The sun., 1897-11-07

Low was elected President OF Columbia
few years ago, though he was then COM
paratively young man for 90 Important
a post In the world of learning, and had
exhibited no qualifications Of scholarship
or of studious tastes befltting its require
ments. His selection seems to have been
due to q theory of the trustees that his
career as a business man had afforded him
training which would be moro useful prac-
tically to the university than such intellec-
tual qualifications. Probably they thought
that the problem with which he would
have TO deal would concern rather tho
business organization than the develop
ment of the university in its strictly educa-
tional features.
Mr.. Low seems to have justified this ex-
pectation to the extent Of raising large
amount of money for the university, and
himself giving fund for tho erection OF a
new library building. Coincidently, how
ever, the policy Of his administration has
resulted in loading the institution with
debt OF $3,OOO,0 900, though there still re-
mains great amount to be expended for
necessary improvements yet to be made at
its new site. The conduct Of the busi-
moss affairs of Columbia had always
been extremely conservative before the
Presidency Of Mr.. Low. but he has in.
troduced radically different spirit,
the temper which is known outside Of col
leges as the speculative. A great debt has
been incurred in the hope that the larger
display 1t makes possible will conduce to
the glory Of the university and consequent
ly increase its income and the magnitude
of the gifts to 1t. 1t has been, accordingly,
distinctively speculative policy. Un-
doubtedly the institution could pay Off the
obligation easily from Its great unincum.
hered endowment, but such subtraction
would decrease by 30 far q fund whose in.
come Is all needed to carry on the univer-
sity as 1t is.
This speculative disposition In Mr.. Low
was exhibited before he was made Presi-
dent in his introduction into the conserv-
ative methods of his fathers business house
of hazardous experiments which turned out
disastrously. 1t was also manifested In
tho wholly rash risk he took in his late
political candidacy. No man of sagacity
touching politics was disappointed by Mr..
Lows defeat last Tuesday, for all political
precedent indicated from the first that it
was inevitable. If Mr.. Low had any other
expectation, he is deficient in Judgment.
Moreover, the readiness with which Mr..
Low entered upon his hopeless candidacy
and the obstinacy with which he clung to
1t, in spite of the sure defeat it invited by
preventing the unity Of the opposition to
Tammany Hall, indicate that his heart was
not in his career as a college President.
He was quick to abandon the post under
the illusions Of an absorbing political am.
bition, and they will not be dissipated by
defeat. He was uneasy before in the atmos-
phere Of a learned community, and it would
be even more distasteful to him now If he
was put into it anew.
Moreover, the trustees of Columbia Uni
versity cannot continue Mr.. Low as its Presi.
dent without making that university re.
sponsible for his late canvass in all its moral
andpolitical aspects, and without furnishing
him convenient starting place for any fur
ther excursions into politics which his rest
less ambition may lead him to make. With
Mr.. Low as it's President, Columbia Uni.
versity must appear to the public as an
establishment committed to the political
fortunes of Mr.. SETH Low, thus gaining q
unique, but a sinister distinction for o
university,