Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-02-22
ANGELES DAILY HERALD THURSDAY MORNING FEB


We see upon our thoroughfares the
robust frame Of our ex-Supreme Justice,
8. G. Hastings. He seems as strong as
an elephant. This gentleman deserves
large credit for his generosity.
In 1878 he made a donation of $780,,
900 to the State of California for the
purpose of establishing College Of
Jurisprudence to be connected with the
State University. Upon the basis Of
this donation perpetual annuity has
been created Of per cent. upon the
contributed capital. with a stipulation
on the part of the State to provide
lecture halls at the University and in
the city of San Francisco. At present
the college numbers some $50 students.
under two profsssorships. One Of the
incumbents is DR.. John Norton Pome-
roy. the noted legal author and publi-
cist, the other is lawyer of note, as well
as Of large literary accomplishments,
Calhoun Benham. 1t would seem the
State and University have failed to fur
nish the stipulated assembly rooms.
This dereliotion has driven the donor
to cause to be reported by the Educa-
tional Committee Of the Senate now in
session. bill permitting the Judge to
Withdraw entirely from the Office OF
Dean Of the College, and to deliver
the College to the Regents Of the Uni.
versity--but upon the proviso that the
city of San Francisco furnish without
delay. and within its precincts, proper
assembly room for the use Of the Col
lege--and with the further very rational
condition that an annual course Of
lectures be delivered by the professors
Of the College to the municipal officers
of said city in regard to their ofiic ial
duties. This we regard as a most CON-
feature. No official needs in.
structions more than those same venal
and eccentric and lawless gentlemen.
It will thus be seen that this benev.
olent gentleman purposes to sever en-
tirely his present connection with the
the creature Of his bounty.
But he will do SO on condition that his
son, Robert P. Hastings,
now President of the San Francisco
Board of Education, be promoted to his
place, and with life tenure, to the
position Of Dean Of the College, and
that, for the future, when a vacancy
occurs in the Deanship his successorship
shall vest in q male descendant Of the
founder, If duly qualified for the
position, such selection to be made,
and his qualifications adjudicated
BY the members of the
supreme Court There may be a
little vanity in this, and yet not at all
We must remember that
he Institution Is tho creation of the
Judge, and sustained entirely by his
means. 1t Is quite natural
hat his pride in its continuance and
will duly descend to his
,ffspring. He and they are properly
Untitled to the Office in which ia vested
he main control Of the College-and
more especially as no compensation per-
aims 10 the Dsanship. From the alb
enee Of such paternal interest, SO to
peak, many like institutions in England
rave either collapsed entirely. or have
'un into private channels to the sub
eryience Of private ends. 1t may be
veil to add that the College faculty |
consists of Dean and Registrar, pro-
essors, readers and instructors--th |
Dean constituting the business mana
,er, acting under the Board Of the Uni
'ersity Regents.
We say Judge Hastings is entitled to
,reat credit for his liberality. He loves
lis profession. His bounty has enabled
II, who SO wish. to enter thst profess
ion disciplined in legal principles. 1t
we're a good thing If the affiuent of
'ur State would initiate his generous
PRECEDENT How much better to estab.
ish and endow institutions Of learning
han to hoard money for ungrateful off. |
pring to squander in revelry and de.
'auchery.