New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-05
COLLEGE CoMME8CEMENTS.
THE NETWORK STATE UNIVERSITY.


ALBANY, N. Y, Aug. 3.-The University OF
the State Of NewYork which breaks forth into publicity
once more this week. has been styled the ghost OF col
legeb by metropolitan journalist more epigrammatctha
truthful Does 1t merit that ttlei 1t is almost as old as
tho Revolution and is quietly esconced In corner OF
the Capitol grounds here that have forgotten and
have lived ignorant Of it and its work, until news
paper mention has drawn down upon it this singular
epithet But the University far than ghost or
at least it has marvellous spiritual powers Its consttu
ton Is unique Not including nero acsdemical depart
ment. like its mushroom namesakes on tho prairies, 1t
has preparatory academca and
vt-""'" hanArtlnenis as really qs the great uniyers
ties Europe. It, therefore, stands almost alone Ia tht
United states-belng rescmbled In its completeness By
none and in ts extensyeDess Of plan perhaps by only
four other American institutions. But, briefly the Unit
versty Of the state of has Its existence chiefly
in Board OF Regents Including tie CHIEF State ofcers
in whom is vested the superintendent OF all the AGA
demca and collegiate institutions in the state The
Board mako yearly visitation OF these IHstltntlons
direct their examinations dsburse the Literature ruDu
and confer degrees above that OF Master, &c.
The University COnyocatiOn Is an annual meeting OF
the principals or instructors, trustees OF academies
and colleges under the Regents authorityito discuss
topics OF interest in general education IL has been es
being probably the most effective and Important annual
meeting held In the interest Of education anywhere inns
state are becoming more and more interested in each
year, and the discusslons-pubhshed in pamphlet FORM
sity to the Legisatureare indeed OF no small value
Capitol during three days OF this week
After the usual opening exercises TINS moTnng anu
Chancellor Pruyns address OF welcome President Joseph
Alden IL D. Of the Normal school, presented tho
first paper upon Academies ana PTeparatory 5CnCos
than our fathers did Can we not make minds grow
than they did The theories Of many educators
this point alluded TO, ana nnaly the writer
view is urged He feels the antique n1tness o! IN, me
college n c 9Ts ySe Of Vigorous study
The academy should be more regarded; us preparation
should relieve the college student from feeling OF
drudgery I'm studying what should be his advantage aud
Measure order TO have such an enlarged Usefulness
tIe permanent services Of competent teacl ers Poor
teachers had better be in colleges than IN academies anu
indeed the ought To take the lowest Glasses
n rule the early mprcssionsRre the strongest ne
State should endow academies as wen ls %
Chancellor was, upon notion appointed colhitee W
request that gentleman to address the COnyocaon upon
university cducaOnin Great Britain nj such time as aJ
be convenient was taken untll the afternoon
AT the afternoon session Professor Edward North OF
UnmiIton college reported an to the question
at what age Is 1t expedent and desirable that young
| men should he admitted 70 college" Some OF our
colleges require that freshman shall be not less than IA
years OF age; other colleges like Yale and Cornell
Is The natural effect OF such rules u 10 suggest ahd ~
ye an early admission 10 college. Yet most college In,
structos receive student OF IA or Is with regret ana
apprehension, that Que should SO soon pc WltldIaW
the good influences OF home and lett win Older
students college dormory. College Is not place
Of peculiar peril but It's studies are intended hr young
men OF maturity Of mind College life is meant for
| young who know their principles, aud have the
strength 90 maintain them, IT Freshmen were not al
urd until the Of G, the rule wOuld be safe one TO
follow aud would suggest premature entrance 70 col
lrgr DeytatiOus from this rule would be for peculiar
reasons n lad has really mastered the preparatory
studcz before the OF IS would he better for him To
take thorough course OF history drawing music. natu
nal sciences with modern languages aud lusy sports,
than Ia be hurried into unequal conflict with young
men ~ per faculties and greater power OF endurance
! DR. Thomas IIl, exPresident OF Harvard; President
! smith OF Dartmouth. President Dodge OF Madison
! University, and Prof. W. g. Tyler OF Amherst
| College ara strongly opposed to the adnila'
| sion Of students younger than iG. President An
drcws Of Marietta College fayors early admission
Prof d. Z Martin, New York University, deomcd any con
illusions drawn FROM Lanmans Dictionary OF Congress
entirely uusuted 10 the decision OF this question: Whic
refers the brilliant lads only Prof. North supple
mcucd his report with list OF ages at which some Gis
tiuculshed scholars had graduated: Everett II years
Tchuur &c; Webster. 10. corrected to 10; story 2O
Claiming CyalcdlCtOranl, i5 LongiollOw, Is; Moses
stuart tvacdctOriaul, 10; Wheaton, II; Prescott 49,
Gushing talutatorauD. III Emerson, IS; winthrop, 10
Bishop Hobcrt. Guan &. Nepanck, 10 class OF 1901
Prof Thompson, and Others insisted that there Is MOI
only such capahty but perhaps greater aptitude o.
the female than Of the male pupils Prof Coles OF II
mira Female College gdycrcd Ia the unapprccaleu iOrc'
~ dctcuuuat purpose In ability TO learn II girls cal
bayr s clear purpose for their studies they arr
nuite ns capable ~ their male competitors. Much Ohe
testimony was added, all In favor OF the mtelectua
cuuay OF the sexes tai cut short the discussion
nj $40 r. M The evening largely occupied Win INC
moral notices OF deceased members 81 the 'ouNoeaHoh