The age-herald., 1899-06-22
Statistics Show Progress
 of Higher Education for Women


 Some recent statistics in regard to edu- cational funds are most encouraging, as they prove conelusively that the wealthy women of this country are interested in the cause of higher education for girls. The sum of 8, ,446, 400 was contributed the past year by women to various educational institutions One of the largest single con- tributions was that of Cora J.. Flood, of San Francisco to the University of Cali fornia-$2, 25O 900. Mrs. N. P. OConnor, of San Jose gave $150,O00 to the California State Normal school; Elizabeth H. Bates, of Rochester, N Y, s135,O0O to the Uni versity of Michigan; Caroline Craft, of Bos- ton, $100,000 to Harvard university; Annie G. Patton $1OO,O0O to Princeton; Sarah Un- derwood, of Saratoga, $15O,OG0 to the Ameri- can university; Elizabeth Smith, of Lan- caster, Pa., $75OOO for a library Eliza beth Kelly, of Chicago, $75000 to the uni versty of that city; Helen Gould, of New York, $77,O00 to various institutions.
 One of the largest sums donated so far in the present year IS $2,00O,O00 for an "In- dusty" college for young women in Bos- ton.
 The gift of Mrs. Jane Stanford to Stan ford university is unprecedented, and in- dicates the progress of higher education for youg women, although Mrs. Stanford has limited the woman membership of the university to five hundred. The stand which she has taken in the matter of CO., education, however, is explained in the fol- lowing interview, which al the same time emphasizes the eagerness with which the young women of the country avail them- selves ot higher educational advantages:
 not ODDOnHQt of cO-eQnpatiOn " said Mrs. Stanford ln the interview with her. T believe ln the higher education of both women and men. l can readily un- derstand why women are attracted to Stan ford. The surroundings and atmosphere are wholesome and charming. 1 also be- lieve that the presence of women at Stan ford or any other university is of great moral good.
 The question of co-education at Stan ford has caused me much anxious thought and worry. Many times 1 have prayed to God for guidance. The university was founded in memory of our lamented son. My husband and l wanted it to be model institution for the higher education of young men.
 'rhe great pleasure 1 have in existence is to do my humble part in carrying out my husbands intentions in this particular.
 During the year just closed at the uni versity there were 4S0 women students-al- most half of the total attendance l be- came alarmed. 1 saw young women from all over the country at Palo Alto. l did not wish to say them nay. 1 admired their ambition, their character and the great in- fuence for good of their presence at the university. But line had to be drawn somewhere to prevent the possibiilty-l should say probability-of the character Of the institution being changed rom what was originally intended.
 "Why did 1 fix the number of female stu dents at 800? It mas an arbitrary act III the sense that 1 want the percentage or male students to increase greatly during the next five or six years. The university, to be consistent with the idea which led to its establishment, must be a place for men.
 But suppose that during the next ten or fifteen years the number of men students reaches 1000 or 5000, would you not be Will ing to increase the number of women stu dents?" was asked.
 ..No,o she replied. "Even if the male stu dents number 10000 or 15,OOO the number or woman attendants must never exceed oV)' Probably President Jordan and the mem- bers of the faculty may not agree with me in this respect. But my conscience tells me l am right. The university must apoVe. everything else be for men and 1t cannot have this spirit if a very large number or the students are women.
 ''Some of the brightest young minds have met were those of young women stu dents at Palo Alto All of us know the good effect upon society of having educated mothers But I question if most of the edu- cation required by young men is of bene- fit to young women.