New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-18
PROGRESS AT PRINCETON.
WIDE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COURSES
AND METHODS OF STUDY.
IsTRATIoN-THE NEW ELECTRICAL SCHOOL


IsTRATIoN-THE NEW ELECTRICAL SCHOOL
IMPORTANT CHANGES.
Princeton enters to-day upon its 143d year as
collegiate institution and upon its second year uhuer
the executive administration Of President Pauon'
The keynote Of progress which the new presiueh'
sounded IN his inaugural address has not been ioI.
gotten. have the promises of wide and extehueu
Improvement in the temporal and scholastic ahars
Of the college been idle boasts. Proof OF this Is lS
shown in the generous support which the friends OF
the college have given TO DR. Patton, and especlalH
in the broad changes which mark the new sehemo
Of studies to 60 into effect to-day. these cha"so
Indicate departure which makes possible at Prhee'oh
system Of university education, based on the oes'
European and American models, whioh shall DC as
nearly perfect as II Is possible for wise counsel anu
thoughtful the part OF President Patnh au'
his coworkors in the faculty to mako IT, Not"l'n,
standing these changes the scope and methods OF
Princeton's curriculum, It is clear that Princeton ur
sires still TO preserve, as 1t has In Inc past no
recognized and the good features of the old Amefra
college course and II Is equally evident mat CERTAIN
errors Of ultraprogressve schools OF learning arc "
be carefully avoided. In the middle path Princeton
hopes TO find the safest and the sures road 10 true
learning.
IL may not be amiss TO describe in its main points
those new features which are destined TO work I'M
portant results in the training OF young men ~
Princeton "The principal idea in the revised currc-
uum," said a prominent trustee Of the college yes
terday, ais the preservation OF those require"
studies which are generally regarded as requisite
for the degree OF Bachelor Of Arts with more EXTENDED
opportunities for special studies along the line Of the
students tastes and aptitudes, offered by an enlgeu
scheme OF elective studies. To secure This Object
general change has been made in the plan OF studies
many being shifted from one year to another while
others, formerly required are now made elective
~ Imam
many Of their established features the freshman
course stu consisting entirely of required studies
More fexbillty IS given 10 the sophomore year Dy
allowing the student TO throw his attention more
decidedly In any of the following branches Lath,
Greek, mathematics. French and German, Without a.
the same time dropping any OF them as requreh
studies. In this year two studies appear shifted
from the junior year. chemistry and logic. over
onehalf of the work in junior year ard about one
third in senior year consists Of required studies TheSe
studies, in a general way, include these fundamental
branches Of knowledge mental philosophy, poilucH
science agd history, ancient and modern languages
the mathematical and the natural sciences. In these
courses the circle Of studies necessary 10 liberal
education is completed. More important still, these
required studies have been selected with such dis
elimination and care enable the student to pass
naturally INTO any general elective department 10
which his tastes may lead him, for the courses are
so arranged 10 lead gradually and in logical orler
TO a schome OF specialized studies ahordlng every
opportunity TO the ambitious scholar Following ull'
plan, the studies Of senior more highly special
lied than those Of junior year, and in the graduate
the widest scope for special effort in specai
studies is offered
New courses are introduced, including an
elective course I'm Hebrew and a full course
In electrical engineering, which has been
literally endowed. b. friends Of the college, and In
the perfection of which the greatest pains have
bpgu a4gu ne }
such VIII prepare those who pursue IL 10 engage
which demands a scientific knowledge Of electricity.
The course VIII occupy TWO years, me Sury,s ~
required for admission are mathematics lnclunlnB iB'
onOmetry, analytical geometry and the calculus
physics, and the elements OF chemistry; heSu.dr
this course will be admitted 10 It without examination
the beginning OF their senior year ana acddeIlc
students NAV enter at the same period If they have
pursued the Junior elective The Outht OF the labOra-
tory in all the instruments used In electrical lnveS
legations viii be very complete building VIII o. Dc
place in which standard instruments may be Kept ana
be built of brick. and will be used In It's
construction. 1t win contain large standard tangent
absolute and quadrant eecromeer, sets Of standard
reslsahces ETC. and will be connected with the school
ents used IN the laboratory may be readily COM
pared with the standards.
Another change in the system reduces the college
year from three 20 two terms, with midwinter and
Already the number OF applicants for admission
10 Princeton have been large that there IS con.
siderable difficulty in finding accommodations for all
the students The college dOrmitoHes filed, and
new buildings are already necessary for the overflow
The new dormit0ry 20 be erected through tho gener
osiiy of Mrs. Brown. Of Princeton IS already build
ing and It's completion Will furnish room for
large number. Other buildings arc going up on the
college grounds, and arrangements are now being
made by which the two venerable literary societies,
Whig and Clio, will soon begin the erection of com
modiOus structures. which will be credable to the
societies and ornament 30 the beautiful campus.
The choice OF successor 10 the late Professor
Johnston Is matter Of deep moment to those who
are interested in keeping the department of political
economy mp 10 the hieh standard which Professor
Johnston maintained It Is said that the chair will
be offered 10 Professor Woodrow Wilson. Of Wesleyan
University, graduate Of Princeton and author OF
4" Congressional Government