St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-01
The President Of Michigan
University Lectures to
the Students.
His Address Under the Au-
spices of Phi Beta
Kappa.
A Big Row at the Univer-
sity Over the Homeo-
paths.
All Physicians Of This Faith
to Be Asked to Re-
sign.

fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, delivered
by President Angel, of Ann Arbor.
Upon the platform beside the speaker
were seated President NorthrOp, DR..
Brooks. DR.. Folwell, DR.. McLain and
Supt. D. l.. Kiehle.
The hall was decorated as it had been
upon the previous night for the senior
promenade, and presented a fine ap-
pearance.
AS president of the local chapter of
Phi Beta Kappa, DR.. Brooks presided,
and, after calling upon Supt. Kiehle to
lead in prayer, in an appropriate speech
introduced President Angel, who spoke
OH the development of American
State Universities" A synopsis of his
address is as follows: western uni
yersties are of recent growth. Origin
ally American colleges were only found
in the East, but now many Western
states contain institutions like that of
Minnesota, which compare faVorab ly
with the best. Your own university is
remarkable among the growing institu-
tiOns, both in number of faculty and
students, also in equipment and variety
of work.
The conditions of American state uni
ver5itieS are far different from educa-
tional institutions to be found either IN
England or Germany. Consequently
we are not to expect similar results.
They are also different from denomina-
tiOnaI schools found even in this cOun-
try.
State universities are working under
numerous difficulties, from which other
colleges are exempt. There is the lack
OF resources where the institutions
are obliged to draw their sup
port from the sale of state
lands. This is in many states Il serious
matter. Again, the influence of politics
often causes sad havoc with the work
ing of university, an evil flom which
denOminatiOnal schools are free. Lastly,
they are exposed to public discussion,
which is apt to prove an injury. The
impression is abroad that state schools
are not productive of Christian char
acter, and this often proves serious
difficulty in building up great inStitu-
tion. There is on the whole no ground
for the idea. 1t might possibly happen
to both regents and faculty were set
of goddess men. AS rule, instructors
OF the higher education are Christian
men, who are interested as we'll in the
affairs of the church as of education.
The fact of the case is this: Any inSti-
tuition is just what its directors
make it. Good men, instead of fault
finding. should use their influence
where it can be most felt to improve the
state of religion in state institutions. 1t
is useless to hope for their end. Lastly,
with state universities dependent upon
legislative appropriation. there is an i'll
stability felt by faculty and students
which cannot but be productive of evil.
The best way is that now In operation in
many states, Minnesota among the rest,
OF laying tax upon all property. This
experience shows TO be more perma-
nent and Ill all respects better way of
Taising revenues.
While there are these disadvantages,
there are also certain advantages which
state universities possess over all others.
They afford eqnal opportunity to rich
and poor. If the poor boy has the
same chance as the rich, there is
no need to fear the domination
of money. The state university
is a fitting completion of the work
of the high school. In your own state
there is an admirable system by which
the university and high schools are CO.
related in such way that every child
in the lower school is melted to am
bition for the higher education.
The state university also fits
teachers who take up the work in
the public schools. This is of great
Importance to the state, as there is need
in every community of cultured and
educated men. The state institution is
able to offer greater variety of studies
than in private schools. "A great uni
versity, in fact. teaches everything ex-
cept theology. Lastly, coeducation is
the rule in these institutions, and their
influence is fast doing away with the
so-called female seminaries.
The state univerSities,aS well as other
similar institutions. have needs, some of
which are the following: First, there
is need of attention on the part of the
regents. This seems simple remark,
but experience shows it is worthy of
mention. The executive must be man
of advanced thought. He must be able
to harmonize all differences ex-
isting either among faculty or
students. He must have business
ability. You will say this is
a rare man, but it has been your good
fortune to find such one. Again, the
work of the university should be under
stood by the people of the state. 1t is
not often supposed an aristocratic insti-
tuition. The poor boy stands as well as
the rich; in fact, there is no place where
brains count for SO much. There is need
of continuous growth. When a uni
versity ceases to grow it begins to die.
1t is not the number of buildings, but
the character of the Instructors that
gives value to any institution. Lastly
there is need of loyal support on the
part of the student body. Without
students there can be no university,
and they make the report which goes
out concerning the college.
There is great hope for the future of
state universities. One thing is needed.
There must be men trained for the high
pursuits of the world, We must have
men of worth, such as only great state
university can produce. In this work
may the University of Minnesota do her
full part"
At the conclusion of the address op-
portunity was given for those desiring
10 shake hands with the speaker, which
many availed themselves of.
President Angel is a man of wide
and varied experience. In 1S49 he was
graduated at Brown university at the
age of twenty. He spent some time in
Europe studying and travelling, and on
his return in 1858 was appointed pro-
fessor of modern languages and litera-
ture in Brown university. In 1860
he became editor of the Provi-
deDce Daily Journal. which place
he occupied until called to the
presidency of the University of Yer
mont in 1866. In 1871 he became presi-
dent of the University of Michigan, an
Office he has since continued to fill ex-
cept during the years 1880, Isl. which he
spent in China as minister from the
United States and also as chairman of
a special commission appointed to ne
gotiate treaty with China. This com
mission procured treaty in commercial
matters and also one on Chinese immi-
grafton. He has contributed many arti-
cles to periodical literature.