Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-03-14

INEQUALITIES OF the most 1nJuf1uS Cndf-
acter are by many held justifiable be-
cause it is claimed that we need the
very rich to plan, organize and carry
on all important enterprises. Where
would our railways be, it is asked, if
we did not have among US men who
count their money by the million?
There is scarcely a town in the land
where the people are not waiting Tor
rich man to start some enterprise
Business, churches, schools, all wait
upon the movements Of the rich. The
idea of self-help dwindles. People fold
their hands and wait.
ST am strongly Of the opinion that
there should be a similar cooperation
of public and private effort in main
tanning all institutions of learning, IN
Guiding universities; and | believe
that this cooperation will secure the
best results. I cannot help regrettlng,
for example that Mr.. Johns Hopkins
did not offer his millions TO the state
Of Maryland for the establishment OF
university on conditior hat the uni
versity should be regarded as the uni
yersity of the state, should be the
crown of the educational system OF the
state, and should receives an annual
grant from the public treasury equal,
saw. to four per cent. on the value OF
his endowment, in addition to the in
come of the endowment itself. This
would have been effected IN such
manner as to avoid injurious pOl1tlcal
influences, as the experience OF several
western states amply demonstrate.
What would have been the result OF
such an arrangement? His university
would have more ample income, ana
could send a portion of this in direct
efforth to improve the educational sys-
tenn of the state. The people OF the
state would feel a greater interest III
it, because, being supported IL part
out of taxes, it would belong to them
more than it does; and a closer con-
nection with the public life OF the
state would help to purify politics and
elevate the tone Of the public service.
''I do not say that it is altogether
wrong for us to ask people of means
to assist in carrying on and develop
ing our educational institutions, and |
am sure it is praiseworthy in wealthy
Americans to give so generously as
some of them do; but | do say, with
out hesitation, that we as a people
should be more self-reliant and prac-
tice to a greater degree self-help in
all spheres of social life, the higher
education included, for that, like
every other grade of education, is q
matter of public concern and not a
class interest. Nor must we over
look other facts in this connection.
Private paternalism in education and
elsewhere has a dangerous tendency
to plutocracy. Sometimes, even if
not so often as one might think, sup
port by the wealthy few is made viz
tually conditional on management in
the interest of these few. More than
once [ have heard the opinion eX-
pressed that the most fortunate thing
which could happen to an institution
would be the death Of wealthy BEN
efactor whose authoritative interior
ence was felt to be burdensome.
con the other hand, the fact must
not be overlooked that private support
of art, literature, learning, places the
burden of sustaining and carrying
forward our civilization upon few
people comparatively. When we ex-
anime into the number of givers in
oi+ioo Ii1zo NTo1, VorIr L1octop apd pbiI
aledphia we find that it is a small one
indeed in proportion to the number of
wealthy people, and we are reminded
Of the saying, Many are called, but
few are chosen. There is in each
great community a small list Of givers,
and that is all. IF the names of con-
tributOrs to public institutions are
asked, the same names are repeated
again and again; and once outside Of
the little circle, givers are rare. This
is not morally justifable It was not
part of the design for which private
property was instituted that the great
bulk Of it should be used for selfish
enjoyment
another consideration is brought to
, mind by the mention of art. Art, es-
sentially public in nature, as a matter
Of fact never has 1ourished when de-
pendent on private support. The at
mosphere Of private wealth is antago-
nistic to it's growth.
I'VE may insist upon public sup
port of public institutions, and at the
same time afford scope for the largest
amount of private philanthropy. Pri-
vate parties can do what, as a matter
of fact, states cannot at present be
| persuaded to do, even if it is their
proper function. We must, as prac-
tical men, take into account the eX-
isting situation. Private persons can
also go ahead Of public opinion and
lead it, ever placing high ideals be-
fore us. The loftiest conceptions Of
civilization must ever first dawn in a
few minds, and the truest excellence
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