1892.] Editorials. f 753 
EDITORIALS. 
EDITORS, E. D. COPE AND J. 8, KINGSLEY. 
—TuHE elements are accumulating at Lincoln, Nebraska, for a 
rather complicated educational puzzle. The State University was 
established here some twenty odd years ago. Since that time the State 
has treated it liberally, and some five or six years ago, under the care- 
ful guidance of Dr. Bessey, it ceased being a plaything of sectarian 
plans and came rapidly forward until it stands to-day one of the 
strongest institutions of learning in the west. In all future educational 
matters it will be an important factor. Within recent years Lincoln 
has developed a regular craze for “ University ” building. Simply to 
“boom” real estate, colleges are constantly being founded in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the city, it being a poor year which does not see 
the installation of a new “University” in Lincoln or its suburbs. 
At last information (now three weeks old) Lincoln had, besides the 
State University, the following other institutions of so-called higher 
education: Nebraska Wesleyan University, Cotner University, Union 
University (we thought the Schenectady institution had the copyright 
on that name) Normal University, Western Normal College and an 
Episcopal College, the name of which is not at hand. Six institu- 
tions, not one of which can maintain a decent college course, to say 
nothing of making University pretensions. Land speculation and 
sectarian pride are responsible for ‘their existence. From the edu- 
cational standpoint they are entirely uncalled for. 
As to their future it would seem as if one or two things could occur. 
They will either drop absolutely out of existence, or they will develop 
into fitting schools for the stronger and better endowed State Univer- 
sity or for denominational schools in other places. At first sight one 
would think that there would naturally come about affiliation and 
union; a development of each in its own line. But apparently not. 
Denominational pride, and more probably conscious incompetence will- 
prevent any mixing, any exposure of the young to the knowledge that 
they are receiving the veriest sham under the name of a college educa- 
Honce =: 
