The herald., 1898-08-31
AN eminent PfDAGOGUf
PROF. CHAS. KENDALL ADAMS
TALKS ON CALIFORNIA
Great Need Of the State Is Better 1rri-
cation Facilities-Annexation
and Nicaraguan Canal

Prof. Charles Kendall Adams, president
of the University of Wisconsin,, who IL
row on a visit to California, will be ths
guest of honor of the University club to
morrow evening at its monthly meeting II
the rooms of the Jonathan club. Prof
Adams has occupied the chair at the Uni
versity of Wisconsin for the past six years
In order to accept his present position he
was compelled to resign the presidency o1
Cornell university, a position he had held
for seven years. Prior to his connection
with the latter university he had held the
position of professor of history in the Uni
versity Of Michigan for twenty-eight years.
In speaking of California he said:
II suppose the people Of California. and
in fact the entire Pacific coast. are anxious
as to what will be the solution Of the Phil
ippine question. The people of California,
Judging from what little have seen ard
heard, are building considerably on the
prospective trade with the islanders.
Whether their confidence is misplaced or
not am unable to say. but will state that
while have great faith in the future Of the
Golden state, am of the opinion that the
question of markets Is not the first or fore
most question to be settled, as many sup
pose. To me the matter of irrigation Is far
more important: but, strange to say, this
great factor for the building up Of the
country seems almost wholly neglected.
"My first impression of Southern and
Central California, am sorry to say. was
not favorable. The country looked all
burned up, everything seemed so hot and
dusty, and was apparently suffering for
the want of water. I appreciate that in
Vol of m 7
der most unfavorable conditions. The dry
seasons of the past two years have I'M
doubtedly left their marks and are re-
sponsible to some extent for present condi-
tons. Considering this latter point, and
Judging from what 1 have gathered from
ranchers and fruit growers, have reached
the conclusion that too little attention is
paid to proper irrigation, particularly to
the development of water. There Is I'M
doubtedly large quantities Of water that
go to waste every winter, that might be
stored and saved for summer use, II the
proper system was established. In many
parts of California a system could be
worked with little expense and could be
conducted on the same basis II placed un-
der proper authority. By proper authority
mean placed under a system which would
be under the direct charge Of the Federal
authorities. It is fact that most Of the
systems under Federal charge, postal and
others, are run more economically than
by states where no estab-
lished system is used.
Take, for instance the matter Of the an
nexation of the Philippines, Porto Rico
and other territory. We will be unable to
govern the countries II we do not take them
out Of politics as much as possible. To DO
this wa will be compelled to follow Eng
lands lead and profit by her experiments.
Years ago she established civil service in
India and but for that service she would not
hold India today. Our army and navy serv-
ice, which are on the same principles, are
great success. Why? Because the ap-
pointments are permanent and promotion
is sure. If civil service In connection with
our newly acquired territory is possible in
the United States am in favor Of annexing
all that we are holding now. Porto Rico
and the Philippines are now practically
ours, and with Hawaii, to say nothing of
Cuba, which, think, will be annexed In
few years. when the insurgents find they
are unable to govern the island, we could
operate a system Of government almost
wholly free from corruption.
''But to return to California. I have
heard that the sugar interests from an
nexation would suffer, but I am sure that II
would help manufacturing greatly. If II
mistake not the sugar culture Of California
Is as yet in some what Of an experimental
stage. know that I was In California