Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-01-20
CONTINUED from last issue)

CONTINUED from last lSSue)
idea that the university had grown too
large longer to train its students mere
There was no provision for the stu
dents outside of the classrooms. What
they did elsewhere, where they lived,
what they talked about, with whom
they associated, what books they read,
what ideals of life were held up before
them-with all these the university in
the days before had had nothing to do.
Fifteen hours a week In lecture rooms
represented the only opportunity pos
sessed by the faculty to educate" the
men. All this. said the president, must
be changed. These young men must
not be turned out into the street to 60
and come without direction. without
proper companionship, without inspira-
ton. during the other $50 hours Of the
week. His idea was to put the stu
dents more intimately into association
with body of young instructors who
were to afford the undergrads friendly
companionship and oversight. Formal
recitations were largely abolished.
Men studied subjects; they did not
merely take courses"
The cost of the preceptorial system
was very great, approximately $780,
600 year. 1t was determined to
raise at least a part Of this by sub
scriptions from the alumni. Possibly
this determination was practical er-
ror, for 1t gave the alumni an influ-
ence and voice in the management Of
the university; especially 1t gave them
degree of control over the teaching
system which has not thus far been
particularly happy in its results.
The preceptorial system was estab-
lished and became distinctive feature
of Princeton life. In connection with
the new curriculum 1t worked-call it
a miracle and you use none too strong
word. It created new Princeton.
The minds of hundreds Of students
were emanclpated and stimulated; the
place pulsated with new sort Of
spontaneity and zest.
Princeton university. which. when
the last president resigned. was in such
a case that. according to a trustee Of
the day. its career threatened to end
in its virtual extinction" as an impor.
tant educational influence in America.
was attracting the surprised attention
Of the country. 1t had constructive
program. 1t had leader and har-
monious faculty. and 1t had at least
an acquiescent board Of trustees.
Alas, that the further steps in that
program. the further ends to which
the leaders clear vision and firm pur.
pose looked. meant-democracy. Alas,
that the educational revolution could
not have proceeded without laying its
irreverent hand on what the spirit Of
old Princeton recognized as the sacred
ark of social privilege. Alas. that It
showed 80 much more concern for
manhood than for-money.
CHAPTER VIII.
Democracy or Aristooraoyf
~ R. WILSON had served I've
III years as president of Prince
ton university before he
reached the point Of irrepres.
sible conflict. So long as he confined
himself to the strictly educational
workings Of the school he had been
allowed to have his way without much
opposition. But now, when his con-
structve mind reached over to the
students social life and undertook to
organize that and bring 1t into proper
relationship with the other elements
of university life. he found that he
had put his hand upon what the guard
ians of the aristocratic institution
were really interested in and what
they were not disposed to see changed.
In brief. his idea was the organiza-
ton Of the university In a number Of
colleges" or "quadrangles" -practical-
~ dormitories-each Of which should
harbor q certain number of men from
every class, with few Of the younger
professors.
President Wilson secured the ap-
pointment Of a committee consisting
Of seven Of the trustees to investigate
the merits Of the quad proposal, and
at the June 5000 meeting the com.
mittee reported on 1.-The social co.or.
dinatlon Of the university" indorsing
Mr.. Wilson's plan. The report Of this
was accepted and its recon-
mendation adopted with only one dis
senting vote. twenty-five Of the TWEEN.
ty-seven trustees being present, at the
June meeting.
What was amiss with the quad"
proposal7
This-that 1t cut into the aristocratic
social structure which the dominating
element in Princeton had erected for it.
self.
II, visiting Princeton, you will pro-
coed to the top Of a street known as
Prospect avenue and pass down 1t you
will see something which probably is
not paralleled at any seat Of learning
in the world. Prospect avenue Is lined
with clubhouses, twelve Of them with
handsome buildings, beautiful lawns
and tennis courts and, in the case Of
the more favored clubs on the south
side Of the street. a delightful view
across the valley to the eastward.
Some Of the clubhouses are sumptuous,
comparing very favorably with the
best city clubs Their aggregate value
must be much more than 100000
The clubs house on an average thirty
members each-flfteen juniors and If
teen seniors, about $50 in all, juniors
and seniors alone being eligible Three
hundred other members Of those class