Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-06-04
THE MENACE TO EDUCATION.

The University of Oregon made
a tremendous mistake when it at
tempted to prevent the people
from having a referendum vote
on the big appropriations given It
by the last legislature. The people
will forgive many things to those
who trust them and give them a
square deal, but they are not vet
ready to turn the other cheek to
those who smite them and try to
get the advantage of them by un-
derhand methods Indeed, it seems
to me that men who have no
higher sense Of honor and of pub
lie duty than those who were re-
sponsible for these attempts to get
the money the university ought
not to have expected for five or
ten years for buildings all at once,
and take it from the taxpayers by
dark lantern methods, are morally
unfit to be trusted with the train
ing of our youth. -Woodburn In
dependent.
The above is a far sample of the
slush that is being weekly printed in
order to curry favor with certain
class and which, In a very great
measure, is hindering the work of the
state educational institutions. The
burden of the alleged argument in
the above editorial is an appeal to
class. one of the most often used and
threadbare policies of the crafty poll
itician and INSCRIPTIONS newspaper
10 gain favor, and promote their
sphere of endeavor. Ten chances to
one the author of it, personally knows
he writes. He doesn't know whether
the state university really needs the
new buildings, or whether the pres
ent facilities are antiquated and inad-
equate. He only knows that he sees
an opportunity, by dishing up a.
choice collection Of buncombe, for it
Is nothing else. to pose as the friend
OF the taxpayer.
The. Observer doesn't profess to
know personally whether the appro-
priation asked for by the state uni
verslty Is really worthy. But we do
know that people who are acquaint-
ed with the real conditions at Eu-
gene. have declared that the present
facilities there are grossly inadequate
10 the needs of the state university
and that the niggardly policy of the
past that has prevailed In Oregon
with reference TO It's educational in
stitutions. has resulted In driving
many of the states young men and
young women to other common
wealths, where a short sighted policy
has not prevailed and where the
universities have been giver every
opportunity to perfect themselves.
We have been informed. for instance,
that the state university has not the
proper accommodations for even the
students now there. II is said that
the class rooms are so small and few
In number that they are greatly over
crowded and students are compelled
10 sit on the steps of the recitation
platforms and I'm every other possi-
ble place.
Any appeal which carries with II
a probable donation of money is al
ways subject To attack. People gen.
orally shy at any bill or proposition .
which contemplates the expenditure I
of public funds. The politician and 4
others are quick to realize this. and
rush to the defense Of the people"
as they call Il. and condemn the
measure. without regard to its ne
cesslty. hoping thereby 20 be hailed
rs the friend OF the 'peepul." A few
weeks ago rampant newspaper OF
Oregon complained because the pres
dent Of one OF the state schools re-
,elved salary which would be con-
'idered penurious by many OF the
high school principals OF the country;
ret. In the face OF such sentiment.
lcople wonder why the educational
Of this state have TO
Ight continually for their very exist
nee. ft is not that the people do
.ot appreciate such things: not that
hey do not want their children TO s
ave the best advantages available
ut because the commonwealth has D
system which proves a continual I
lenace and means by which a bunch Q
Z individually appointed guardians a
Z the peepul- may pose az leaders q
nd pave the way for Fat oficiai DO q
items hereafter.
n. when the university referendum q
ial come before the people for their n
pproval and the voters shall be a
ny Informed a. to the true state h
Affairs. The Observer has enough q
'nndence ia the intelIiecncc of the q
.opie of Oregon 10 believe that they q