The age-herald., 1900-01-30

certain requirements for the practice of law. medicine and pharmacy. These re- qulrements often include university course specified as to contents and extent. Surely there is no one who will not admit the wisdom of such enaclments. The state of New York has get her sister states a magnificent example in the regulation of al matters of higher education by the board of regents of the University of the State of New York This board was incor- porated in 1874 and has done a glorious ser vice for the state. Under the present law 1t alone has the right to grant charters, as 1t also has the right to revoke them. But no institution can be given power to confer degrees unless it has resources of at least s500,000 By such careful supervision that state has built up a system of higher and professional education far in advance of any state in the union.
 Tn 1895 the state of Pennsylvania estab- lished an official body that has control of all institutions empowered to confer de- grees No new institution may be charter ed by this council, as the official body is called unless it has property amounting to $500, 600, to be used exclusively in education, has a faculty of six or more regular pro- fessors, and requires four years of study for a degree after certain definite require ments for entrance have been met. While we may not be ready in the south for so high a standard, surely the time is a hand when we are ready for some standard: when we are willing to abandon the chaos of the past and institute some order, some definite principles of existence. Michigan has a requirement. for $50,000 This is far short of the standards of New York and Pennsylvania, but a long way in advance of those states that have no standard at all. Recently still an earnest effort has been made in the same direction in the state of Illinois It is interesting to note that the presentation to the Illinois legisla- ture of the bill alluded to was brought about through the action of an educational gathering similar to this
 ''The North Central Association of Col leges and Secondary Schools al a meeting held in Chicago in 1898. by a unanimous vote recommended the introduction of an educational bill in the legislature of each state represented in the association. These bills were to provide for the crea ton of an educational commission in each state which should give( no charter to an institution hereafter established as college or univer- sity unless its productive endowment should amount to at least $100,000. The same recommendation was unanimously approved by the State Teachers Associa- tion of Illinois in December, 1898. It was further endorsed by the Chicago Bar Asso- citation, the Chicago Medical Society and other influential organizations.
 Would 1t not be a glorious outsome of our gathering here if we could start a movement of similar nature in all our southern states? Public opinion is stirring on this question. A number of churches have appointed educational commissions designed to regulate standards and promote among denominational institu- tions. Colleges and universities have bound themselves together into associa tions with similar aims and purposes. But all these efforts must be largely futile so long as pur states confer the same privileges and bless ings alike on the evil and the good, giving the highest educational endorsement of great commonwealths even to charatans and impostors whose chicanery and decep- ton ought to be rewarded with severest punishment May heaven speed the day when the government shall lend its strong arm not only to save it's citizens from im- pure coal oil and low grade fertilizers, but from imposition and deceit in that higher realm where soul life is quickened and the light of truth should ever burn."(