The National tribune., 1884-03-27

fessions, unless the people take the matter in
hand themselves, demand legislation which
viii suppress quacks in all the professions and
give to collegiate degrees the worth which only
legislation can give them.
One difficulty which apparently complieates
the degree question can readily be disposed Of
This is the desire of individual citizens To
found colleges and universities. The statements
is constantly made that State regulation woiiId
check if it did not destroy, the tendency of
private persons to provide for the needs Of the
higher education. lt happens. however, that
the wiser the private giver the greater bis
desire TO place bis foundation directly under
the administration Of the State, vide James
Lick OF California, and that most wise and
noble glver Of good gifts to the Commonwealth.
Ezra Cornell. But, assuming this not 70 be
the case; assuming the founders sole desire
to be tie perpetuatiou Of bis name and soms
pet dogma--even Ia this extreme ease, state
regulation which established a minimum re-
quirefnent for every students diploma exami-
nation would leave the private founder as freq
to have hls dogma taught rs he Is to-day pro-
vided the dagmatie instruction did not inter-
fere with the science and history the iitera-
ture and philosophy, the medicine and juris-
prudence required by the State. Such regu-
lation would, by establishing a minimum
standard, insure positive public benefit from
every private foundation; whereas. under
present legislation, such as that of PennsyI-
vanIa, which enables most unequally equipped
institutions to bestow equal degrees every
new foundation adds 70 the danger both Of
half-eulture for its graduates and extended
opposition 70 State regulation, l. G., extended
harm to the best interests of the professions
and the community.
AMERICAS NEGLECT.
In no country in the world does applied
science play so large role in the national life
as In the Union in no country in the world
does politics so absorb the attention of the
people as IN the Union. YET in no country in
the civilized world Is the vital connection
between science and government so stupidity
ignored as IL the United States Of America.
In England, every man who holds q ruling
place must be university man, and every man
who holds q subordinate place must pass n
civil service examination and the general
internal administration Of England is, IN con-
sequence, so infinitely better than our own
that every American who lives q half year
IN England must. after honest comparison,
blush for the stupid badness Of his own local
administration. In Germany. every civil ser
want who holds any considerable position must
be university man. and every civil servanb
must pass aeivil service examination and the
/ German civil service is the finest in the world
But there Is another reason Tor this, 10 addition
to the careful qualification Of actual civil serv-
/ ants "Nerwa!fGngslehre the Theory OF the
I Function Of Government us Taught as a uni
versity study. The university man who
makes his degree in the faculty OF iurispru-
denee as doctor jHris rsrgn eanerliaim must
!. pass an examination in Verwaltungslehre1
| in preparation for which be must MAKE himself
/ familiar with a vast literature of the theory
OF administration In Germany. the adminis-
/ istrative branch of government has for years
occupied the attention of learned professors
the duty of the State in every possible relation
to the people, aud the national life, TO the
public health, to education. 70 trade. 10 pauper-
ism, to emigration, to religion, is the study Of
several university years for every aspirant for
public Office Some day We shall follow Ger
many's example in this respect When we
| develop a literature of the theory of the fune-
/! ton of administration and require our law
makers and the men who enforce our law TO
study the subject before attempting to take
| active part in the work of administration we
shall speedily have Boards Of Health and
Boards of Education tor better. Burea1x OF
Health and Bureaux Of Education) which viii
regulate the valne of degrees and prevent the
existence Of alleged or forged degrees.
Meanwhile, the men and women who have
most vital interest in the detection and pun
ishment Of fraudulent physicians, fraudulent
lawyers, and fraudulent teachers, are working
men and women They who have most vital
vice are working men and women. They who
have the most vital interest IN the extension
Of special training. for want OF which in Amer
lea qlseks must continue 20 thrive and State
governments fail 10 perform their functions,
are working men and women.
The working tro8sen Of America can do
! nothing in the matter for want OF the ballot.
The working of America form enor-
nous majority Of the voters Of the Nation.
When they clearly perceive the interest which
they have in the State regulation OF the higher
education they viii obtain il for their own
sake and the sake of the Nation k.