New-York tribune., 1908-02-05
COLLEGES CRITICISED.
Pan More attention to Number than
Class of Men admitted.

American universities criticised by Dr. j. IL
Garfield in report to the faculty OF Colulnpia oo
iege on the educational characteristics Oh f-iis ~
and France. Dr. Garfield spent three months study
inc English and French universities. He says they
pav more attention to the class OF men au'il''eu
tban to their number while American coheees
tolerate frivolous and idle men and conoone IAN
,1res which result from Incidence ana clsSipa'oi'
The report says:
Nor. than all else however and this hes WIIlLli I
not TO ,dmit applicants who unfit to prom, os
university education Not every one WIZ Wtlo 70 +aEe
oSticaIIv nrenared ought TO be permitted 10 '"in
IN a college course, much less ENCOURAGE -; ~ u
is the side Of character ] ana That the most
exact information should be sought the ast
Indifference and least willingness to accept respoii
sibility. 1t is entirely true that polcy VI 80
sion needs to be administered with greatest syn -
nathv as well as with extraordinary care But IL
should be remembered that the pain attn old OF clear
as possible and that the reputation of the unl' el
sity be considered and maintanea 0qu barslv T
Oxford officer, speaking OF stuoents VIZ ,onbe
the formal academic requirements od Oh q Irhe
lors degree gsnsray known IN aS pS is an
ally closely and dangerously bordering ul,oii
scandal 1t is sadly be feared that some Amer
lean institutions have so long endured frivolous
and idle men, for reason or another, that they
to tolerate ennui ideness, Incidence and dssipa-
tion in any way condone failures s wnlSh ~ Fts1s S
fewer students, if needs be-which does not at al,
Vicious and really ignorant 4 university degree
not only ought to guarantee certain amount of
intellectual training ACTIVITY ana success, pu slloulu ~
be reasonable proof that the holder has has been so so
accustomed TO industry and responsibility that ,, ne
will be neither idle inefficient nor irresponsible
at the beginning of his life work
Mr.. Garfield condemns the practice OF studying
for examinations and prizes saying:
AS the general result of studying for an exam
of studying for prizes and scholarships needs sharp
limitation in order to reduce its danger to the
should be the means by which poor men may re-
ceive an education otherwise impossible TO them,
and should never be USED otheT"lse- Inc cleas
should always be required and should be forthcom-
ing. Even then the recipient should understand
that he will be expected TO return the amount re-
ceiyed, without interest perhaps, soon as he
can do without serious self-denal in order that
others may profit by this increased recurrent
fund. In other words prizes and scholarships
should not be permitted to add artificial stimulus
10 the work of those financially able, TO in
crease their bondage to a formal standard mathe
matically expressed. but should be plainly assist
given students who have honorably shown
ing under free system stimulated only by the
possibility OF continuing such work longer than
ing with regard to these matters is so intense in
England to-day, that many most deeply interested
think it quite possible that the whole question OF
prizes and scholarships will be entirely revolution
lied within ten years
There is a quite general feeling that a teacher
be tried and tested by his examinat ton papers
more accurately than by almost any other single
standard. There is no profession in which
goes stale more quickly or more easily than in
Of outlook to and believe that positive teach
ing power is the thing needful. the impera-
tive demand. and in the end must be the stand
ard by which recognition and advancement Sc
cured And II requires conscientious classroom
work. Quickened and enlightened by continued eff
tort Tor selfInprovement. TO keep a man fresh
and effective teacher. 1t is believed that his
examination papers show his status in these
other one form Of his work.