New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-02
iutendent Of fheNaval observatory from 1867 to 1873
He was retired February IL, 1874
CoEDUoa4ION AT O0AVMBIA.
The TRUSTEES OFFER DECLARED WORTH
LESg ~

WHAT WAS ASKED FOR AND WHAT HAS BEEN
GRAnTEp-No HOPE OF BETTER THINGS UNTIL
DIR. nix RETIREs.
TO Inc Edftor or The Tribune.
SIR: TIE ong-promised report of DR.. Dix's
committee I'm references TO the elevation OF tho standard
Of female education through the agency of Columbia
College, last before the public, aud subject to crit
cis,n by those who do not look through the deeply
coored glasses OF it's author In The TRIBUsEs editorial
IN the subject the report. is characterized very
guarded" This mid term; 1t suggests battery OF
sdieeuves that impetuous person might discharge
with decided vigor The report is 10 impenetrably
guarded the commisae must not be surprised If all
the potential good be supposed to boid IN reserve
remains locked ap until DE- Dix retires from his present
stronghold.
There has been not tic slghtest popular demand for
what Is offered in this report; or II 1t has been latent 1t
has certainly not been puoisly expressed what nas
been ase freedom of access for women to Lectures
and examinations In Columbia College; the opportunity
for tbeK to receive advanced instruction from who
aic generally acknowledged TO be masters In their re-
spectve departments DrDtxs committee distinctly and
emrhatoaly refuse this They offer nothing that tue
women did already possess For several years pact
the Harvard examinations for women have been annu-
ally open who cond secure for themselves COM
pctent private instructors. The opportunity now Is
prcssnted for them between the examination
papers OF Harvard and OF Columoa the Harvard requ
stons being quite high and the Harvard Annex being
the goal toward which fair proportion OF the Candidates
we're looking But IL there any such visible goal at
Columbia CoIlegei There Is none; It's existence Is un-
eauyOcaiy forbidden except under impossible condl-
lions; and there little to hopett Will ever exIsor
that Columbia College will ever take any practical
measures in behalf Of women, long as DIR. DIX has
control of work OF tns committee. 1t IL not 10
human for man suddenly and voluntarily 10 re-
treat extreme position. publicly assumed like
that taken by tho OF toe late Lenten leotures
something may be accomplished II Dr. Dix will retire
from committee, aud It's leadership be assigned to
liberal iuan. DIR. Dixs plan, published IN The rKTB
UkE presents little thai likely to bernay attractive
TO young women, few, any, OF them need be ex-
pectsd to advantage OF the hollow oher In this
event. Justly cite the result as proof that
We have young women capable and DESTROYS OF mas
tering the higher education deored by Dr. DIX
Under existing conditions II all OF orr yoang women
treat the new offer with indifference and express
their preference for the Harvard examinations orig
mating friends rather than enemies, aud leading 10
the opportunity for instruction directly the hands Of
the Harvard professor Dr. DIX can have Only hilnsen
TO blame defeat resulting from his own blunder.
Evcn Harvard examinations the annual number
o. candidates has beou SMALL small indeed that ut
ono 1t we-ngh decided TO discontinue them,
excerpt nt Cambridge, after 1888. d.. Dix's plan
aonts nothing than the statement that. II am
bilious yonng adcs will provide themselves with ac-
ties which are usually obtalnable only in colleges but
young ladies uncomfortable. the faculty OF the college
will nevertheless ertclse wha, has been done elsewhere
under great difficulties. II the Harvard eHnininations
have thus prouosd is effect upon the secondary
&C nOos girls - to expect that those
OF Columbia College will meet with more decided re-
Spouse.
The schools will not be apt TO heed any recommenda-
lions from the trustees the college, unless real
benefit visible. Tue prospect OF INSTRUCTION IN
the college b. professors woIId doubtless have some
smu atng effect II the Gspirants have liberty to choose
their own subjects after demonstrating their dtness 10
graphic with these instead OF being bound to liked cur
ncnum The Outle OF tue group. OF stidies when tho
report Includes IL excellent; but the radical vice OF TIE
All possible dicu les in the way Of the female students
by denying them teachers Dest qualified to
give tne needed preparation IN recent communication
10 fHE TRIBUNE ample proof given that the plea,
for tho young WOMEN. IL mere pretencr, the
Gazing capacity each esturc-rOom and cass-ruom
being In excess OF present necessities ana the sr.us
much Ia excess OF any probable ihfix OF women. The
real ana only serious dcuiy found IN arbitrary
prejudice against allowing Teae students 60 III IN t9e
of ulRc students. TO ms DI D1 10 thoroughly
committed aid. until Il Is removed, the influence "
Columbia College on female education VIII continue 81
most II not quite, uurecoenizabe. For dozen years
past crumbs OF know edge we're Illegally but Eighty
picked up by occasional young lau.es 10 the iso'uas.
oIbids even tins. ana tie youn ladies' VII be exAonG
uniy qualities that quite natural n they lapse INTO
persel Indifference about the marvellous generosity 1T
Dr. DIS offer. 49,
quite possible thai few Of our best einale soboos may
modify their OF study and give al encourage
10 their best students 10 work UP 10 the Cuiioia
standard IL Il 10 be topped that the eOrt will be made
But one In Now-York Is doing 20 much as Dr. DIX 10
qurnch the legitimate aspirations Of young ladies WHO
cannot 60 OF 70 Nassar Or Wcesle yet wish TO Obtain
reasonable facilities for TIE prosecution OF special studies
Dc, ond limits or the fashionable rchOos. No one Is
doing 30 much be 10 ailehDte those who otherwise
might be willing help the college with gifts intended
behe female students The reaty OF mis- desire that
Columbia should nationally respond 10 the petition
la'eiy presented sufficiently shown IN the sentence Of
the report comm tee have NOT deemed 81 neces-
sary therefore, ASCERTAIN how many tho faculty OF
wond be willing volunteer Tor work OF this
low tDrlf services SnOlliu no ltcOin
enscd" ft Is weliknown that Professors Chandler New
terry, aud others favorable to the admission 81
women but their opinions not wanted by the chair
man ~ the committee. and consultation ~ obviously UNI
necessary The door OF TIT college being firmly locxed
IA useless 10 consult any Under the conditions
imposed 10y DR. DIX his reported plan Il simply worth.
Lees conditions bs removed II Will In time result
IN much good 10 the uf female education III New
YORK. But they will not no removed by Dr. DIX; and
nc good he expected until lie rcres from a COM
dudes lao b en- iroly diAq ialihed.