The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-03-12
Danger Menaces The Big Colleges.

Rev. DR.. Samuel A. Martin, former presi-
dent of Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa,
writing in the Presbyterian Banner, on The
Cost of Education, says:
''The expense involved in sending our sons
and daughters to college is a very serious
question in mary homes. Unfortunately, it
is more serious in those homes where educa-
ton is most eagerly desired The very rich
are careless of expense, and the very poor are
of necessity dependent on the public schools.
But the great majority of professional men
and large proportion of men on moderate
salaries are anxious to educate their sons and
daughters; partly because they value education
for its own sake, and still more because it is
in most cases the only good provision they
can make for their children s future.
1.-The constantly increasing expense Of col
Iege life in our older colleges is a matter OF
keen regret. 1t is within the truth to say that
during the past thirty years the actual expense
of the average student in an eastern college
has increased not less than fifty per cent and
in some cases over one hundred per cent. 1t
NAV be that the advantages in these colleges
have been increased in still greater proper
ton. 1t is no doubt true that much greater
expenditure is made on behalf of the student.
Srill, the fact remains that it is increasingly
difficult for the average professional man to
send his sons and daughters to college. More
over, while the expense of education has IN
creased, the cost of living in all parts of our
country has also risen much more than the
average income, so that the margin of posi-
BILE saving is diminished on both sides.
1--WE are already in sight of situation that
is greatly to be dreaded. If the present rate
of expense continues, the time is not far OF
when the opportunities of education will be
within reach of only the very rich, or those
who depend on charity in some form for their
college training. Very few evils would be
more deplorably than this. But It IS not
only those who cannot afford to pay large bills
who are interested in this matter. The growth
of luxurious habits, the fondness for display,
the extravagant ideas of life that are too often
fostered in college are an evil to the rich as
well as to the poor.
Zone great advantage Of the eastern col
lege life of this country was It's simplicity, ATS
democracy. and its selEdepeudence. The
rich mans son learned to stand on his own
feet; and the child of high birth was put to the
proof whether he was able to meet his humber
fellow on an equal footing. Happily, the
democratic spirit still survives IN most OF our
colleges. but the simplicity Of life does not.
But it is not our purpose to find fault with
these things, except so far as may be needed
to suggest a remedy. The only remedy that
seems likely 10 be effective is the maintenance
of the local colleges. There are obvious ad-
vantages in going away from home to colleges,
bat they are often greatly over-esiimaied-
There are advantages in going to college while
living at home. and these are greatly under
valued. There is no substitute for a mother
care and parental oversight, and the local col
lege brings education within reach OF ten
young men and women for every one who
can afosd to go east TO school All that
may be urged in favor Of the local college tor
young men is more emphAiicaliy True Of
womeu's colleges.