The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-11-23

the purpose of having been there,
sometimes learn nothing at all that is
of practical or theoretical value. The
question now arises: Do these people,
tho they have been at college, possess
high education? They do not. They
merely have the name of having been
at college. They may also have ac-
quired good tact, manners and conven-
tional abilities that may be of advan-
tage to them at social functions, and
in the intercourse of business and
travel. Some of them may also have
become good sailors, oarsmen, baseball
and football players; besides they may
have learned to pay proper considera-
tions to the rights and conveniences
of their fellowmen, for the intercourse
between students teaches such things,
makes them quasi-obligatory.
1t is quite unnecessary to say that
there are thousands of students at our
universities who study diligently, faith
fully and thoroughly, and who become
eminent scholars and scientists, and
thereby ornaments TO society and to
our whole country. The purpose of
this article is merely to demonstrate
that what Is commonly called tool
synonym for real high-class education.
We have, as stated before, some
really excellent colleges and universi-
ties, and we number among our pro-
fessors many eminent scholars and
scientists who have acquired world
regulations. These professors, as we'll
as the presidents, deans and directors
of their institutions, are we'll aware of
and regret the fact, that the American
habit of restless hurry, combined with
desire to make little of matters that
are of no practical value and of no
absolute necessity, makes it impossible
for them to instruct many of their pu-
pills with that thoroughness of system
atical detail which they would fain like
to give them. Some universities, par
; ticularly the. Catholic University of
Washington, D. c., make noteworthy
exceptions from the general rule, and
; require the utmost exactness and
thoroughness, and degree given by
the named university, is degree of
which the possessor has just cause to
be proud. for it is given for real
merit only. The custom of comforting
honorary degrees on prominent persons,
many of whom could not have acquired
such degrees on their merit, is not a
good one, though it is practiced at
wholesale. 1t tends to lessen the value
of degree, and is an injustice to those
l who have taken much pains and have
:; worked faithfully in the acquisition of
: degree.
: The college education of girl is a
a somewhat different matter. The mum.
t ber who study for profession, is
Q Heaven be thanked, very limited, ex'
cept for the profession of school teach
9 ing, and what is needed for that pur
= pose, is generally acquired at high
7, school, seminary, or some other min
/ or college. Nobody who has the nationa
y welfare in mind, can contemplate with
S equanimity the work now done by oul
# numerous young females. Thousands
n work in factories. Of these those who
a work in the New England cotton anG
f. other mills, or in the sweat shops o.
y New York and other large cities, worf
r at starvation wages. Other Thousands
ir work as sales "ladies" for an average O.
n $3.50 per week at retail stores, ant
o, these consider themselves as far super
d ior beings to those who work in mill
# and factories, because their occupation
s. allows them to wear better-lookin,
D, dresses. These again are socially out
Is distanced by the many thousands ofgirl
a. who work in Offices and for whom the in
r, vention of the typewriting machine ha
10 created a great demand. But large a
s, the demand has been, it has alread
k been more than outnumbered by tn
ID demand for that kind of work. l
1T merchant or lawyer, who would adveI
k, tise in New York or Chicago news
~ paper for typewriter, would be sur
y, to receive several hundreds Of applica
le tions and some of these applicants woul
IN offer their services as low as at $3.50 t
I'd $500 per week, just to get the chanc
is to start in that kind of work.
The occupation as female servant
or is almost exclusively in the hands 0