The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-17

proconceived ideas - TO the specael
shortcomings OF the Scottish universities.
Those institutions are notoriously weak
ON the scientific side. and it would seem
to be proper enough that precautions
should be taken to assure the application
of the net income Of five million dollars
(half the trust fund.- to an enlargement
of the facilities for scientific education
instead of to the augmentation OF the
salaries of divinity professors or OF In
structors in Latin and Greek. BY re-
quiring the approval Of the trustees Tor
any allotment Of funds Mr.. CARNEGIE
has guarded against the possible ascend
ancy of non-scientific persons in uni
versity councils.
1t is, however, the use to DO made OF
the income of the second half OF tho
Carnegie endowment that is most Sc
verely criticised by the writer in the
National Reriew. He holds that by
offering to pay their university fees MIR.
CARNEGIE will corrupt the Soottlsh
youth. The letter to Lord ELGIN, IN
which the intentions Of the founder OF
the endowment were indicated, did not
overlook the fact that some practical
difficulties might be encountered owing
to "the spirit Of manly independence
dear to the Scotch. Tho opinion was
expressed, however, that young men
scruples would be overcome when they
should learn that it would always be
optional with them to refund the outlay
made on their behalf, should they ever
be in position to do 80. Now, there Is
no doubt that the expediency Of furnish
ing any pecuniary aid to young men
DESTROYS of obtaining university edu-
cation is debatable. There are those
who think that such assistance does more
harm than good and that it would be
we'll for Oxford and Cambridge il all the
money now distributed in tho form OF
scholarships were diverted to the pur-
pose Of the endowment Of scientific re-
search.
Unless, however, one is prepared
altogether to repudiate the system
under which pecuniary aid is given to
poor but deserving students, we are
unable to discern any valid objection
to the fund established by Mr.. CAR
NEGIE for the benefit Of Scottish youth.
On the contrary. he seems to have pur-
sued course calculated to do the most
good and the least harm possible, by
relying exclusively on the good faith
of the recipients of aid and refraining
from any inquiries as to their real need
OF assistance. Applicants are encour-
aged to come forward by the informa-
ton that no personal credentials will be
e1acted from those who satisfy the test
Of intellectual competence provided
by prescribed examination. No in
vestigation of their pecuniary means
will be made, although letter will 60
to parent or guardian stating that the
application Of the young man has been
entertained. 1t seems that, in one in
stance, students request for the pay
ment OF his fees was granted, but his
father instantly cancelled the proceed
ings when they came to his knowledge.
There may be other young men in
Scotland, as doubtless there are else
where, who are willing to take mean
advantage Of . philanthropic offer; but
in our Judgment, it will prove wiser in
the long run to confide in the honor Of
applicants for assistance than to exact
Of them a notifying exposure OF their
ways and means. There is no surer
way of making and keeping a boy
honest than to treat him as if you be-
lieved him incapable Of dishonesty.
On the whole it seems to us that the
writer in the National RerieC has failed
to make out case against the Carnegie
Trust Fund for Scot fish universities
He is captious rather than convincing.