Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1911-09-22
PRESIDENT M'vEY
TAKES EXCEPTIONS

Since the articles by r. T. Crane in
which college life and college prob
lens are discussed and criticised in a
way that is destructive rather than
constructive have been given rather
wide circulation throughout this state
and the northwest generally, the fol-
lowing statement from the president
OF our own state university is very
timely. President McVey says:
About six months ago, Mr.. Crane
Of Chicago, who just now is so much
quoted, issued a pamphlet, inveighing
against the employment of college men
in the industries, his argument being
that they were unified by their col
lege life for a business calling. He
has now followed his earlier utter
ances by the recent interview on the
depravity of college men It will be
remembered that this is the Mr.. Crane
who was appointed minister OF China
and afterwards recalled by President
Taft before he took steamer from San
Francisco. So much for Mr.. Crane.
Something of what he says is true, yet
Mr.. Crane seeks not so much the bet
terment of the college as to give them
a body blow that will shake public con-
| fdence in institutions OF learning. He
forgets entirely the larger body Of stud
ents who are following their studies
conscientiously each day.
| There is some dissipation in COL
leges, but my observation has been
that it is limited to small percentage
OF the men in attendance, while the at
titude of every college administration
is strongly against such conduct on
the part of students. Comparison with
| the college life Of quarter of CEN
tury ago brings out the fact that moral
standards are higher in colleges than
in the past; the same observation is
true Of the conduct of business and
professional men, everywhere there
has been general uplift. To colleges
are sent few young men whom par
ents have been unable to control, theiI
habits before their entrance upon &C
ademic life would not be creditable tt
any community, yet the college is
blamed for what is later called the
downfall of the young man. On the
other hand, there will be found in ev
cry college, (the larger percentage O.
the students in my opinion), men wht
nave before them the highest ideals
: and whose every day life is absolutel!
blameless. These are the men who ar,
overlooked, and for whom the institu
ton of learning is conducted, the 9th
: ers are the scum that you'd come t.
the surface, whether in college or else
where. There is no other place. MI
Crane TO the contrary, where boy l.
brought under SO many ennobling IN
fIe1ces as in college
" en- all is said and done, the col
| Iege trained man will take care of him
self, if be cannot, his education is NO
alone to blame, but the responsibility
must be shared by public school, fam
a lily, and community. In the Universit
Of North Dakota student public opinion
is strongly against dissipation Abou
seventy per cent of the students ear
L all or a part of their way through co
J. lege, and they are not willing to thro7
away what has been bought at sue
cost. There have been instances G
SHINING against the moral codes bu
the percentage of those who do veI
ture from the straight way is yer
small l have been in a great man
colleges, and L am greatly impresse
with the high tone OF student moral
= in the University of North Dakota, an
the boy Of right intent will have no di
y fculty in leading a highly commends
II BILE life If sent to the State University
Nevertheless, if Mr.. Crane has sal
anything that will arouse students an
faculties to Increased sense of respo1
q sibility his rather sour way of gettin
y at the problem may at least be tolera