great impetus TO the move
ment America, aud confer lasting benefit the CON-
munity. The American Social Science Association was
possessed Of objects and aims kindred those OF similar
bodies Europe, which havo gained for themselves 80
high reputation and such universal esteem, aud which
are gaining strength and gathering around them an In
tensided interest from day TO day France had her
Chevaler, her DesGaspann; Italy had her scagna
Russia her Kapnitz; aud England, who was
particularly rich In names, great I'm So
cal science, her Brougham, her Littleton
her Argyle, and host OF other names
equally familiar, such as Florence Nightingale.
Stuart Mill, Tom Hughes and though last by.no means
least, Goodwin Smith, Such noble army of wo kers ina
the Old World deserved the hearty and enthusiastic
cooperation IN the New World But could America not
pontto men Of whom she might be justly proudi Leb
Elliott, Parkman. Adams Sumner Garfield. Cassidy,
DAILY Wilson, JAY Everett Cornell gassz and Greeley,
were names never mentioned without reverence, and
he thought they gave to the United States the right to
claim her proper position In the ranks OF social science
He had intended to offer remarks the Assoca
ton. but he found that any points to which he might
have called attention woud be touched upon by DIR.
Elliot their President In his opening address, and whom
had great pleasure in introducing to the meeting.
Dr. Elliot thanked the meeting for the reception
they had given their feowmombers from other parts
He explained the work Of the Association. which, he
said was divided into four decentralization, Health.
Economical Science, and Jurisprudence He then defined
Social Science dealing with the different phases OF
society," treating social being drawing out his
social capacities, encouraging all his efforts, and
putting information in his way. Social science
was not philanthropy. Philanthrophy spent its
efforts in reforming abuses. Social science pro-
vented them by discovering and destroying their
causes Pbilanthrophy. which was good deal
governed by feeling could not always be depended upon
but social science rigorous more logical. and con-
sequently powerful when properly called into ae
tion was Of harder metal. But radicalsm In social
science was dangerous and must be kept In hand. 1t
their office TO uproOt but TO prune to lead and
improve. Dr. Elliot then expressed his surprise that
the term Social Science should be often misunder.
stood much az concerned In his social reatons
Social science he thought the same power OF con-
troll over man that physical science gave to ambitious
man over nature, with whom he was always
contending An Association Of Social Science TO
be advanced must gather together from the different
parts the world all the information they can fom the
thinking men and and then utahze 1t TO Its own
purposes and disseminate it from its Immediate center
speaker then account OF the operations 0f
the society during three months in order to bring
about reform civil service the present position Of
which are one mass of dishonesty and degradation
sorrowful disgrace to the whole country spreading dis
honor wide both at home and abroad This reform
was at this moment thor great all and object, and no
.Rosr frNpfa and aypbfa ha
thought might powerfully influenced by ther organ
zation Still more do their District Committees be-
camo more numerous They had now q committee In
in Albany and one In NewYork and establishing
Committees in NewHaven and Maine, all working har-
moniously under the supervision OF the Central Com
intee Boston In Boston their work divided In tho
four departments OF Health, Education, Economical
Science aud Laws Each OF these departments
aged by separate committees chosen for their especial
aptitude for that particular branch OF social
science working under the control OF the Cs<tra Gen.
Committee, while they had several ralying out
posts contributing their strength to the general body he
looked forward to amount OF benefit to America from
rheir operations commensurate with their aspirations
He begged then to introduce to the meeting who
though iustrious in his country had come among
them to Hume them with his talents aud his genus and
to contribute 70 their already long list OF great
meD had great pleasure in introducing to them Prof.
Goodwin Smith, who read the following paper on UNI
yersity Education"
PROFESSOR GOODWIN SMITH on UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.
The speaker said that he feared the subject which be
had chosen might be considered rather too dry aud s
lastic When he first invited 10 be present al inc
meeting he chose subject OF more practical INTENT buS
gave up because though strictly pertaining to econo
IN this country and stranger and guest dependent
upon the kindness OF Americans OF all parties Tor tno
objects OF this visit. he wished to Keep clear OF party
politics Some years ago this country had Desn
the scene q yen s Of r.s. sr%ss
OF the Reformation had bound together men OF inc same
principles ip different NATIONS Now tnat .nese eSrn w,
had run their course ah1 se laws OF ineTns !9na e
quette resumed their sway nodisregaIa :" ieui pa
been would be shown on his part The only conhec'
trey remote from all party feelings and interests IN en-
deayoring which he misunderstanding to serve all
parties alike. In politics he merely spectator, and
be wished be unbiased He had left university
education in state Of crisis and transition IN England;
found IL IN state Of crisis and transition here
considering this subject he would take his stand
merely because he was familiar With them bat becaa.s
he thought some light might DO thrown by the history OF
university and academea reform In England on the cri
els here He guarded himself however. from appearing
TO wish that Americans should be too much influenced
mentioned speeches of Mr.. Lowe against the classical
system OF education, and indeed against academca edu
cal circumstances OF the speaker, and therefore
nntrnstworthy as guide to ssadsnie ~
tho structures OF Mr. Matthew Arnold upon Eaglsh ui
yersy education as being Influenced By his strong pro-
cal bias much OF the Language Of English university
formers applied to evils which do no exist here sueh az
Of nOucOnformsts from the national universities
The speaker proceeded TO explain the organhtun ans
system OF the English universities lie stated snas
early times the system OF university S"a,'
had consisted, first. OF course OIL Lee, rc
eral study both literary aud sen, ,
called arts, which the basis OF the whole stu,S
and after the course OF arts, OF three PROFESSIONS,
ties-Theoogy Law. and Medicine. one OF whl,n 'nt
dent entered after completing bis studies n rtS &
though the three professional faculties had AZ one @
fallen into decay, and s In very feeble stare,
still the established system OF the universities a
seemed 10 the speaker that the only pefieey 90.
III lt,y at,ihf ha