And State Papers 405 



When I come to the University of California and 

 am greeted by its President I am greeted by an old 

 and valued friend, a friend whom I have not merely 

 known socially but upon whom, while I was Gov- 

 ernor of New York, I leaned often for advice and as- 

 sistance in the problems with which I had to deal. 

 When he accepted your offer I grudged him to 

 you. And it was not until I came here, not until I 

 have seen you, that I have been fully reconciled to the 

 loss. But now I am, for I can conceive of no hap- 

 pier life for any man to lead to whom life means 

 what it should mean, than the life of the President of 

 this great University. 



This same friend last night suggested to me a 

 thought that I intend to work out in speaking to 

 you to-day. We were talking over the University 

 of California, and from that we spoke of the general 

 educational system of our country. Facts tend to 

 become commonplace, and we tend to lose sight of 

 their importance when once they are ingrained into 

 the life of the Nation. Although we talk a good 

 deal about what the widespread education of this 

 country means, I question if many of us deeply con- 

 sider its meaning. From the lowest grade of the 

 public school to the highest form of university train- 

 ing, education in this country is at the disposal of 

 every man, every woman, who chooses to work for 

 and obtain it. The State has done much, very much ; 

 witness this university. Private benefaction has 

 done very much ; witness also this university. And 

 each one of us who has obtained an education 



