Arizona republican., 1890-11-10
EDUCATIONAL CONCENTRATION.

EDUCATIONAL CONCENTRATION.
 Men who have been remarkably sue cessful in public affairs have usually
 been gifted with uncommon mental powers, and by zealous effort have focal ized their energies upon the work specially committed to their care. With associations of individuals, united for particular purpose, the same principle prevails. In all the large cites and towns of America the common schools are harmoniously managed by boards of education, generally assisted by a super intendent. In some of the cities there is still another class of educators known as supervisors of schools. In the ex- ceptional cases where one or more of the educational officials hold eccentric views, or prove unfaithful to their trusts, the other members of the board can generally prevent any nasty or inn prudent action. These boards work together with the teachers with very little friction, like the complex mechan- ism of nicely-adjusted machinery. Hence the public schools of this country have
 been acknowledged as patterns of excel lence by the best instructors in other lands.
 Unfortunately similar degree of su periority is not always attainable in the higher institutions of learning. In most of the Western States there has been tendency to multiply colleges without maintaining proper standard of scholarship. In this enlightened cen tury, so varied are the departments of liberal education that very large sums are required for the support of a large corps of professors, and the establish ment of laboratories, museums, observa- tories and other necessary appliances for the thorough mastery of modern science. Only few American colleges have libraries sufficiently large to sup ply the need of students in all branches of learning.
 Each of the leading religious denom- nations is desirous of supporting col lege under it's own direction in every and growing section of the United States. Yet very little distinc- lively sectarian instruction is imparted outside of theological seminaries. If strictly denominational colleges must be leading to the several degrees in arts and sciences, money would be saved and the quality of instruction might be improved by reducing the number of institutions, enlarging the facilities of those retained and defraying the travelling expenses of indigent stud ents.
 There are two sides to every impor- tant question and a number of small colleges have sustained an excellent record for many years, and in such cases it will often be found that the faculty includes some professors of re- talent, superior training in some speciality or surpassing energy and zeal An institution of this character will preserve it's vitality under any cir exempliiying the survival of the fittest." Another valid argument for small colleges is the large proportion of instruction given to each student.
 If it be considered expedient to retain all the colleges now in existence, per haps their efficiency might be increased by placing several of them under com mon system of regulations and appoint ing an examining board of experienced educators in a large measure independ- ent of the local instructors. At Oxford and Cambridge, in England, there are numerous colleges and halls, each of which receives students and instructs them in the studies required of under graduates. But the examinations for degrees are conducted by the univer- sities alone, in such manner that col lege favortism is impossible. Lectures on special topics are given under the of the universities and students in special departments have access to the immense field of research provided db bllOSS dHClSuL SCdio Ol lSdilllHks
 But it may be truly said that the edu cation adapted to American students is sui generis, and cannot be conducted &C., cording to European models. To con. siderable extent this is questionably true. But possibly the experience of in justly renowned educational centers may not be absolutely without value in our unfettered and progressive Western institutions. A servile imita- ton of antique customs and foreign methods is certainly not desirable, and only such restrictions as may be in ac cordance with true liberality and gen line advancement should be tolerated for a moment. If any changes are needed in our educational system, the safest course will be to "make haste slowly"