The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-31

read before the State Teachers Asso-
citation was that by j. Richard Freud,
secretary of the Merchants Associa-
ton, yesterday afternoon. It was in
the department of business programme
and was as follows:
There is no sentiment in business Keen
competition and rivalry have unfortunately
narrowed the sphere of the business man. To
extend trade and to accumulate money appear
to be the sole aim and end of his mission In
the worlds struggle for wealth it is naturally
d survival OF the closest and the shrewdest
IN such conflict education and culture play
little or no part.
To drive a sharp bargain needs none of the
elements OF a liberal education. A knowledge
Oh Literature, the arts the sciences avail
nothing in determining the profit or loss on a
purchase a sale. The details incident TO
the successful management of a business house
in no way depends upon the laws of astronomy
geology, chemistry mathematics or
economics. IL a word. a liberal education is
really a handicap rather than a helm 70 tbe
average business man of to-day
Why is this so? For two reasons First be-
cause the ordinary sphere Of mercantile life
IS restricted to business exclusively. Second
because no course in our public school system
IS specially adapted to the requirements of a
To explain the first reason, it may be terse-
~ YET truly said that the average merchant
and by night his thoughts and energies are alb
sorbed IN the race for commercial supremacy
Jne vantage to his ever vigilant competitor
therefore, he restraints and often stiles his
n Ft inclination TO take part in public af-
fairs lest he thereby sacrifice his business and
forfeit his means of livelihood.
,Such condition needs but to be stated to
SIe" us abnormal origin and vicious results
NO citizen in any occupation, however small
or extensive is released from his obligations
20 the state The Government that protects
him in his rights and privileges is legally and
morally entitled to his care and consideration.
Under Its benign aegis he pursues his voca-
ton in life, and, therefore, as a member of the
community he cannot escape his duties to the
commonwealth Such is the very essence of
a.
viewed from this standpoint, the sphere of
slave to his business. His interest and activ-
ity reach far beyond the counter or the count
ing room The welfare of the city, the pro-
SresS OF the state the prosperity of the Re-
public share his thought and energy as well as
the huctuations in prices the profits on
cial life Were it observed by all business
men, our public affairs would be greatly
purged OF lncompetency, extravaganza and cor
rupton In our Republic there is no real
line of demarcation between the private per-
Of the individual is largely wrapped up in the
welfare OF the community. The proper form
OF a city government often means the health
aIlu Weallh OF It's inhabitants High or low
taxation, just administration of the law nu-
nlc!pai improvements 90 far 10 determine the
IldteIla success OF the people. 1t must be
clearly apparent that progressive city will
naturally produce successful business men;
"hlle retroSreSslVe city VIII generate fail
ures. Therefore, ii should be an essential part
Of sound business policy for the business man
10 take an active part in public affairs. Such
mercial life.
In this dual capacity as a medium of ex-
change and a member of the community
the career of the business man at once opens
TO the precious advantages of liberal educa-
ton.
To the citizen thus engaged in business. the
iiltTlIlslc NaIue OF thorough knowledge cannot
be disputed With it he confidently en-
ter the arena OF public affairs fully equipped
to meet the educated professional citizen.
without il, he feels keenly his inability to
grasp and solve political and economic prob
lens knowledge is power and other things
no nNFN III NIa s7NaT
Conceding the benefits of liberal education
10 the commercial citizen interested in public
affairs, we are brought to the serious question
OF what should constitute a liberal education
for the business man. Having enjoyed the
complete course OF our public school system
from the lowest primary grade in San Fran
having also been actively engaged in business
for period of fifteen years l can speak upon
this subject from actual experience and OBJ
seryation. In my humble opinion, none of the
various courses now offered by our public
school system is exactly suited to the wants
OF the business man Beyond the primary and
grammar classes, there are special courses adj
mirably adapted to the requirements of the
lawyer, the doctor the engineer. the farmer
the miner, the mechanic, the chemist and the
dentist. With curriculum Of colleges at the
University generous enough to all these va
rious branches, there is yet none expressly
devoted to the business
Is the career of the merchant so devoid of
special worth or knowledge as to be thus over
looked and neglected in the public school sys-
TEN Of the State? Certainly not. factor in
the commonwealth welding the mighty wea-
pOns of exchange. involving hundreds Of mil
lions Of dollars annually, surely possesses many
needs peculiar to itself The laws of finance
commerce ana navigation, the demands of for
eign and domestic markets. consular forms
and customs international trade regulations
and multitude of other subjects Intimately
connected with business affairs certainly afford
q sufficiently distinct and important field TO
warrant a special course in public school
system.
The establishment of such a commercial
course would not only prove invaluable to the
business man, but would tend to elevate the
standard of commercial life. To California will
happily come the honor of being the first TO
provide mercantile course in the public
school system Of the State A college of com
nserce in the University of California has been
proposed by Regent Arthur Rodgers that will
templating n commercial career to enjoy its
many advantages and enter his chosen pur-
suit upon equal plane and degree with the
most favored of other branches of learning
In conclusion, no one prizes n liberal ed,I-
cation more ardently than the business man
shower it's blessings upon his children and
foremost to endow institutions of learning He
feels. stronger than words can convey the
marvellous value and power of education and
knowledge Universities throughout the world
have felt his constant liberality and may well
pay homage to his generous impulses
Whether it be for the higher education in the
University Of California, or the technical
training in the Wilmerding School of Industrial
Arts. the merchant. the manufacturer the
business is ready with his purse 10
help this nOblest of all causes. Let California
tude to this worthy calling by the addition
10 her public school system of a Complete
course and College of Commerce.