The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-24


suppose that the average age of those
prepared to satisfy the requirements will
be at least nineteen. This IS about the
age of the graduate of our wOmen's col
leges. But whether they be seventeen
or eighteen or nineteen, those who
possess mental training sufficient to enter
the Junior or Senior class, and are 50
deeply in earnest as to apply for admis-
sion, can be trustel to observe the pro-
prieties and to take care of themselves III
every respect.
What outlay of money will be neces-
sary to prepare accommodations for those
who come? On the plan here proposed,
not q dollar. For the present and pos
sibly for a few years to come, they will
be able to find good board in one or more
of the boarding houses in the college
villages. In time. as the number in
creases. some friend or friends will pro-
vide for their use well appointed build
ing. as was done at Cornell and Brown
and as Mr.. Duke is doing now at Trinity.
Will the trustees have to provide ad-
ditional teaching force. No; the women
will take their places in the lecture rooms
and laboratories with the men; and the
teachers now employed in any one of
these colleges can instruct one hundred
and fifty more student than are now
present.
Will the adoption OF the plan cripple
existing institutions or prevent the build
ing of new ones in other portions OF
North Carolina? If so, it should not be
adopted; for a school of high grade in
any section creates a demand for educa-
ton brings it Within the reach of a
large number Of persons, who, because
of their nearness to the school, can make
every financial arrangement for patron
ling it. On this plan, however, the
colleges are to take up the work near the
point at which w0mens colleges leave II
off 1t will be conceded, however, that
the courses of study of these are, on the
whole. one year shorter than those of the
mems colleges In one of the schools the
course is longer. But all will agree that
the science department of the mems col
I,ges is considerably iii advance Of those
of women's colleges. That they may re-
ceive the full benefit OF these, 1t Will be
necessary for women to remain at least
two years. If women's colleges have to
give them up little sooner than now.
what is lost to them will be more than
returned in other ways. They may hnd
it to be to their interest to arrange spe-
cial course for those desiring to enter
mems colleges, retaining the course they
now have for those who will be satisfied
with them, or whose means will not per-
nit them to go further.
The advantage to mems colleges
would be, first, a larger patronage and
a large increase from tuition fees, and the
consequent ability to enlarge in every
direction. Second, because of larger in
terests, larger endowments will be pro-
yided In this connection, note again Mr..
Dukes gift to Trinity. Third, the moral
tone will elevated; new standards will
be set: for the testimony of all co-educa-
tionaI universities is that the men and
women are mutually helpful, the men
made more manly, and the women more
womanly.
The advantake to women consist in be-
ing put in possession of very valuable
educational plants. Let us refer TO those
again. First, prestige acquired through
honorable careers of a century in the case
of the University, and of more than half
a century in the cases of Davidson and
Wake Forest To be crowned with these
degrees is no insignificant honor. Second.
building, grounds, apparatus. libraries.
valued at 100000, and endowment funds
of nearly one million dollars.
Fourth, faculties of specialists en-
ployed by means of this endowment
Fifth. Libraries of more than 10000
volumes.
Sixth Expensive appliances for illus
trating the natural sciences.
The advantages to women's colleges
will be many.
First. 1t will stimulate them to do the
best work possible, because their work
through their representatives will be
compared.
Second. 1t will help them to hold a
larger number to the point of graduation
or of the advance class, because of the
opportunity of higher education within
their reach.
Third. From the impetus given to the
training of women all our schools VIII
have increased numbers.
Not long ago l received letter from
a recent graduate of the Oxford Semi
nary. who wrote that she was making
preparation to go to the Chicago Univer-
sity. This young woman had two
brothers educated at Wake Forest. They
could find at home what they needed