East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-11-11
COLLEGE MAN AND POLITICS
CBy Henry ?. Hollis. L. s Senator

(By Henry ?. Hollis. L. 5. Senator
from New HampShire)
7 was graduated at Harvard in
1895. believe I am the first Har-
ward man Of radical views 10 occupy
a seat In the senate.
I do not fairly represent Harvard
college In the senate OF the United
states. I am quite sure that Harvard
college is not representative Of the
United states. nor OF New England.
she is too conservative. too hide
bound. She lags behind the times.
In the middle west the bond be-
tween some states and their leading
universities Is very close. The state
legislatures submit questions Of pub
lie policy 10 the college faculties. and
receive opinions which largely con-
troll their action. This IS particularly
the case IN Wisconsin.
Imagine. II you please. the legisla-
ture Of Massachusetts, requesting an
opinion from the faculty OF Harvard
college. Imagine the reception g.
would get on Beacon Hill, II II should
lind its way there.
II r. a great pity that the political
arm Of our state and natlOnl govern
ments should not receive support from
our colleges. Our leading college pro-
fessOrs look on politics as a low pur
suit. a nasty business. Our leading
legislators regard college opinion az a
i0ke. Both these attitudes are very
real: they are equally mistaken.
There are many brave patriotic /
men among the hosts Of brainy. up
night professors on our college facul- /
ties. There are many brave. patriotic I
men among the senator's of the United /
states But the college men regard .
most politicians a. corrupt and insin- /
cere while the politicians regard coll J
lege professors ~ impractical theor- I
lists. Worse than this. they believe I
that all college views are tainted by I
the great sums Of money which have |
been bestowed By men Of great wealth I
College professors are nOtOriOusly /
ll paid They must I've respectfully;
they must associate with people of
culture and refinement: they must
educate their children ~ expensive
schools and colleges. They cannot
save enough 10 become indeDendent;
they are dependent for their very liy-
Ing on the governing board Of the
college and the governing board must
satisfy the rich men who make
DriDcely donations 10 the college
The heller n prealent among public
men IN Washington that every east
srB college is eating from the hand
hat has robbed the pockets Of the
people Until this belief II dissipat-
% cOnRTeas Will have little faith In
Jur colleges or In college men.
4 college 90 best Will act the part
II IN old man, q conservative old
nan, IN politics. Worse than that,
I VII act the part ~ an old society
nsD IN politics; u II likely 10 be snob-
,lsb. superciIloUs and OyeTDioe,
We know that the young man II
he progressive spirit, the radical IN
,Ollflcs A. he gets older he becomes
his political arteries
arden, be- slows down. Not until he
.ecomes TOO old for radical action
Oes b. become important enough 10
DfeT me faculty The dominant note
hen, ~ college circles Ia the note ~
ps Old man. the man ~ influence,
be- conservative.
ana among the students. where
oDfb IL. We find the chill ~ cODyeD
On, tbs rule u the social lion. The
IaD IN ne baggY suit with the eoun
y haircut, siaye IN the background
gTing hia college course: be feels
Iat be has nothing IN common With
.e ucb. yoDDg blade vino cuts dash
IN hN automobile 0r riding bOrse,
. sHcks ~ bic bOoks. lenyes 10 I'M