Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-09
AMERICAN SOCIOLOGLSTS.


Science Association.
A Saratoga special says: The Ameri-
can Social Science Association tonight
began its general meeting. There was
a distinguished assemblage present, in
GLIDING many prominent persons from
every part Of the country. The open
ing address was made by John Eaton,
of Washington, United States Commits
sioner Of Education and president of
the Association. His subject was
"a Word on the Scientific Method in
the Common Affairs Of Life" lie re-
viewed the unsettled problems of human
life, the questions Of healthiul, judi
cious, and conscientious living, which
are TO be answered by the discovery Of
corresponding principles or laws. lie
illustrated his subject by the credence
given the so.called weather prophets
which extends even to the regulation of
the practical affairs Of life as in the
operations Of farmers and sailors.
Laws are important in this as in every
other department Of human action, and
their discovery and use marks the diff
ference between civilization and bar
barism. This is the scientific method,
and it means the careful, patient, COM
pairing, counting, measuring, putting
facts and ideas together, systema-
tizing the record, and generalizing
therefrom. The ignorant man, swayed
by his passions and appetites, re-
jects it. The speaker ridculed
the credulity of men in regulating their
affairs by omens and senseless SUPER
stitions, while neglecting the solid
ground which science has deduced from
observation and experience. Every ad-
vance OF science is Of its own nature
an improvement in the Commonwealth.
Every successful study of the laws of
the world inevitably brings more in
telligent and victorious conflict with the
material evils of life. 1t is by dissem-
ination that truth yields its increase,
and the first step in this fruitful process
is scientific method Of instruction
which is greatly more difficult of attain
ment than scientific method ofresearch.
This is not confined to the school, but
embraces all the agencies by which the
development of sOcietyis accomplished.
Ignorance, passion, and despair lead
men to violent outburSts, and these So
ciety must first quiet; and then, one
by one, minds must be reached. Truth
must be inculcated, reason aroused,
and science brought into action. This
can be done not so well by assailing
them as by informing them, and direct
ing them in safe, healthful, and profita-
BILE directions. Tastes for low and de-
grading prints will be corrected, not so
much by inveighing against them and
thus advertising them as by supplying
better, more attractive. and more val
liable works. thereby creating a taste
that will not be satisfied with the vile.
These considerations gave rise to
speculation concerning the sum and
substance of the information science
can yield for the service of man. Spe-
cially to be noted is the great increase
Of associated action. Formerly only
politics and religion brought men to-
gether in convention. Now they come
as lawyers, doctors, mathematicians.
workmen, sanitarians, sociologists, and
educators. Here the speaker referred
to the great work done in this line by
this Association. The speaker alluded
to the work which civil government
is performing in the collection and re-
cording of the data of sociology. Amer
lea has left the idea behind that govern
ment is merely a sheriffalty and has &C
cepted larger and wider trusts and ac-
tivities for the benefit Of the people.
Formerly the counting of men was done
to ascertain nations strength for war,
while now the decennial census covers
everything relating to the progress and
condition of the people and affords a
much safer basis for valuable general
izations.