The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-09-26
OUR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.
They Furnish the Beat Bridge Builders,
Tool Makers and Railway Constructors
In the World European Methods Have
been Adapted Rather than Adopted.
From the Brooklyn Eagleo

(From the Brooklyn Eagle
Merchants and statesmen to-day con-
gratulate themselves upon the wonderful
spread of this Country's commerce, me
greatest any nation has ever seen: But
they do not. perhaps, realize that the ma
ton has advanced in another way that Is
possibly the true core of our national sue
cess. This is the extraordinary advance
in scientific learning, as shown IN the
universities, professional and technicai
schools and in everyday life. If this rapid
moulding Of America into a scientihc ma
tion does not fully account for the COM
mcrcial victories, 1t has at all events con-
tributcd largely to them.
So pronounced has been the development
of these universities and schools that now
at the beginning Of the century they sur
pass those of Europe. And yet surpassed
Is by no means the right word. There Is
no institution in Europe resembling them
or organized on quite the same plan. Inc
scientific school of America In It's grasp
of what really constitutes practical, eXten-
Sivc training has no counterpart IN the
world. 1t turns out scientists that are at
the same time workmen of the highest
type. The universities and technical
schools of England and the Continent, ex-
cellent aS many Of them are, nave not 1uI-
" caught the spirit and trend OF the tlme.
education is being known by its fruit 1t
has brought new sort of workman into
the field of labor and European indus
try stands by wondering why her repre-
sentatives cannot do as Well
The explanation Of 1t is all very simple,
however. American technical education
had its first beginning fifty years ago.
Within the past twenty-five years the SCI
entiiic professional schools have been see
ing their true development. Now the com
bined results nave become so great that
they are apparent all over the world
The earliest technical schools. wrote
Prof Mendenhall, president of the Tech
biological Institute of Worcester, Mass, in
his monograph on Scientific, Technical
and Engineering Education in the United
States" prepared for the recent Paris EX-
position, those of a hundred years ago
or more almost without exception, grew
ont of the industrial demands OF the local
ity in which they were founded. one OF
the best examples Is the famous School OF
Mines. at Freiberg, which has enjoyed a
long and illuStrious career, and many or
the earlier European schools belong to the
same class To these and the more mod
ern schools Of science ard technology the
United States are greatly Indebted. espe-
cially on account OF the generous wei
come that has always been extended TO
American students and for the inspiration
with which many of them have returned
to take their part in the wonderful educa-
tional evolution which the last half CEN
tury has witnessed.
But in all cases European methods have
been adapted rather than adopted,
and while the nearly 100 schools Of science
and engineering scattered over the United
States have many points OF resemblance,
there is much individuality, particularly
among the strongest and best, and 1t Is be-
l;eved that their several types represent
important advances in the direction OF
scientific and technical education
This matter of scientific training for
youth makes but a conservative, quiet
claim. though yet a substantial one. lie
might have pointed to some OF the results
O; these believed to be important ad-
vances." American technical school grad
yates have come TO be the bridge builders
OF the world. There are no steel makers,
no tool makers in Europe equal TO the
cool, keen young scientists in American
shops and mills. Nor has the Continent
and England such q race of railway con-
struction engineers. Only this summer the
Massachusetts Institute OF TechnoTgy
held examinations In London for the young
Englishmen Of scientific tastes, who, to
learn what they wanted to fit them for
the scientific world, found their only re-
course an American school. And. In the
field of medicine, four distinguished physi-
clans and surgeons Of this country are
now touring the world at the request OF
foreign doctors who are anxious to learn
accurately of the advances Of this branch
OK the science in the New World. "A
Out of many significant instances these
have been picked. The number might be
greatly added TO, with only the advantage
OF emphasizing the point. That which mas
the most pronounced Is, however, the turn
ing of the tide. Thirty years ago, and even
well onto very recent years. the American
student of any kind Of science found 1t
mart of his education to go to the schools
abroad for as long a period as his pocket
book could stand. His education was not
thought complete till then. And 1t was
not, for scientific training in this country
was not formed. Now the student has no
need 10 go. AS he takes his degree he is
far beyond what the schools Of Europe
teach And year following year, In in
creas!ng numbers, young Europeans are
coming over here to grasp the training
that our universities are giving and TO
absorb the technique and the thorough
practicaness that are making American
scientists masters OF men.
Adapted was the "OTu iTol SiSHuei-
hall used in speaking of European meth
DDS and the American universities, rather
than adopted" But 1t has been very much
more than that. Brushing traditions aside
these institutions Of learning went long
ago to the root of the matter Year by
wear they have been building up their
equipment, strengthening their courses.
Questions of finance and whether 1t would
all pay they have politely laughed at.
Money was needed for this and for that.
Well. the chiefs would see that /. was OBJ
tanned. Machinery was necessary. AZ
once the great manufacturers were laid
under contribution. and they sent as gifts
machines worth thousands.
The technical school presidents knew
how to arouse the sympathetic under
standing of men of means and fore
thought. Benefactors for this and for that
crowded in. their gifts were chronicled in
the news of the day, commented upon as
vast the figures added up and admired.
But no one saw the significance.
Year after year students came out OF
courses of engineering. Of medicine and
surgery, of chemistry. Of electricity, OF
marine engineering, Of agriculture and
ia swl lRs