The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-08-02
THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF
WOMEN.

4hO AibhOA OddOAblOll VI nOhlCl 10 ~
subject that is engrossing the attention
of leading educators of both sexes all
over the civilized world. 1t is admitted,
in this day and generation, that women
have the right to as high education as
men, and higher too, il they can attain
it. America led the way by opening
up educational institutions, mixed and
unrnixed, for the thorough education of
women. Russia followed, then Eng
land, and In some respects, Germany
and Switzerland also. But it is in the
United States, England and Russia,
that women are receiving the greater
encouragement and substantial assis-
lance. Women have been demonstrat-
ing a wonderful capacity for study, and
while Americans have always been free
to acknowledge the mental worth of
the sweeter sex, the English educators
have been dazed at the remarkable
progress in learning made by females.
"Why they almost equal the gentle
menl" exclaimed the leading professor
of a certain college over there. SO
they do, and frequently surpass them.
The higher education of women is
one OF the leading questions in the pro-
gress of civilization in the United
States and it never fails of attracting
the attention of all bodies gathered to-
gether for educational purposes. Hence
the national association which met in
Philadelphia on Thursday, as reported
by yesterdays dispatches, took up the
question and made a remarkable de-
%liverance upon it, and one which, we
may remark, may not o be realized.
The association would have public
lands set apart for the exclusive pur-
pose of endowing and maintaining insti-
tutions for the higher education of wo-
men. In this move it is apparent that
the zeal of the association rises above
its discretion. AT present a portion of
the public lands are set apart for the
benefit of the common schools, and
eve this trust is frequently abused,
according to the complaints that come
from many states.
The n idea possessed by
the national association is that this is a
paternal government. Free and gem
erous public education in this republic
a be justified only on the score of
self-preservation. Enl htenment
among the citizens of this nation is de-
manded for its perpetuity, hence the
necessity, so to speak, Of giving every
body a free education. But it cannot
be urged that the higher education of
women could possibly come under
this provision. The various school dis
tricts in the several states and terrific
ries afford whatever education is posi-
BILE with their w means and govern
mental assistance, and to the authori-
ties thereof is given the whole question.
1t has been decided by the courts in
several cases that it is lawful to give as
high public education to all as the res
pective school districts can and will pay
for. Thus in Boston we find the
ilkiNob BtSibCu II iloou tApCllolNt
schools in the country. In all large
cities there are high schools almost
equal to those of Boston. No two
scarcely are alike. We come down to
smaller districts where schools are
kept open a few months in every year.
1t is as we have already said, the ques-
ton of public education lies with the
school districts. The more wealthy
and ready to pay they may be, the
higher the education for the school
going population.
While the LEADER is in full sympa-
thy with the higher education of women
it cannot see how that public policy
could grant the appeal of the national
association. The request is made for
that high institutions are now open for
women who have the necessary means.
The women are therefore on an equal
footing with the men. Therefore, to
endow exclusively, institutions for
women, would be creating a privileged
class not warranted by our laws nor
tolerable in the minds of the people.
This much is outside of the real merits
OF the question Of national endow-
ment, for it We're an easy thing to make
a law applicable to both sexes. But the
expediency Of the matter is in great
doubt, as we have already shown.
II daann - N lpty 80 ofota that NJ.