Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-19
PRESIDENT HoLDEN's COMPLAINT


The first concern OF President Holden.
Of the State University, Is to increase the
number of students. The sum of the
college registers is much too small for him.
Ihls causes the San Francisco Bulletin to
express the thought that "the disproportion
of students to the population of the State"
IS due to the business atmosphere prepon-
derating in California-that is, we are not
yet in the educational atmosphere. The
idea expressed is that young men prefer
20 early seek methods for making money
rather than for intellectual development
by thorough university training.
There is only grain of truth in this.
The State University, in its past, has given
cause for the falling off 1t has not
always been fortunate in its official
character, and has not at all times
IN this respect inspired that conf
dence so essential to successful administra-
ton and the respect of the people and the
students The past year has been hard
one, and the people have not felt warranted
IN the expense necessary TO maintain their
sons and daughters at the university.
SO far as the business atmosphere inau-
encing youths is concerned, our observation
has been that if the sincere desire of
young men and women is consulted It is
found to DE strongly inclined to a uniyer-
sity course, and the rushing early into
business Is really chargeable less to them
than to their parents and guardians.
But the idea that the educational at
mosphere is not experienced here is one
OF little force, because the statistics.
to which the Bulletin itself appeals
de not justify its conclusions. In
abe first place there is more mental activity
here, and 1t is better distributed than
among youth in the New England States
and this is capable of demonstration.
The California youth is essential Cali
iornian, and he fits in and fills needs to
which the Eastern youth is, in the major
~ VI SasSs, uiiu1fJeO-
In the next place, it is a fact that there
are more youths, in the aggregate, in Cali
fornia colleges in proportion to the popu-
latIon than in the most dense educational
atmosphere Of the East. 1t will enlighten
our contemporary to overhaul the statistics
on this point.
The educational stimulus felt by New
England youth, and which the Bulletin
argues must be felt here, never will be ex-
perlenced in California, nor should it be
Its character is wholly unrelated to
California conditions and activities. Asa
rule, IL takes the Eastern educated youth
about two years of bitter experience in CAL
liornia TO get ont of grooves and up into
the atmosphere of our vitality.
But the sentimental idea has deprived
US OF good many students-the idea that
moves Eastern graduates to send their
sons and daughters back to the alma
matters that fill their ideal of university
capacity. However, that class has about
ceased TO affect US.
But conceding that the college registers
should be larger we are in a formative
sstage our conditions are new: the set
ting process in our society is not com
pleted, nor will it be for some years. But
the University in truth is underestimate
at present. 1t is considerably in advance
OF the State. 1t has not been fully
appreciated by our people. 1t is in reality
In the first rank of Universities to-day, and
IN some respects is in advance of any SINH
lar institution in America. Nor is this
exaSSeration or enthusiasm. 1t is fact.
-demonstrable. There are few institutions
OF Its age better equipped and none with
broader natural advantages. In fact. as
has well been said, California is a Uni
versity in ITSELF" There are very few If
any, institutions that cn point to such
excellent results.
ihe Signs indicate to us that there is to
DC great deal more of fitting for college
IN the next half decade than in all the
past. Our preparatory schools are all in
very much better working condition
-lameness in their methods is disappearipg
the people are waking up to the superior
ity of trained brain over mere muscle or
scurrying business wit. The University
itself has stepped up and out of all its
sloughs in the choice Of President Holden,
and the revival of interest in it, for which
the Bulletin pleads, has not only really set
in, but all the antagonisms that it encoun-