The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-12-10

which will be done to much greater
extent when the plans Of the trustees
for increasing the number of it's stu
dents are in practical operation.
In addition to producing such works
as those just enumerated, and thus
stimulating and developing intellectual
life, the university exerts its influence
!, on higher education in less apparent,
but very effectual manner. A consid-
cradle part Of its student body is made
up of members Of the religious COM
munities in residence around the uni
versity. Though few of these men
take complete course or remain until
they attain the doctors degree, be-
cause the eXigencies of their congrega-
tlons call them away to become teach
cls in the various colleges of their Or
dcrS, they profit by their stay at the
university and are better equipped for
their work as instructors
+, 1t is gratifying to learn that the
trustees Of the university have decided
to proceed at once with the full de-
vchpmcnt of undergraduate courses of
study. Two motives impeled to this
action: the desire of increasing the
productivity of the university in all it's
departments by the better preparation
of young men for subsequent scientific
investigation and research in the grad
tlatc schools and in the learned pro-
f"sSions, and the urgent necessity of
hoin" something to prevent the cOntin-
urd increase in the number of our
young men attending non Catholic in
stitutions.
During the ten years which ended
with that of 1900, the attendance at
non-CathOlic colleges increased GO per
cent. while that of our Catholic col
lrges showed, at the most, Il very
m"aGcr gain. During this period of
time our Catholic population maintain
ed its normal growth, our people be-
came more prominent in intellectual
activity and our students increased in
the proper ratio of numbers. This in
crement of our student body must
have been educated but in nom Catho-
lie institutions. 1t is obvious that the
majority of students who frequent
nnn-Catllolic universities and colleges
do so in order to acquire a training
which our colleges cannot afford.
None Of our colleges has or can hone
to have an educational equipment
which approaches in efficiency that of
the larger American seats of learning,
and. accordingly, such colleges will re.
main poweress to arrest the move.
ment of our young men into other
; schools. the atmosphere of which is
hostile to our faith. The Catholic Uni
versity of America alone is in posi-
ton to rptard this exodus Of our laity
it alone has called together corps OF
professors trained in the great univer
stiles of the world, sdie by side will
5 many Of the instructors who draw om
; students to their class-rooms and lab
! orHtOrieS,
Therefore. the board of trustees have
inaugurated new era in the histor,
: Of Catholic education by placing tn,
: laboratories and libraries of the uni
versity at the disposal of larger BODY
of lay students working under til,
! direction of the trained investigator
:. of its professional corps. 1t is to b,
hoped that, henceforth, every Catholic
citizen of the United States will fee
> that he has a direct personal interes
f in the university that it belongs t
: the Catholic people of the country, an,
e that it is their right to partake of it
: advantages, and their duty to defen,
j. it and support it literally