160 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EDUCATION. 
[t is being given unworthily ; it is being given for studies en absentia. There is an 
stitution in the State of Tilinois which has put out a paper saying that it will give the 
degree for one or two years’ work ¢n absentia, sometimes with an oral examination, and 
sometimes without it.” There is another institution in Iowa, where the graduates, in 
‘heir annual meeting, have had to implore the authorities to put a stop to the practice 
of giving the degree of Ph.D. for a little work, and the sending in of a thesis which 
might be copied out of the magazines. Apparently the only way in which institutions 
can at present protect themselves is to put after the degree the name of the institution 
conferring it. 
ProrESsor Frsaer, of Wheaton College, Illinois, said he wishea to emphasize the 
last speaker’s words. He unfortunately belonged to a college that had advertised this 
Jegree for study in absentia, though he was happy to say that the conditions had been 
placed so high that no one has come and asked that he might do the work and receive 
the degree. There are institutions in Illinois that have conferred the degree for study 
in absentia, and they continue to do it. 1t would be weil for the real universities of 
:he country to have some plan of concerted action go as to protect the colleges against 
she importunities of degree seekers. 
Proressor HaLE thought the evil had been puinted out fully and courageously. 
There was no reason way we should not boldly mention names. He knew of two 
nstitutions, Syracuse University in New York and Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, 
which granted this degree without residence. The practice is absolutely indefensible, 
and is working great injury. Perhaps resolutions adopted by this body, if adopted by 
‘he great majority, would be valuable. 
PRESIDENT GILMAN called attention to the fact that the American Philological Asso- 
iation had passed resolutions endeavoring to arrest public attention and awaken public 
sentiment upon this matter. It might be well to appoint a committee of this Congress 
‘0 correspond and co-operate with other bodies with a view to protecting the Doctor’s 
legree. The requirements for such a degree are, in a sense, matters of detail ; but it is 
“lear that the degree, to be maintained in its dignity, ought to stand for higher work 
Jone in our universities, through a prolonged period, under competent men. with 
yeeess to suitable laboratories and libraries. 
PRESIDENT BLANCHARD agreed in deprecating the too common practice of conferring 
Jegrees upon persons who are unworthy of them. Still, the main stress of the 
argument in this matter did not, in his judgment, lie so much between residence and 
non-residence at universities as between merit and demerit. If a degree is merited, it 
is a credit to the institution which confers it, and to the person who receives it, no 
matter how he may have got the attainments which have called forth that recommenda- 
tion ; and if a degree was not merited, it does not make any difference, for it is a dis- 
sredit to the institution which confers it, and also to the person who receives if. - 
On motion of President Gilman, seconded by President Gates of Iowa College and 
professor Hale of the University of Chicago, the following resolution was then unani- 
mously adopted : 
Resolved, That a committee of this section be appointed to correspond and co-operate 
vith committees of other educational and scientific bodies, which have been or may be 
\ppointed, to protect the significance of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor 
of Science. 
It was moved by Professor West that the Chairmen printed in the programme of the 
sessions of this Congress be appointed such a committee, and that the committee have 
power to add to their number. 
The motion was unanimously adopted. The members of the committee elected under 
she resolution of the Congress are as follows : 
President Gilman, of Johns Hopkins University, Chairman ; 
President Angell, of the University of Michigan ; 
President Dwight, of Yale University ; 
President Harper, of the University of Chicago ; 
President Low, of Columbia College ; 
President Patton, of Princeton University. 
TOR k 
mr 
Dr. 1 
has clear 
sivilizat 
and the 
tion. 
In tL 
word ir 
citizen. 
the higl 
training 
citizens! 
proport 
were lix 
Chris 
zen, bw 
of educ: 
its direc 
and des 
grasp. 
thereto 
that co 
and th 
beyond 
But sa 
mortals 
sojourn 
which 
things 
than th 
tion to 
sacred 
So, t 
Civiliza 
mology 
in all ti 
And, a 
not on! 
a8 ot