The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-01


of the theories involved.
1t may be well asked. why this
anomaly of thought and action en- the
part of the people as regards these theo-
ries of college presidents and profess
sors? Probably a number of elements
contribute to cause this attitude, among
Which might be mentioned the ultra
conservatism of the average citizen
But the chief cause lies in the feeling
OF the people that the desire of univer-
s1ty men to put their theories into prac-
teal operation does not arise from a
sincere wish for the popular welfare.
Oneducated people. like college presi-
dents, are keen students of ''the
sources" although in a somewhat diff
ferent sense. When a measure comes
up for enactment, they examine not only
its intrinsic merits but also the ante
cedents of its author If they find that
ne has shown by his actions that be has
not the well-being of society at heart,
even to the extent of making personal
sacrifices for those members of it whose
interests are in closest touch with his
own, they are very apt to say that his
theories are not yet ripe for practical
uses. Dr. Harper may sometimes feel
that his great institution at Chicago
is not exercising that broadening inf1u-.
ence upon the people that he would like
The people in turn may feel that, in
allowing the compulsory resignation of
IT'S professors for no other fault than
that of exercising a. reasonable freedom
of speech without making single open
protest, DR.. Harper is not exhibiting
that~strength of character which is abso-
lutely necessary in order to make the
moral influence of his university strong
David Starr Jordan is a great scientist
No one denies that But whether his
moral stamina is equal to his scientific
attachments is becoming mooted ques-
ton DR.. Jordan made an extensive
tour about six months ago lecturing in
the middle West on ''The Blood Of the
Nation" He was perhaps somewhat
startled on being awakened the morning
of Nov. by the news that it had not
influenced the people to reverse the pres
ent policy of the administration in the
Philippines If the people considered his
utterances at all they may have had an
inkling of DR.. Jordan's true character as
exhibited in his present attitude in the
Ross case by knowing something
Of his former action in the Pow
ers case They may haye thought
that man who could not act
upon the maxim that charity begins
at home was not, to be trusted in his
exposition of the theory of charity in
the Philippines. BY his recent action in
insisting upon DR.. Ross resignation
simply because the Southern Pacific
magnates demand it, DR.. Jordan has
shown himself much more adept in max
ing a scientific analysis of the elements
of a $4,000 salary than in performing his
plain moral duty in a great. crisis in the
university's life.
In marked contrast to DR. Jordan's
actions are the recent utterances Of
DR.. George E. Howard, head of the his
tory department at Stanford, condemn
ing the enforced resignation of his col
league. DR.. Howard receives the
largest salary paid to heads of depart
ments in that institution. He is con-
sentative to the extreme in his actions
and his speech. Those who know him
best assert that the statements recently
attributed to him regarding the resigna-
ton of Prof Ross We're not made with
out carefully weighing their conse-
quences both from a practical and NOR
al standpoint. But this conservatism is of
a kind that is based on principle, and
not on policy. Therefore, his convictions
once formed, he does not hesitate ~
speak and speak boldly even though his
action may involve the sacrifice for
Of his stamp were at the head of univer-
sity departments and of the universities
themselves, perhaps the people would re-
ceive with better grace the economic and
scientific theories emanating from them,
and these institutions would then be
made to meet some popular needs, and
thus make themselves a force in the
world of practical action as well as
theoretical knowledge.