The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-09-18
The Michigan University.

The Michigan University.
II is we'll known that tho University OF
Michigan has attained an honorable rank
among American Institutions devoted TO
the higher education. As we pointed
out some time ago. n review OF its require
mcnts for admission int for graduation
proves thnt its degree OF Bachelor OF Arts
represents an amount md quality OF learn
ing substantially equal to that signifled by
the corresponding certificates issued by
our oldest universities. This institution.
however, is distinguished from most OF Its
academical compecrs by the fact that it
depends for maintenance not upon endow-
ments bestowed by individual citizens. but
upon the continuous approval and resultant
support OF tho community Mt large. ana Is
in the strictcst meaning OF the word the
outgrowth and crown of tho State educa-
tional system. Tho principles on which 1t
Is organized. worked. and governed are set
forth by Prof. HENRY c.. ADAMS IN the
latest number of the Forum.
The general system Of public instruction
actually in force In Michigan embodies the
ideal OF education which was entertained
by THOMAS JEFFERSON. and has long
been carried out in Prussia. The system
differs fundamentally from that prevailing
in New England and widely copied in other
parts Of the Union. According to the orig
innl New England scheme. tho educational
function OF the State was mainly confined
to furnishing free primary schools. which
were only gradually and imperfectly sup
plementcd with grammar schools. For the
secondary education young persons we're
expected to resort to academies. which de-
pended partly or private endowments and
partly on fees received from pupils. At the
apex Of tho system stood the college. which
was fed by tho academies. and. like
them. relied on private endowments and on
fees. In the Prussian system the State as
sumes the threefold functions Of primary.
secondary. and higher education; and 1t Is
Prussia's example which Michigan has fol-
lowed. with only such Emergencies as cor
respond to the difference between q mon
archy and a democratic commonwealth.
This difference Is recognized In the
method Of governing the university. which
Is an organic part OF the system OF instruc-
ton. A unique feature Of the University OF
Michigan is the fact that its governing
body is elected by popular suffrage and Is
regarded as an independent branch Of tho
State Government coordinate with tho
Legislature. Certain precautions. however.
nave been taken TO safeguard the univer-
sity from the mischlefs which are some
times incident to party government. Thus
the election of Regents takes place In con-
junction with the elections OF Judges OF the
Supreme Court in an "off" year. and both
parties have for the most part refrained
from basing nominations to the office Of
Regent on political grounds. 1t is certain
that this method Of organizing collegiate
government has worked we'll In Michigan.
although it is impossible to bring q uni
versity into closer association with the
people than by trusting its management to
an elected Board. and by obliging this
Board to appeal for supplies to an elected
Legislature.
In what sense can the University Of mich
igan be described as the crown OF the State
educational system? Its relation to the
common schools is obvious. The graduates
Of public high schools and OF q few selected
private schools arc permitted to enter the
university without examination. provided
the schools from which they come have
been examined and approved by q commit
tee Of the faculty. Through the operation
Of this proviso the university exercises q
direct influence on tho schools: poor teach
ers arc weedcd out. inadequate text books
are excluded. and uniform courses Of study
are introduced. To the supervision thus
necessarily excrted much Of the efficiency
Of tho whole scheme Of public education In
Michigan is attributed.
One thing ut least seems demonstrated
by tho history OF the University OF Michi-
gan. namely. that an educational system
which Is part OF the State machinery can
never. provided the State DO Democratic In
form. como to mean tho education Of q class,
nor can n university which appeals to the
people for pccuniary support become q CEN
tire from which aristocratic ideas arc dis
seminatcd. In n democracy State cduca-
tion must needs be democratic. for It's con-
tinued existence depends on its being in
harmony with the ideas OF tho people. and
upon the quickness with which 1t responds
to public needs. So much ut all events may
be said for Michigan's inclusion OF a uni
vcrsity in her State educational system.
although in many OF our Eastern States tho
| opinion prevails that the State has per-
formed its whole duty in tho matter Of pub
lie instruction when it has furnished the
means Of primary education.
Art, Drapcry, and Morals.