The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-09
poornIsAlnxs IN SOCIALISM,.


For some time there has been dissatisfac-
tion on the part OF the president aud other
members Of the faculty Of tho Wisconsin
university with the teaching Of Prof. Ely,
who IL the director Of the school Of eco
Monies I'm that institution. Besides the
dissatisfaction referred 10. charges from
without have been made OF such charac-
ter as to cali for investigation by the re-
gents OF the institution.
Prof Ely lie doctriaaire in socialism.
who in the solitude of his study sees that
society as now constituted Is entirely
wrong and that 10 Is in urgent need Of
complete revolution. A man with mind
20 comprehensive as 10 see that all abuses
of the social organism spring from the
fundamental principles OF society would
naturally conclude thash Is the inspired
genius that must substitute a new and
better plan. Such . man IS Prof Ely. In
bis lectures to tho students Of his course
he condemns the fundamental principles
that nnderlis our present industrial order
and substitutes others upon which be
builds an elaborate and perfect system of
government He would organize the pro-
duotiye forces Of society upon more
scientific plan, make better distribution
of the annual social income" do away
with all competition 80 wastefnl. abolish
inheritance, and nationalize all capital. so
that every man would be capitalist to
the extent Of being common sharer in
the whole.
| Prof Ely Is not different from several
other professors of political economy who
avail themselves of an audience OF college
pupils TO ride political hobby, The mis-
take they make is in departing from the
teaching OF principles that are established
both Theoretically and practically and en-
tering field Of economics that is contro-
verslaI. ii not wholly ideal 1t is the pro-
fessoF's province TO teach what is. not
what ought TO be--io educate. not to in.
doctrlnate.
Teaching Is great science. and the pro
fcssor who negEcets the culture and in
straotson belonging to his department aud
wastes his time in filing the minds of
boys with his own speculations, prasti-
ta.es the high ofiies oftesehing and shows
his unhtnsss for college or university
work. lie should devote his energy in
developing mental Cher and In giving
practical instruction, 50 that the bows who
have completed college or university
course will thereby be the bsttsr prepared
for actual citizenship and have for the
solution of the future problems Of society
an increase Of mental discipline.
Parents send their boys 10 college 10
get that culture and instruction that are
not TO be had at home. aud not TO be in
stil!sd with social theories that fiud no
sanction among practical psopls. aud they
certainly would have reason 80 complain
II their boys returned indostrinated with
the Impractical aud dangerous principles
of socialism. They would mach prefer TO
keep them al home: for g multitude OF
socialists that pirate upon the streets are
iess dangerous than . single college pro
ssssor sho. through the sanction OF the
pafsut sscurss in The pupil wtainK ear
and . plAslie naind
Ala time when schools are multiplying.
in oss universities the regents shoald leok
closely AFTER the work Of thssr institutions
aud zee Ihat dogmas are nos taught that
ere tneousislent with the curriculum aad
dangerous 70 society. A man Sho teaches
socialism from . professional chair "a a
university Is slIs worst kind Of dena-
scaus- hs brlnss discrsdit npoa the ln-
shtatlea snd suspicion upon the faculty.
and saeh regents as have the courage 10
weed ost tie dangerous Seofriaatrs wall
reserve the spprohAtlDn OF the American
people.