The New York herald., 1878-01-13
THE GOVERNOR AND HIGHER EDU.
CATION.

70 THE EDITOR OF TIN HERALD:-
In last years. Message Governor Robinson insortoa
short paragraph against higher public education ana
suggested to the Legislature the proproty OF Tor.
bidding 1t. Tho representatives OF the people after
short and sharp discussion, dismissed tho subject.
The Governor, however not satisfied TO let matters
rest there n presses tho question on the attic
uon OF tho Legislature. ''The only good reason ne
for taxing class OF the
OF tho chidren another class Is 'the necessity OF
giving TO children OF all classes sufficient common
school education TO enable tnem understand their
dunes ana exercise their rights citizens of n irce
country governed by the popular VOICE" A good
common school education, he thinks is sufficient Tor
ihs purpose and II the State cducatcs children Of
tho massos beyond this point II MAKES them d,scon.
tented with their condition, unit to discharge its
duties In manner most beneficial to their own
interests, and takes away tho strong Incentives which
npci those who really able and worthy TO win for
themselves high positions in learning ana usefulness
such are tho Governors views Able us is the Mos.
sage in most respects honest In its ring ana public
spirited in It's intentions, IL Is difficult feel sOmo
doubts IN regard to It's treatment OF this important
subject. Wo fear II will not meet with tho approval
OF tho people stand the test critical exam,na
ton.
Tho common schools. the Governor thinks, arc
charitable institutions supported by the rich or the
benefit OF the State. TITO poor mans son Is a poor
scholar, who ought to bo thankful for all he learns
there UnlucEily Tor the Governor the great body OF
our citizens do not agree with him. Tho poor IN an
knows that no pays his taxcs probably moro than
his share OF tho, tho shapo OF profit to all
the wealthy no patronizes Hc ieels that he pays
when HE country calls on him 10 defend her
WHOM tho rch man buys substitute Tor
lew hundred iouarA He knows that tho ricn
dvide among themselves oil tho franchises OF the
state. be II railroads. banks or insurance companies,
some AZ tne afoo' expense oil the poorer II soeus TO
Us most iadvscd r0uing ciass reudiccs array
Ing the rich against tho poor IN tue matter o educ
ton. The poor man contributes and knows that ne
contributes as much ~ state support as the weahiest
aud Is convinced Ihat II tho law respects any person
| Is not iDe poor man.
The Governor therefore, IS entirely mistaken whom
he thinks the wealthy aiono bear tho burden OF edu.
Gallon. Is hc right wncn ho holds that u
school EDUCATION suflces 10 make our youth under.
stand ana do their duties citizens2 He gives no
reason tor this bciic. Wo value II nis tpse
d,r,L OF course common schooisp Is a vague torn
but us the Governors purpose IS 70 denounce higher
educaton he evidently means the old fasnoncd
mon schools that dispensed Tho three RS VIII such
instruction enable tue citIzcn 10 deal wiIh the
political and financial questions which he must
decide by his voter VIII enable him 70 master tho
question OF roconstruction resumpiionf And sti
tits worth millions OF dollars 70 The wealthy that tbe
people should reach correct latter
question. Lot The Governor ana his ciicDts Jake
notice that the states whicn havo most favored high
education have aiso becn foremost IN supporting the
national creait. Tho Governor tells rs t IS ths pur
pose oi the common schools prepare our childron
TO undcrstaDd and decide questions which have puz
ziod Tho most clear headed sLatesncn lawyers IN
Congress, and stu little reading, wr,ting ana
motic 10 be. tor tuo people large the key all
these riddes No, the people undrrstapd, n the Gov
not, that hKhcr education, even tho h,gh-
est, provided be not professional is grest advsn
tagc, nay. TO some cxtcn necessity TO the STATE
pocisy 10 ono with repu bcan Iorni OF fgovernmenl
But, alter all, Mr Robinson feels that he Is tho
Governor Of tho Tcn only, but OF tho whoio peopic.
lilo is soiictous Tor tho poor also Hc icars that II
they know too much they Will bc unhappy; " they
learn tDdu tho tIrec RS they satis.
ncd wnh tho oondition late niios to them. rho
Comtc DE- Chambord couid not be soliciious for
bs peoDo than Mr.. Robinson, only no has not lad
thc courage 10 carry his principles thc4r lawful
conc usoa. 'Ii ignorance ID bIiss why not aboiish
Nil the schools NJ and iorDid The poor TO educate
Their children a. all But probably such msas ure
seemed loo radical to DO practical. Before storuDs
the CITADEL tbc outwOfks must be taken. Hence,
enough The poet warns US that "a little learning
dangerous thing, We are tod that II Is tho very thing
Tor the poor Lot hr Robinson sec at rest his enra
fne moro knows tho mere intoliigcnt hs H.
tho more easily reconccd will no be 10 the incvts-
bio. IL ~ the shortsightod who zoos things vut
form and propor,ion and forms Ialso judg ments Ia
regard 10 them, not the man OF perfect vision. Who
were the rioters OF last summer Of whon, the Cover.
nor spoaAs In another part of ms messagsf We're
they men OF high ucntion, or did bcy prove that
htilc learning Is dangerous ihing"'
but Btnings AS ali IN lis fra GOV
eruors pan, hts last onJsciion 10 popular hgh cduc
tion caps the climax. ''Hgn popular education takes
away The strong incentives which impeI thoso who
really able add worthy 10 wtn Tor themselves high
positions III learning and nssulness.n And who are
Lhey that are really able and worthy to win high
positions? Tho sons OF the ricn. u would sccm Aro
We to understand therefore, that the poor DO
privcd OF hish sducation because tbey stand IN the
way OF the rtchr Are we to hold that tho latter
properly voiona nigh positions IN learning and iseu.
ncssf That they are TO have monopoly VI o1icos OF
honor ana Hustf That wc are to have arIsiocracy
OF money tnat Will also be arstocrscy OF oficrf
We lear the democracy oil New York wi, not nnd such
doctrine palalablc The Governor wo apprchend,
viii desire to explain and the sooner no does II tho
boter. At all events the democracy cannot In this
indorsc NJ Robinson, or thcy wtl themselves urnsh
The republicans With the sword tnat will destroy thsm.
The people arc proud OF their schools rhey arc
proud OF the high standard which they attained
and. shongh all Will support The Governor In wise
economy, they Will not pcrnil hun any clsc 70
undermine tho public school system on The pre,enco
Of reform.
These views involve more odous disiranch gbg
features than tho scheme that was strikipgy re-
buScd BY The people last November
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL