The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-09
AN EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM.
MISREPRESENTATION of Purpose
ssHfgher Education"
Philadelphia Time

Mr.. Huntington. one of the great rail-
spa agnaseS OF rne paG h recenty mace
the people OF this country were becoming
more and more untitled for usefulness In in
dustrial pursuits because Of the higher edu-
cation they were receiving under our free
school systems. Such a declaration coming
from one who occupies very prominent po-
sition In the business and financial world
grated very harshly upon the progressive
sentiment OF the nation that firmly believes
In general education as the cornerstone Of
safety to our free Institutions.
1t Is quite true that higher education has
injured a very considerable class of the
American youths. but 1t is not so much the
fault OF education as the fault OF those
who misapply their abilities and their op-
portunities. The rot of the evil in our edu-
cational system Is In the very widely ac-
copied theory that an educated man or
woman should make a living in some other
way than by manual labor, and young men
every sacrifce to obtain an academic or
collegiate education chiefly because they be-
Heve that thereby they can escape a life
that underiies every defect in our educa-
tfonal system.
In no country In the world are such OPP
portunfties presented as are offered here for
thoroughly educated men In all our leading
Industrial pursuits. II mechanical life Is not
respected 1t must be because mechanics
TO despise 1t; and so general has been the
tendency OF educated young men to avoid
industrial. mechanical and scientific pur-
ands and thousands of foreigners. who have
complete mechanical and scientific educa-
ton relating Z; TO-, their pursuits FIJI the best
Americans do not 1T themselves for them.
AS long as our social system shall en-
a man OF woman to make a livelihood
without labor. many thousands who strug-
gle to win education viii have only failure
have made to prepare themselves for sue
cessful pursuit
II we were to advertise to-merrow morn
ing for clerk or bookkeeper at s12 or SIS a
week. and at the same time advertise for
a carpenter or a bricklayer, or a stone
6a or or any o Sshes cnse tS
applications for the clerkship to one for the
mechanical employment, and among the ap-
plicants for the clerkship would be graduates
q the best colleges Of the land, who. after
piodding through a collegiate course, find
themselves unified for success In the pro-
LESSONS and are glad to accept any position
A good mechanic is always employed at
better wages than the collegiate graduate
can command unless he has special fitness
for distinction In some intellectual pursuit.
II these young collegiate graduates who
are glad to accept clerkship had de-
voted the same energy to fit themselves for
some mechanical pursuit they would enter
the battle Of lie as masters. and their serv-
There never was a time when this coun-
try needed so many thoroughly educated
men for Industrial or mechanical pursuits.
tune for all who have fair ability and
choose to ut themselves thoroughly for such
a pursuit. II the late President Frank
Thomson. OF the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company had gone to college when he was
sixteen years Of age he would doubtless
have made a creditable lawyer or doctor,
and won a fair measure Of success in life
but he chose to enter the railroad shops at
Altoona as an apprentice, and devoted all
his broad intelligence and tireless applica-
ton to become a master in his mechanical
art: when he graduated as master mechanic
he was fitted to take command Of division |:
soon became general superintendent of one
line; later general superintendent of the
great Pennsylvania system, and closed his
career a. one of the best all-around presi-
dents that company has ever had.
The fault Is not In the higher educa ton
offered to American young men and women
The fault Is wholly in their misunderstand-
ing Of the many fields 1t offers for success
In life. Higher education should be accepted
by all as the best open door 10 the highest
success in industrial and mechanical pur-
suits Whenever II shall thus be accepted
the many thousands OF educated failures
will be suppianted by the many thousands
OF collegiate graduates entering into the
vast industrial and mechanical pursuits
which must command respect for all who
respect themselves.