, 1898-12-08

Inauguration of Frank Pierrepont
Graves, formerly president of the Wyo-
ming state university, which occurred
last week:
The people Of the state of Washing
ton can facilitate themselves, unless
outward indications are amiss, upon
the Inauguration as president of their
university a nan of clearly defined
modern and practical conceptions. 1t
was undoubtedly with some bold our
age that Mr.. Graves yesterday foresook
the traditional manner of inaugural ad-
dress and directed the attention of his
hearers rather to the immediate needs
and plans of the Institution than to its
theoretical future. New presidents
more often. in selfish pride, perhaps,
or in serious belief that such COURSE is
justified, confne themselves to displays
of their erudition and of their power
in reflective ~essaying.
W~ashington's university is young
and has before it the same encompass
ing difficulties that have hampered the
early growth of all state universities.
Only advance in years and the contin-
ued contribution to the community of
graduates well qualified to assume their
places in civic affairs can fully demon
strate to the average public the value of
money invested in the sacrifices made
in behalf of the supreme educational
institute. Until these future conditions
have been realized, the exacting taste
will devolve upon the president OF so
shaping the administration of the uni
of benefits promptly to the largest num-
Der of young men and women Of the
state.
1t should be a welcome fact to all
citizens that Mr.. Graves perceives what
lies before him in these respects. In his
Inaugural address yesterday Mr.. Graves
alluded with apt force to he fact that
~"theoretic scholarship is for recluses
who may have a pace in older civiliza-
tons, but who are largely anachronisms
in the surroundings of a new and active
country" The vital interest Of edu,
cation has passed from books and IL
~Draries to personal character, and the
evolution of trong moral character
morally, socially and politically, ser.
vicable has become the chief function
of the teacher. Mr.. Graves appears
fully to ~apprehend that this is true, and
both for his own guidance and for the
inspiration of the corps OF instructors
associated with him, states that "the
purpose of the university should be the
evolution of strans moral character
earnestness, sincerity, thoughtfulness
thoroughness, and industry. The in
structor who realizes those
who most inspires in his students these
aims, is nearest the ideal teacher"
The book-worm is The ridicule of lat
.er-day civilization. The man whose
brain has grown at the expense OF his
body is not wanted among ordinary
men. Nor il he who co~mprehends
things when set beit-e him in words,
but knows nothing of their empirical
application, likely to find honor or re-
spect among his fellow men.
Washington state university has al
ready demonstrated that 1t can give to
the community graduates who, like the
community itself, are interested in
everyday affairs and who, profting by
the education that has been granted
them, seek at one the advancement by
practical and rational means of the con-
Germs in which they participate. 1t re-
mains for President Graves to continue
this spirit of tendency, and by every
means that lies within a chief execu
tive's power to improve and extend it.
The presidents address indicates IN
mistakeably that such are his aspir-
atoms. With the tenacity to live up to
them. II he has it. as undoubtedly he
has. not many seasons will pass before
he may ask of the people the taxation
he may desire for the university's ben
eft and receive 1t with the anne nan
unity that has developed within recent
years in the states of California, Michi-
gan, Ohio, Iowa, and elsewhere, and he
ma ask of those who are wealthy to
ms. ie requests and they will do so with
the same hberality and pride that be-
quests are made t o Harvard university
in Massachusetts,.