The herald., 1896-09-12

cultural nature to the Agricultural Editor,
The Herald, Los Angeles, CALI
To Excuse Is to Accuse
The following letter was received by
the agricultural editor:
Editor Herald: l have noticed and
read with exceeding regret the several
articles in the agricultural department
of your paper rejecting upon the work
and management of the agricultural de-
partment of our state university. Par
don me II say that in my opinion such
articles are very harmful although they
may be and often are written with the
very best Of intention.
believe that every true citizen Of CAL
ifornia Is proud Of our university and
takes great satisfaction in the thought
that we as q state, though so small,
have twollarge universities which right
ly receive the respect of the cultured
people ofthe world AS the universities
cannot exist without increasing the re-
spect for education all over the state.
they are directly of advantage to every
citizen of our commonwealth. Every
school and college is also helped by the
success of our universities. If there Is
anything nsour state that gives promise
of brighter and better future l believe
II Is the fact that our two universities of
the north are crowded with students.
When Stanford university started, the
University of California made grand
stride forward. When the two univesi-
ties Of the north are successful every
educational institution of our state will
feel the impulse and receive added life.
I believe that our state university is
doing more for the reputation and real
advancement of our people than any
other one thing in our state.
~ Co. <k,f of t1,0p
among us many people who sneer at
higher education and are only too ready
to grasp at anything that shall hinder
its progress or stay the work of our high
er educational Institutions. Thus, I be-
lieve, that any word of criticism upon
any department of the university tends
to injure the institution and thus is to
be deprecated by all true lovers of learn
ing.
II this be true, I can but believe that
granting there was foundation for all
the harsh words regarding the agricul-
tural department, 1t would still be mis-
take to send forth such articles In the
public press. have no doubt that the
regents of the state university are fully
alive to its interests and greatly desire
to do everything that will further them
They are right at the seat of action and
certainly are better prepared to judge
of the work of each department than can
anyone be who is so far removed as we
are in Southern California. Would it
not be much wiserjto send criticisms to
them rather than to publish them in the
press and thus send them broadcast in
the state to prejudice the minds of those
who are already opposed to higher edu-
cation? This would be far more ef-
fective method and without any evil re-
suits.
But to the especial subject of criticism:
I have known DR.. f. w. Hilgard as
scientist and educator for more than
twenty years. I have often had occa-
sion to study closely his work, and be-
lieve that 1t stands among the best done
in our country. I believe him to be one
Of the most careful and painstaking of
our scientists, and he has certainly been
untiring as an investigator in the
realm Of science. also know that very
few of the scientists of our country
have a better or better-earned reputa-
tion as scientific investigator than he
has. Indeed, his reputation reaches be-
yond our shores, and there is not a coun-
try in Europe where his work is not
known and favorably received. Again.
I myself have been in just such posi-
tion for twenty-seven years as that oc-
cupied by DR.. Hilgard, and I know, as
few can, the burden that is upon him.
AS the work of teacher, he must keep
abreast of the times and do hard, honest
work for his pupils. L believe that DR..
Hilgard does not slight his work in the
least He Is also at the head of the ex-
pertinent station, and this brings bur-
den of responsibility that no one can ap-
preciate until he has carried it. FIRE.
quently q single investigation goes
through weeks and requires immense la
Dor. To my positive knowledge, DR..
Hilgard has carried on and is carrying
on just such lines of investigation. The
burden and responsibility of such work
is often well-nigh overpowering. I wish
that we might all appreciate, that we
might all say helpful rather than him
dering words to one who has the burden
to carry. Again, the correspondence
that one has to carry on in such posi-
tion is enormous. Each letter demands
an answer, and ofttimes the work re-
Quired to give suitable answer is heavy
indeed. It Is not surprising that with
all these rounds of duties resting upon
him, DR.. Hilgard should have given Of
fense, and he would be far more than hui
man II he has never made mistakes.
have been with DIR. Hilgard in attend
ing the farmers institutes for many
days together. and have rarely met a
scientist who is more ready to disclaim
perfection than he. In the past few
weeks I have met and talked with a
large number of our people regarding
DR.. Hilgard's work, and, with hardly
al eXCeptlOD, every O1S WIN WnOn
have spoken has referred in highest
: terms to Dr. Hilgard's researches and
the valuable aid he has given to our
state
believe that the regents Of the Uni
versity OF California are keen in Their
scrutiny Of the work of all the depart
ments of the university. By their re-
cent action regarding farmers institutes
they show that they are very desirous
to make the work of the agricultural
department in the fullest degree vaiu-
z able to the. farmers. That they will
watch carefully our interests in this
department and make any needed
changes as soon as the merits of the
case warrant have not a doubt. Shal
we not then better serve the grand
cause of education and better minister
to the interests of the state If we send
any criticism that may seem called fo,
directly to the regents OF the university
and receive from them. as am sure we
always will, explanations, probably sat.
isfactory ones. rather than to harshl,
criticise the university, especially as We
may ourselves be mistaken? Yours
truly. -t~ A. j, COOK
September s. 1896
REPLY
Although the above letter in no va,
1atsmpts to answer the specific criti