Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1910-11-25

sense Of honesty, not a sense Of
honesty that is satisfied by re-
framing from larceny and high
way robbery, but honesty which
counts it a crime to get rich by
doing harm to others, and refus-
60 to have any part with "thOse
that Cypress the hireling in his
wages, the widow and the father
less, ana that turn aside the
stranger from his right and fear
not me, saith the Lord Of Hosts. "
II is not yet generally realized
how powerful an agency for righ,'
eOusness is the influence of men
whose characters have been form
ed by severe scientific training
-the physicist, chemist, bacteria
lOgist, engineer.
The engineering profession is
a lucrative one and, the main
spring of action with the engi-
neer is doubtless desire to make
money, but he recognizes reStric-
tons on his money getting. He
is not at liberty to swear falsely
about the strength of a structure
nor to cOnnive at frauds in put
ting it up. He must be content
with legitimate profits and his
whole training tends to produce
such a spirit. The market value
Of his services depends on accu-
rate knowledge of the operation
of inflexible natural laws. This
knowledge is gained by weighing,
measuring, calculating, and its
inevitably produces a
just and equitable temper. The
professional standards of the en-
gineer react on all who come in
contact with him. He inculcates
honesty by example as well as
precept and he breaches six days
in the week.
The business of life insurance
is a good Illustration of the prop
OSitiOn put forth here. 1t is a
profitable business, and why is it
G profitable buSineSSY Because
the actuary has found out by
mathematical analysis how to adj
Just the premium so as to make
insurance a good investment for
both parties. 1t is only through
such methods that we may hope
10 reach a solution of our eco
homie problems, namely by ascer-
tanning automatically the just
balance, determined by memorable
laws, between apparently conflict
ing interests.
Our national life has been
crowded with stirring events but
future historians will name as it
mOSt important movement the re-
vival of scientific studies in our
higher education. The credit. of
lnaugurating this movement is
due chiefly to the Massachusetts
Institute Of Technology, whose
founder and first president, VIM
Barton Rogers, deserves a place
our temple of fame as honorable
as that assigned to Columbus.
On. the teaching staff which
Rogers gathered about him in
1865 was a young Harvard grad
uate whO'had taught Mathematics
and Chemistry at Cambridge,
Charles William Eliot. As Presi-
dent of Harvard, Eliot placed sci
ence on an equal footing with
classical scholarship and the eff
fects. of his association with Rog-
erS are clearly traceable through
out his long and brilliant car
eer.
Today, however, there is no
more question of comparison. It
has been found that scientific
training is in itself a liberal edu-
cation and one particularly adapt
ed to the genius of the American
people. As a representative alum
nus of Technology recently said.
her graduates. "'have succeeded
materially and morally, because
the pursuit of science cOmpels de-
votion to certain fundamental
things, mad because this Institute
of Technology has held herself
true and has held her children
true to these high ideals Of educa
ton and of life"