Discussion on the Address of President Earle. 43 



here, and are finding it difficult to get technical training introduced. 

 Nor can I agree with you, Mr. President, that our greatest men 

 have had a libei'al education. If great men were those who have 

 had classic educations, then those who have stood highest at the 

 universities would stand highest in the national councils; but it is 

 not so. 



President Earle — I did not mean to imply that a college educa- 

 tion was a liberal education, or that graduation from a classical col- 

 lege gives a better training than graduation from a technical col- 

 lege ; only the tendency is now, in the east, to throw out liberal 

 •studies altogether, and to make our schools more and more tech- 

 nical and practical, to the exclusion of all literary studies. I wish 

 to have the question discussed, and will be glad to hear any criti- 

 cism, but I stand by the words and sentiments of my address. 



Dr. Kimball, of California — This is a time of material and tech- 

 nical training, and not a time of training in higher and better 

 things ; therefore, I was very glad to hear the words of the Presi- 

 dent urging the needs of a greater and wider classic culture. I 

 think the address was particularly needed just at this period, and 

 that its expressions were lit words spoken in season, and hope that 

 it will not be changed. 



Dr. Plummer, of Oregon — I am particularly pleased with what 

 was said about packing and shipping. I am in favor of the most 

 stringent laws to punish those who are dishonest in these matters, 

 for every person ought to be able to get fruit in good shape. But 

 lean not agree with what the President has said about laws against 

 destroying timber. I think it unwise to send a memorial to con- 

 gress on the subject, as it is impossible to make a general law that 

 would not be injurious to some parts of the country. In Oregon it 

 is necessary to destroy trees in large numbers, for in that state there 

 are localities where timber is not worth anvthinar at all ; there are 

 no mills at hand to saw it into boards, nor any villages where it 

 can be sold for firewood; it encumbers the ground, and in order to 

 clear the ground for cultivation it is necessary to destroy it ; and 

 so it is in some other localities. This country is too diversified for 

 a general law ; each state should be left to itself in this matter. 



