New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-15
NETWORK COLL.

Ohh tOLLEGES An IL THE STATE,
Much opposition is manifested in the various
colleges of New-York to Senator Whites bill
appropriatlng a large sum of money for the
establishment by the State of a school Of
pedagogy at Cornell University. It is declared
to amount to unjust discrimination against other
equally deserving and less wealthy institutions,
which from their own resources are trying to
do for the State what Cornell asks the State to
do for it. The supporters of other colleges say
that Cornell has more claim on the public
treasury than they, but rather less, for it's gifts
from the State have been large in comparison
with what others have received, and they as
sert that it is entirely unjust to tax the con-
stituents of the privately supported colleges
doing the same work Cornell for the purpose
of subjecting them to unequal and ruinous COM
petition, not only In the particular subject of
pedagogy, but in all branches of college work.
In a certain sense this objection may be
ascribed to jealousy-an unwillngness to see a
rival have something not shared in by ones
self. But there may fairly be said to be another
and more creditable feeling and fear about the
matter. Not only would an appropriation for
such a school be a special favor to Cornell when
others have equal claims to the States patron
age, but it would be a distinct blow to them
and certainly it should not be the policy of the
State to interfere with the work of colleges like
Columbia, Union, Hamilton, Syracuse, Roches-
ter and Colgate, even If it is not proposed to aid
them. We have no State university except the
Regents, whose supervision is general over
higher education, and it would be a decided de-
parture from long settled policy to establish one
now. Yet for the State TO give Cornell its spe-
cial and exclusive patronage, is proposed,
would result in nothing less. 1t would dscour-
age the colleges which have from their own
means undertaken TO respond to the demand for
higher work in pedagogy. OF course, students
anxious TO teach in State schools would seek the
State school of pedagogy, even if the private
one just as good. The name of 1t would
count The pull on School Boards would be
thought necessary. State school of pedagogy
in one institution would thus discourage the de-
velopment of similar schools elsewhere, and it
would also be an active missionary In every
quarter of the State for that one college, to the
disadvantage of all the rest. If Cornell had a
school under State patronage for the instruc-
ton Of teachers, il would amount to reserying
the higher positions In the secondary schools of
this State for Cornell men. They would go out
as active Cornell workers among the boys pre-
pairing for college. The effect on the attendance
on other institutions no matter how excellent
their work, is easily foreseen It would be
much better to encourage the different colleges
TO maintain centres of light and leading in their
various localities
This State. by OVERRIDING the normal school
enterprise almost ruined its academies and col
lege preparatory schools II should not go on to
ruin the colleges, which have so long with little
or no State help done the work Of higher educa-
ton for New-York. Cornell has already received
large gifts from the State for work needed by
the state which private enterprise was not
likely TO undertake. The establishment of
School OF Forestry was wise and proper The
Veterinary School has not seemed so well JUST
fed. for the number Of students is reported TO
be insignificant In comparison with the public
money spent These appropriations should not
be precedent. Cornell has no claim on the
State which other colleges do not possess. 1t Is