The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-10
THE NEW ORLEANS DEMOORAT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1880

advancement n q literary and social point Of
View should be abolished.
This IL impraoticable. because both the
United States and State acts making pro-
vision for this University require that mill
tary tactics shall be taught, and hence the
acceptance operates aa q contract which 1t is
idle b talk of disregarding. That military
features In q college do not necessarily mill
tate against advancement either In literature
or society, is proved by the fact that at West
Point. the University Of Virginia and host
OF ether noted institutions, military tactics
| are An important part OF the course, and tend
greatly to Improve the students. making
them manly and self reliant. while intoxicating
habits OF obedience and order which are not
| the least valuable parts OF an education.
3. Means should be adopted to bring the stu
dents Into Intimate association with the better
students on the one hand may be- benefited by
| the refining influences Of society and the citi
Sens on the other may be led to take more and
more interest IN literary taates, and unite with
the University sn elevattnR the standard OF edu-
cation In the State.
When a boy goes to college his Studies
should be his first consideration, and If they
are Interrupted by intimate social later
course" and all the parties and picnios and
vislting and love,making and dissipation that
may not unreasonably be regarded as en-
braeed In that phrase, the probability Is that
he will make poor student and leave the
University but little benefited by his course
and cutie unprepated to assume the stern
duties Of life. This may seem rough on the
boys. and he would be an exceptional youth
who did not regard It as exceedingly hard
lines, but there has never yet been discovered
a pleasant and llowery path leading up to the
sleeps where knowledge only can be found
4 certain amount OF social enjoyment is, OF
course, not only unobjeetionabIe, but highly
beneficial: the main point Ia not to permit
pleasure to interfere with study. 1t Ia no
easy or agreeable task TO exercise restraint
over youths In college. and without the most
watehful care and the exercise OF great firm
ness On the part of the president, the scholars
will see much more Of the society around them
than Ia consistent with proper regard for
their advancement.
3. The entire orgs,ia STRUCTURE should be
changed. giving the faculty, IN conjunction with
the president. the power Of shaping the course
principle that twelve heads are better than one |
4. The regulations OF discipline should be
made definite, removing all discretionary po,cets
% everything done. and preventing any charge
or even chance. oil. pHrtialtv.
Both Of these suggestions seem to ,,a objec- |
uanable, but whether good or otherwise. will |
no doubt be taken under consideration by the |
Board OF Supervisors. which meets shortly. |
and which alone has authority III the prem Ises.
o. The boarding arrangements should be no
part, OF the institution, but should be in the
hands VI q regular hotel keeper to whom alone
HtN1nOtl fDrh
This suggestion also can only be considered |
by the board, and we very much doubt It's
wisdom. The practice and experience OF
many OF the first educational institutions In |
the country are against It. nor do we see that
there would be any advantage In having the
scholars responsible for their board to hotel
keeper rather than to the college authorities.
9. A preparatory depart ment should be estab-
lished In connection with the university, or a
OF requirement for entrance other
Wise the institution can never become school
OF higher grade,
1t occurs to us that there is very serious
objection to this proposition, for there are
classes In the University suited to the intellI-
gence Of every pupil. aud the establishment
Of preparatory school would operate preju-
dictally to very large number Of youths Oft
Louisiana who have. from causes growing
out Of the war and from the poverty Of our
people, been unable to receive proper instruc-
ton. A well grown youth, old enough under
ordinary circumstances to be graduate,
would naturally dislike to enter prepara-
tory school. nor Ia It necessary that
he should. as he can In the Univer-
sity, as 1t Ia at present arranged,
easily find q class suited to his
It would be manifestly un-
wise for the board to establish standard OF
Intelligence until there are better school IA
cllitles In the various parishes of the State.
The standard can be raised when our youths
all over the State have ample opportunities to
prepare themselves at home; but until then
the present plan strikes us as the proper one.
Col. Boyd. the superintendent Of the Uni
versity, has given the best years OF his life to
this work, and his earnestness and zeal In the
cause Of education. as well es his undoubted |
ability, entitle him to the respect and con-
fdenee Of the people, and, without expressing |
any opinion upon his management of the de-
tails connected with the University, we have
not the slightest doubt that he will most
cooperate with the Board of Super
vlsors In carrying out any policy which may
be decided upon. after they shall have given
the subject careful examination.
THEATRTNAT IMpOoTTTnN