New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-21
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION.
PROFESSOR RUSSELL MAKES REPORT on HIS
INVESTIGATIONS IN ENGLAND

PROFESSOR RUSSELL MAKES REPORT on HIS
INVESTIGATIONS IN ENGLAND
Albany Nov. 20 (speciaD Professor James f.
Russell who was commissioned by the state Uni
Nersity Convention in July. 1898. to TO Europe
and report whatever struck him being OF the
most Importance to educational institutions in
Network, has written an exhaustive paper
extension Of university teaching in England and
America, which has been printed by the Regents of
the University as an extension bulletin" The
general conclusions of Professor Russell summed
up in the following:
The development and present organization OF the
university extension system leads 20 certain con-
ciusons OF weight in the consideration OF the move
In every community there men and women
sake Of their own Intellectual lie To such as
these the extension OF university teaching comes az
a boon OF which every advantage Is most eagerly
accepted and proftab!y enjoyed. There others
questionable benefit to themselves and TO- society
were they not attracted to the harmless. IL not
methods.
il has been demonstrated that the universities
vision requisite for bringing certain phases Of the
themselves seek ii at the fountain head Tnless #
be true that the higher institutions OF learning
Indirectly from clustered retreats are not TO be
compared with the active influence that may be
shoulder in the promotion OF the common veal
The one great hndrance however, to the progress
educational influence is the lack OF sufficient hnan-
clal support Few men with the proper equipment
can be induced to devote their Nfework to the pre-
carous profession OF tinerant lecturer in which saa-
ries range from fS25 in England and $500 in
America, down to absolute zero, the lower limit
being oftener reached than the higher Few men
have the strength to endure the fatguing journeys
necessitated in circuit work among centres too poor
10 organize properly. District associations cannot
be maintained for lack OF funds support a per
manent secretary. In brief. the best work of uni
yersity extension Is limited. It's highest ideals rem
derei unattainabie. because there Is foundation
on which teachers can take their stand and feel
Themselves secure there j. no assurance that when
the people ask for bread they will not receive
stone
tary. and must it remain. Para doxica as it may
seem. this characteristic is at once its weakness
and It's strength. Compulsory higher education is
an anomaly that needs no explanation State In
specton which looks to success in examina tons.
governmental grants based attendance any
other tangible result regulations in the interest OF
more symmetrc system and for facility in central
management are in the nature OF things opposed
10 those interests based personal freedom. Lehr
some choose lesser good IN place OF greater,
II the system Of university extension coud long en-
dure with State paid teachers or a constituency
longer necessary IL rests today on a purely mis-
sonary basis its strength IS that IL brings to earn
be appreciated and properly USED only by those
who are. can become, interested in truth for its
own sake.
Finally the permanency Of this great educational
movement is dependent economic laws deeper
ana more profound than the enthusiastic encomi-
ums Of its friends or the drastic criticisms of those
VIII produce a greatness OF character commensurate
with the rcsponslbities of modern political life ar
triotc purpose unassaiabe by conniv'ng politicians
or prating demagogues, an education impregnated
noblest conceptions Of mans duty 10 his fellow
man. II the extension OF university teaching, con
ends it becomes an essential factor in National
system OF education. II needs no further apology.