Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-07-07
BLAMES THE FARMER
FOR NOT EDUCATING
HIS CHILDREN
Quebec Educator CHARGES
That Not Enough Money
Is Spent for the
Purpose.
CHICAGO TEACHER
ATTACKS COLLEGES
Declares That Higher Institution
Has Failed In It's Purpose
and There Is Need
of Radical
Change.

oShNSis July t.-1ne FARMER was
charged with being parsimonious and
selfish in dealing with the education
of his son. in an address before the
rural and agricultural department of
the National Education association
this morning James w. RobertsSn.
president of Mcdonald college at ST.
Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. declared
that the farmer wants a little educa-
tion for his son but does not want to
pay and does not want more educa-
tion because he thinks his son will
leave him.
This is where he is wrong" said
Robertson, because IL the son knew
more the farmers acres would be
worth more
Dick j. Crosby, of the agricultural
department. Washington, pleaded for
a closer relation between the rural
schools and the community. He want
ed to make a knowledge Of good coax,
ing and the ability TO make fences
the goal of strife for the community
as well as familiarity with the three
RS.
College a Failure.
THE American College of Liberal
Arts has lamentably failed as a popu-
that Institutions az highel educstlen in
that lit trains less than one per scent
of our young men and women, but
one tenth of one per cent OF the popu-
lation. II has permitted various in
stitutions notably correspondence
schools, private business schools. in
dustrial and agricultural schools to
usurp its function. because of illiber-
ality." So declared Prof. Samuel Wen
dell Williston of the University of Chi
cago, at a meeting today of the De-
psrtment of Higher Education. held
in connection with the Convention of
the National Educational association.
1T has lost discipline. both mental
and moral continued the speaker.
"tlll the charge is freely made, and
in a great measure truthfuly, that
very large proportion of its stu
dents are seeking m cely the diploma
rather than an education which will
fit them for higher pursuits in life;
who work. upon the average, but
three or four hours daily and who ac-
qure habits neither of industry nor
application; that there has been de-
cided lowering Of the moral standard
among college students; that, upon a
whole the bachelor degree is losing
its significance as an indication of fit
ness for most OF the pursuits of life.
Discipline Is Gone.
"Undeniably the college has lost
discipline by the general adoption of
the system of electives. which leaves
SO much to the caprice and unintel-
ligent choice of the inexperienced
student. There has been, also. de-
moralization both of discipline and
requirements as a result OF the rivalry
among institutions. especially the
state institutions for numbers: insti-
tutions are still for the most part
gauged by their size. rather than By
their product. Furthermore, the cleo
tive system has lowered the discipline
by the rivalry among the different
teachers in the same institutions FOR
large classics. with the development
of soft courses--concessions to the all
too obvious inclinations of most stu
dents to seek the easiest way To their
diploma with little regard for the val
ue Of the work accomplished.
perhaps the gravest charge which
may with Justice be laid against the
college is that it has hindered or re-
tarded the best development OF the
high school; or has perverted It from
the highest uses to the people Most
high schools still arrange their course
OF study chiefly for the needs OF the
three or four per cent Of its pupils
who are preparing for college, to the
detriment. or at least discOuTa cement.
OF the ninety-six per cent who have
neither the desire nor the opportuni-
ty TO continue their education. The
fact that only twelve per cent OF those
who enter the high school ever grad
uate is also largely due to the influ-
'cnCe OF the cOllese'
Reform Il Neetled
The speaker said he believed that
the only hope for the regeneration,
not only Of the high school, but the
college also lies in this complete Sc
verancc Of this control. that the leav-
ening ot the whole system of higher
education must begin from below.
instead of from above. as has been
the case hitherto: that the high school
should seek the highest and widest
Held for development without regard
To the college whose field for useful