St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-15

piration of that time all would change,
and so on till each professor had queS-
toned each student: then the students
ran out, and the professors came to-
gether. The chairman Of the eXamin-
lining board would say "Jones," and
nine cards would go down on the table.
If five had the white side up, JoneSpNas
doctor Of medicine, if five of the cards
were put down with the black spot up,
Jones was not doctor of medicine. And
yet think we had just as good law and
medical schools as there was anywhere
in the country. But things are not done
that way now. In medicine the course
is three years, nine months each year,
and a fourth year elective, but taken by
nearly all. The requirements of the
law schools, also, are from two
to three years, and hence it becomes
plain that when so much lies beyond the
degree of B. A. the requirements for
that degree ought to be slightly cut
down. There is still another change
that should be mentioned. Twenty
years ago four-fifthS of the time was de-
voted to Latin, Greek, mathematics and
mental philosophy. To-day those who
go to Harvard may take what they
choose; and, as matter of fact, large
number of students begin to specialize
by the sophomore year.
IL wish to say here, in answer to
those who think that specialization
Makes a TTan Narrow,
that there is no field of knowledge but
what is broad enough to broaden any
man who will thoroughly and courage
ously investigate it in the spirit OF mod
ern science"
Another change is that toward col
lectiOnS. Collections Of books, aStr0nO-
mical collections, etc.; why, we never
thought or the library when l was in
college. do not believe | was ever in
the library more than four or five times
during my whole course. But to-day
we have a library of $4,000 books and
200 pamphlets. These are distrib-
uten about in the class rooms where
they can be conveniently used, and we
know they are we'll used"
In closing, President Eliot referred to
the time when Harvard university re-
ceived aid from the state, but he said
that now for seventy years no sup
port had been received from the state,
and that seventy years had been the
best years of its life. He predicted
that after while, when the state shall
cease to give money to the state univers-
ity of Minnesota, the private endow-
ments will far exceed the most liberal
state appropriations"
AS President Eliot took his seat, Pres
dent Northrop advanced to the front of
the stage and said:
II am exceedingly glad of this oppor-
tunity to hear how they get along back
in New England. 1t has been about six
years since | left there, and it does me
good to hear they are still moving along
back there; if they continue faithful
they may catch up with us out here yet"
Then, in few brief sentences Presi-
dent Northrop said he hoped the think
ing men of Minnesota would consider
the suggestion thrown out by PreSi-
dent Eliot about the value of library
and the possibilities of the individual
endowment principle. He said he did
not believe there was spot in the world
where a Minnesota man who has money
could put it where it could do more
good than into a library for the state
university.
Those present on the stage beside
Presidents Eliot and NOrthrop and many
others were: Judge Stearns, State
Mahoney, Rev. J. H. futile, Mrs. g. w.
Eliot and Mrs. DR.. French, Mr.. and Mrs.
II. NJ. Knox, Judge Elliott, Rev. Will
lam Wilkinson, E. S. Waters and Rev.
NJ. d. Shutter.
President Eliot has very few qualifica
tions of the orator. His presence is
commanding and his style clear, but his
delivery is entirely free from gestu re
and tempered very little with warmth.
He speaks in deep voice, with ample
meditation of voice for the strictly con-
versational style which he employs. He
stands with his hands folded before him
most of the time.
In the evening President and Mrs.
Eliot were rendered a reception at the
residence of President Northrop, which
was largely attended.