EleoHrc Si/sfe)n in Eiujuk'Ci'diii ('oUegen. — Wnthsvorfli . 285 
a measure serve as an exponent of the ability, thoroughness, 
or honesty of sucih other professors as have had charge of his 
previous studies. Any evidence of general inferiority in 
training in any one subject is quickl}'^ detected, and the rem- 
edy should be promptly applied. 
Should a professor introduce courses foreign to the work 
of the school, the fact is quickly made apparent because no 
other professor prescribes such courses as preparatory to his 
own,nordo the students elect them. Hence this system does 
iiWRj completely with all padded courses, incompetent in- 
struction, or irrelevant matters given merely to fill in a certain 
amount of time. It makes such instruction serve as a check 
on the proficiency of the others, produces a co-ordinate system 
of studies, and renders possible educational results which un- 
der the old systems would demand a much larger faculty. 
V. The Elective System is the only one ivhich can make full 
Provision for the differences in Temperam,ent, Taste and 
Talents, irhich must always exist between the various Mem- 
- hers of the Stiulent Body. 
Under the elective system the student selects that work for 
which he has been properly endowed by nature; he takes far 
greater interest in it, and the results are deep and permanent. 
So marked is this that no instructor in the Michigan Mining- 
School now hesitates to demand of his men far higher and 
better work than even the most sanguine could ever hope to 
get under tlie old rigid system. Even if the elective system 
does demand higher work in each branch, and a more profi- 
cient preparation for each study, the student himself readily 
sees the object and justice of each requirement, and cheerfully 
accepts an obligation carrying with it freedom in choice of 
studies and avoidance of non-essential ones. All this acts like 
oil upon the machinery and enables the product to be turned 
out with little noise, friction and wear and tear. 
Since engineering is largely a matter of economics, is it not 
wise to have the student make the first application of this 
principle when expending his own energy and time? 
VI. ('ertain C'onditions are Essential if the Elective Si/.s- 
tem is to be a Success. 
It must be clearly recognized that every educational insti- 
tution has its individual peculiarities, hence before undertak- 
ing the introduction of a new system, or a modification of an 
