The Goose-step: A Study of American EducationSinclair, Upton
History
The Goose-step: A Study of American Education
Sinclair, Upton
Education -- United States; Universities and colleges -- United States
Now it is starting once more. I have a letter from another student, who
is going to try again, in spite of warning from the older students that
it may result in his not getting his diploma. The motto of Stanford used
to be “the wind of freedom blows”; but this sentiment was expressed in
German, and so a few years ago the trustees dropped it. Of course we
know that talk about “freedom” nowadays is German propaganda, or else
Bolshevik.
In the effort to introduce a little democracy into the faculty,
President Jordan established an Academic Council, which was supposed to
deal with questions suitable to the intelligence of professors. The
educational affairs of the state were in a bad way, and some professors
thought that was a proper subject for their attention. The Progressive
administration of Hiram Johnson had just come into power, and the
academic council adopted a resolution, favoring a commission to
reorganize the educational system of the state. But the interlocking
trustees would not stand for any dealings between their professors and a
state administration which was pledged to put them out of politics.
Grand Duke Timothy Hopkins came hurrying down, and ordered the Academic
Council to withdraw their resolution—which they did. To one of the
professors Mr. Hopkins made the grim statement, “We are coming back;”
meaning thereby that the railroad and other big grafters were going to
take over the government of California again—which they have done.
In her decree concerning the Stanford trust, Mrs. Stanford laid down the
rule, phrased as a request, that no Stanford professor “shall
electioneer among or seek to dominate other professors or the students
for the success of any political party or candidate in any political
contest.” This rule, like all other such rules, is interpreted to mean
that Stanford professors renounce their rights as citizens—when they do
not happen to agree with the politics of the plutocratic trustees. Thus
I note that no one makes any objection when President Wilbur joins with
President Barrows of California in issuing a manifesto to the people of
the state, opposing some of the constitutional amendments now being
submitted to the ballot. Neither do the Stanford authorities object that
Professor “Jimmie” Hyde spends two months campaigning with Mr. Moore,
candidate of the power interests and other reactionary business groups
for the Republican nomination for senator.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
The Goose-step: A Study of American Education — John Shaqi
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