Amidst the confusion whic...
The Times, 1824-02-16T00:00:00

Amidst the confusion which took place at the last meet- ing of the Proprietors of East India Stock, it was hardly observed that the regular purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on a proposition, or propositions, respecting the Academic Establishment belonging to the Company at Haileybury. As this is a subject to which probably our journal first directed public attention some years ago, and as we then foreaw and predicted the evils which have since sprung up from the establishment in question, it may not be unbecoming in Bs to resume our remarks on the present occasion. At an early period of the institution, we stated the absurdity of its regulations, aiid their inaptitude to answer the end proposed: and from that early period to the present, the College, as it is called, has bcen the scene of more riots or rebellions, probably, than all the other great schools of England put together. The consequence of every disturbance has been" a demand on the part of the Professors of more power. We solicit atten- tion to this circumstanec, not on account of its pecu- liarity, but on accourt of its strict analogy to the cir- cumstances of every other government which is in its na- ture unsuitable to the condition of the persons governed. A weak Sovereign alvays coraplains of the turbulence of his subjects, and demands or arrogates to himself more power than the laws allow for their government. A wise King can manage his State with half the prerogatives wlhich are requircd by a foolish one. We do not say that the go- verniors of the institution at Haileybury are personally fool- ish men-indeed, the reputation wlhich one or two of them have obtained would refute the chaige-but it is clear by the result, it is clear by the motion now before the Pro- prietors, that the rules of government are foolish ; and we think there has also been a si}ly vanity, producin g a bliind disregard to consequences, on the part of the governors, through which they not only first enforced those rules to the utmost, but have since given them an extension and force which now disturb all the other springs of adminis- tration. The Academy at Haileybury was established simply for the instruction of youth going out in civil ca- pacities to the British East India possessions-a rational and attainable object, if proper means had been pursued; but for want of these, the institution has gone on gradually- arrogating fresh attributes for the discharge of what it conceived to be its duty, till at last it has obtain- ed, is in actual possession and in full exercise of, a power unconteniplated by the founders of the establishment-.of an absolute V?TO in the case of all the civil appointments of the British Empire in the East! These, we say, are its present attributes; and let any one ask himself for what purpose they have been conferred? The answer, we assert, can be essentially no other thanthis-They have been con- ferred for the purpose of enablingabout ten schoolmas- ters to govern about two hundred boys! Were ever such mighty means employed for so puny an object? These are, in truth, the facts of the case ; and it is not a sufficient reply to this statement to say, that these monstrous attributes, though possessed, wilU not bQ abused. Inordinate power-that is, a power more than adequate to the object which it has to effect-is a misehief even to contemnplate; for it has a tendeucy to debase the minds of those who even see it in repose, with the know. ledge that it may be put forth into aetion. But inordinate power always will be abused: and wc say further, that in the present instance, it is not consistent with the best feel- ings of the human mind that it should be exercised with frigid impartiality; for, regard being had to the sources from whence the power is derived, it is not likely that its depo- sitaries should exercise it with equal severity upon the childrenr of their benefactors and those of others. Powver, therefore, being liable to abuse, this power is subject to a peculiar liability.__ -__