Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-07

were helped and men who were him
oered by college education"
Hindered?" was repeated.
The senator smiled
Yes, hindered." he said There are
many men-especially those who are
to enter public life-who must learn
their lessons in the hard school of
practical experience. +.
Mind you, / am not criticising these
men. Frequently they will develop
into good leaders. Their minds are
simply such that the routine of col
lege life does not assist them. They
cannot take up and absorb studies in
which they have no interest. Given an
opportunity to educate themselves;
given also plenty of sound work to
keep them busy. these men will de-
velop wonderfully"
do you believe" was inquired, that
college can spoil a man for public nfe?"
Yes" he said 1.-THE cases are rare
exceptional, in fact. But every little
while they occur. II man can grasp
college education as part OF the work Of
life and not as a recreation preparatory
to serious business he will attain a de-
velopment which will come to him later
by other and harder roads Of knowledge.
better that he be permitted to learn in
the school OF experience"
Next the writer went to the Office of
Senator Morris Sheppard Of Texas
Youngest member of the upper chamber
of Congress. The senator was graduated
from university in his own state and
afterWard took course at Yale His
brothers and sisters were all educated at
college and hold their degrees
Nothing will take the place Of q col
lege education" he said. "A man
who would excel. especially In public life,
must have well ordered. well trained
mind. He cannot be guessing at things.
In my opinion the value of college edu-
cation lies not alone in the knowledge
absorbed but In the faculties Of con-
centration and mental orderliness.
Teaching himself, a man will bring
in the non-essentials. He has not the
concrete grasp OF study which enables
the trained educator to show his pupils
how to dtfferentiate between the essen
tial and the non-essential
The training that a man accomplished
for himself may be invaluable. But
there are many years Of his life which
are used In the pursuit OF knowledge
which might have been gained more
swiftly, more compactly, IL he had taken
up the study under instruction"
Pausing for a moment, the senator con-
tinued:
Now, I'll show you that don't mean
an expensive education with fralls. I'll
give you my own case
When began my studies was badly
in need OF money. For two years man
aged to get along all right. Then. as
financial conditions became straitened, T
obtained q position as night Waterman.
You would be surprised to find how con-
ducive to study a night watchman's job
is During the long hours used to go
through my books, frequently getting we'll
ahead OF my lectures.
Then when graduated took course
at Yale. 1t was necessary to borrow
the money to do that. I raised 1t and
paid it back after hard work Those
times were hard But have never felt
reason ~ regret a cent Of the money
that expended. AS a matter Of fact I
regard 1t as the best investment / ever
made.
College education Is a steady. method
fcal training, an understanding OF the
art OF studying-a tremendous asset in
ITSELF"
"You don't think. was asked, that q
man might gain this knowledge by pri-
vate study and practical experienceT
do not" he replied.
And you do not believe that q knowl-
edge OF men equals tho knowledge of
bookBr'
Il think that q knowledge Of men will
come to the student. Those whom you
mast In oolleeo givs you insight into
human character. The training which