Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-19
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

Secretary Bonte of the State University,
in his report to the Board of Regents, re-
ferring to the wants of the University,
well says:
If the people of California are willing to ap-
preciate the grand work of the University if
they choose to avail themselves of its benefcent
influences; If they desire to foster this great
power. they must recognize and meet the fact
that universities are necessarily expensive
They are not as expensive as the several forms of
political life but they are expensive. neverthe-
less. Every well populated county or city costs
more than university. while they do not meet
the wants of people in a degree comparable to
the university. 1t is necessary to f4miliarize
the people of the State with the increasing
wants of the University wants that relate. not
TO the people who are employed IN the Univer-
sity, but wants that concern the life OF great
people. and wants that are cared for only by a
true university.
The poorest economy in the conduct of
great educational institute is niggardly
one. If there is cause for complaint at the
unwillingness of Legislatures to make
sufficient appropriations for the University
in all its departments, it is due mainly to
the fact that the majority of legislators are
subservient TO political ambition; are the
slaves of the narrow and mean fear that
possibly, the people may not indorse them.
The Secretary, therefore, is wise in saying
that it is well to familiarize the people
with the wants of the University. The
peoples sober final judgment on these
matters is altogether likely to be Just, and
they can make their representatives give
legal voice to their wishes.
The people of California are friendly to
the University. They wish to see its full
possibilities developed They have never
yet manifested discomfort at the appropri-
ations made for it they recognize them to
be intellectual and civIlizing investments.
Wanton waste and indiscriminate expend-
iture they condemn; but any need of the
University for its proper development, and
to make it what it should be, they would
respond to. Naturally, the University
Board of Management, as in all other in
Stitutions of like character, enthused with
schemes in hand, may be expected 10 make
the claims for State aid very urgent. 1t is
not, therefore, surprising that even con-
scientious and fearless legislators should
hesitate and inquire before responding
nor that demagogic and partisan legisla-
tors should treat this urgency as text for
sounding periods for State economy and
the draft on the taxpayers pockets.
Your out and out demagogue is always
fluent on these subjects. His estimates of
educational progress is bounded by the
milling of the American dollar. But, we
repeat, the great thought and sentiment of
the people of California are warm toward
the University, and favor broad, liberal
and encouraging policy. 1t may be timely
suggested, however, that the Board of Re-
gents of the State University is heavy
body. The majesty" of It's great office
appears to have withdrawn it somewhat
from the people. If the Board win climb
down just little from its exalted posi-
ton; get little closer to the people, and
take pattern, somewhat, after the frankness
of its Secretary-in short, if it will under
take to unbend sufficiently, it will find no
difficulty whatever in educating the peo-
Pile up to the needs of the University, and
will secure generous response by their
Legislatures, without having to dog at the
heels of the Legislators or play policy in the
lobby with political bosses and time-serv-
ing members of the houses.