The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-23
FUND Of LEARNING
PEOPLES INSTITUTE PROPOSES TO
MAKE THE WORLDS EACH
INDIVIDUALS.
TO MAKE EDUCATION BROAD
Is IT'S AIM THROUGH FACILITATING
THE IMPARTING OF KNOWN
FACTS.
10 MAKE EDUCATION BROAD
PROF. SPRAGUE SMITH TAhhs
Ahout the PropOsed Field OF the New
Enterprise in Which Leading
Men Are Enthusiastic.

IL t,,re and the originator of the new
MAN of popular education, about TO
he tried in New York city, Is pelns en-
tertained at the home of Col ana Mls.
r. M. Newport during his prlel stay
in ST. Paul. Prof Smith has just re-
turned from the Yellowstone pain ''tAN'
is on his way East. e,,
In converse ton with a reporter Ior
the Globe at the Newport residence
Yesterday afternoon, Prof. Snlth Jul
lined the nature and method OF Or
SANITATION in the Metropolis OF the
Peoples Institute. ,,
Prof Smith explained that the pur-
nose of the institute or assoclatloh'
was -fold-frst, to furnish 10 Ine
DeODIe continuous and ordered eoucd-
tion in history. literature, social science
and other subjects, and Secolluly' 70
afford opportunities for discussion VI
the leading questions of the perloo pe-
tween individuals of different occupa-
tions in order thereby to assist IN lile
solution of present problems; ,,,
1T was my work in the field OF com
narrative literature" said Prot. smith;
who is a Young man, that suggested
TO me the idea that led to the deVelop-
1nent of the plan to be put into opera
ton in New York this fall. If the STUDY
of the literature of the world, collsluei
ed as a unit could be made so lhCeIe9C
ing, if it developed greater preauln VI
thought in a man, if 1T revealed anu
enDhasized humanity, why could not
the same principle be applied so as to
teach the people generally, history ana
literature by appealing to thelr ma
tural sympathy with humanity!
After had thought the matter over
and had formulated in my own NINA a
general plan for carrying the idea INTO
effect, l called on a number OF proml-
TnyI
resenting nearly all the classes ana
elements in society and, consequently,
at variance with each others views on
many of the questions OF the DAY.
Among those whom l talked with were
Abram S. Hewitt, eX-mayor OF New
York; Rev. Heber Newton, Carl SchufZ,
Grace Dodge, Felix Adler, Or. DaVld
II. Greer and President HerVey, OF the
Teachers college Much to my sur
prise they all seemed taken with the
project. and a movement was soon set
afCOt to perfect 1t.
at must be borne in mind that the
underlying principle of the assocla-
ton" continued Prof. Smith, is It's
representative character. 1t un1tes at
once the entire body of social reform
ers. labor leaders and philanthroplSts.
The first conference held as result or
the proposition to form the assocla-
ton. took place in the chapel of Rev.
DR.. Heber NewtOn's church. A second
Heeting was held a few evenings later
at the residence of Abram S. Hewitt,
which was far more encouraging in
point of attendance and in It's repre-
sentative character At this meeting a
committee was appointed to draft
constitution and name set or otlcefS.
This committee, upon Whlch L nad the
honor to serve, was as representative
in character as the meeting itself; we
reported and recommended a const1tu-
ton at a third meeting held at Cooper
Union, which was largely attended,
there being a splendid representation
of labor on hand including Samuel
Gompers and half dozen more promi-
nent labor leaders. At this meeting
the constitution was discussed freely
for three hours, and more criticism
and suggestions of this proposed con-
stitution were invited from all classes
represented, but no material changes
were made. After some slight amend
ments, the constitution was adopted,
and a committee appointed to draft ar
ticles of incorporation.
The constitution adopted provides,
first, for an advisory council of thirty.
One of the first men whom the COM
mittee named to sit on the advisory
council was Samuel Gompers, who &C
cepted the office Besides the advisory
board, there is a board of trustees,
comprising nine members. 1t will be
the duty of the board of trustees to
direct the affairs of the institute as an
executive board.
"All the instruction and the general
discussions will take place at Cooper
Union" proceeded Prof Smith. Lee
lures will be delivered from time TO
time when subjects historical and lit
erary will be treated in an interesting
way and from a humane standpoint.
The association has been incorporated
and the work will begin this coming
fall. 1t is our belief that this plan
of public instruction will prove most
efficacious and satisfying. From the
lessons of history eXpounded, as they
will be by eminent minds, the people
will acquire a knowledge of and an in
terest in the lines of great men, and the
social relations of mankind in the past,
that will greatly aid them in the solu-
ton of the problems of today. They
will find that, approached in this way,
the past Eliminates the present. So,
too, literature, as we'll as history, they
will find the inspiration that great lives
create, an inspiration that teaches
them what life really is and should be,
that life means service for the people
and that money is not it's object. Such
influences are wholesome and tend to
counterfeit the materialistic spirit too
prevalent today"
Referring to the advisory council OF
the Peoples institute, Prof. Smith nam
ed a score or more of the members of
that body, which includes: DIR. Heber
Newton, Miss Grace Dodge, DR.. RAINS
ford, R. Fulton Cutting, William Earl
Dodge, Jacob Schiff, Dr. e. r. L. Gould,
Edward D. Page, Samuel Gompers,
Samuel B. Donnelly, President Hervey,
of the Teachers college; Charles Dud-
ley Warner, Prof. E. R. A. Seligman,
Ernest H. Crosby, Father Alexander
Doyle st. Clair McKelway, Nathan
Strauss, John Brooks Leavitt, James 3.
Reynolds and others. When the list is
completed it will be entirely represent
alive as is the board of trustees.
In conclusion, Prof. Smith laid stress
on the point that the Peoples insti-
tute is forbidden by it's constitution to
ally itself with any political, social or
religious party movement or sect. 1t
must respect all differences of opinion,
political, social and religious, by the
cultivation of a spirit Of tolerance,
trust and fraternity and seek to unite
all in common effort for the ad-
yancement of the individual and of So
ciety. The public discussions Of mo-
1nentous questions to take place from
time to time are to be conducted, not In
an aggressive or hostile manner, but
with a fraternal spirit.