The San Francisco call., 1903-12-18
THE UNIVERSITY ROBBED.

~ +
not exactly clap of thunder from clear sky
Il The thief had been going the pace for time,
and his doings public as to provoke caution
had the affairs of the institution been under strict OBJ
servaton by the Regents. Nothing is easier than lock-
ing the stable after the horse is stolen told you
so" is always said late. The Regents all men
of affairs foremost the citizens of the State,
but that has prevented the robbery of institution
the worthy and the most needy in the State.
Is it not in selecting Regents Governors
made the mistake of choosing whose constant
direct and personal attention to the university is i'm
possible by of the greatness and the absorbing
nature of their own affairs?
The president has upon him executive duties requr-
ing all of his time. These make necessary his general
contact with public and all of our material in
He be the representative of the university
at public gatherings of necessity has travel much
appear great far away fifty represent
the culture and purpose of the University of California
The busy Regents pressed for time in their mat
ters, though specially charged with committee duties
relating the finances, just the condition to be
msled by adroit scoundrel. such the secretary
have been Superserviceable, ready to relieve
others of work and to and report upon the
things that they should do he placed in the exact
position where his champagne thirst would naturally
seek quenching outside of his beer income.
Now that the exposure has through his reck-
less of long immunity from check the discovery
made that should long ago have been made by those
whose business it to make it. The bookkeeping
turns be archaic. No proper system of checks
upon secretary existed. He received and handled
money which, under a proper system, should
have come into his hands He permitted sow of
the wind and reap of the whirlwind without let or
hindrance.
The Call has often said that directing boards
of State institutions there should be element COM
posed of citizens especially skilled and highly interested
the work OF the institution be managed. Penoogsts
with business ideas should be among the managers of
should be in contact with the reform schools, and on
up the State University. In its regency should be
if possible of university training and with such
leisure their affairs as to time left to look
the bookkeeping and watch the income outgo
every penny of income. 1t that the Regents have
auditor, paid officer but good has of pass
ing him the responsibility that belonged them,
for neither he they noticed the defective book
keeping the sipshod ways and the door left open to
dishonesty until inadvertence of the criminal himself
exposed if all.
The theft soon mounted up to 100000, and may go
higher But whatever its it may still cheap
price pay for thorough reformation the business
methods and safeguards of the university In efectng
this the fact should be lost sight of that gentlemen
whose affairs require that they be constantly alert
to prevent just such crimes happening their own
business have time left keep watch against them
in the business of the university.
The criminal himself is undeserving of sympathy
Since he boy he had been beneficiary of the
institution. He had dependent upon him; his
official income ample for his honest needs, and,
above that sufficient to have laid for him the foun-
daton of fortune All of this opportunity he threw
away. He was migrate his benefacors and dsoyal
to his trust. Now he takes himself for and
breaches morality others. The useful lesson he
teach is by suffering the penalty of his Of
ense. 1t is for others to point the moral taught
by his downfall
Those who have trusts in keeping for others have
only safe method follow, and that is pointed out
by the rules of honor and honesty that known all
men, gentle and simple alike The desire for life of
pleasure enjoyed by dishonest the maggo that
destroys character and purpose The end is always
1t is disgrace, punishment sometimes suicide al
ways despair. No doubt many man is deferred from
taking the first step by the vigilance of those
whose business it is watch his work, and unwise
and grevous that such oversight is omitted