Correspondence (incoming): Alla - An, 1893-1896

card Menlo Mch 9/96

Dear Mrs Stanford

Last evening, amidst the general rejoicing, I heard the cheer rise often for the one person who had { ?} Stanford University - or from one who had fought for its life for three weary years, with undaunted courage and devoted love.

I wish to add my personal expression of admiration and gratitude, as I write with many in prayers for your continued

life, usefulness, and peace.

Not amongst the fortunate of my people who enjoy a college education, I am, perhaps, amongst the more fortunate older persons who find that Stanford, true to her creed, opens her arms to all.

With sincere gratitude and warm congratulations, may I sign myself

One of your Students

Stanford University March 3 1896

Oakland Oct. 1893

Dear Mrs. Stanford,

As any reliable information tending to better the condition of the students will be welcomed in this private way rather than through the papers, I take the liberty of bringing before your notice a few interesting facts. When Senator Stanford said, "I find that my idea of what this university should be has not been carried out. I see that I must run the institution myself," he fully realized that David Starr Jordan was only an educational humbug poorly aping the old fashion schools of Johns Hopkins, Cornell, and the like. He does not recognize the value of a good teacher unless he or she happens to be his intimate friend or a former neighbor or at least some theoretical talker. Incompetent friends of his have been appointed to professorships at Palo Alto. Take as an example the Spanish class. Last year under a very able little Spaniard that class did fine work and numbered about a hundred pupils. This year of the fully 150 students who wanted Spanish there are hardly 20 because the teacher does not speak the language nor is he practical. But what does that matter to Jordan. He just wanted here another intimate, and the 2 months this old neighbor of his passed last summer in Spain must have equiped him to teach in Jordan's college at Palo Alto. Thus the language of most practical value was brought down to nothing. What would you say if English was taught by an Italian speaking broken English. Would you think then that your good money was usefully paid out and honorably earned?

No matter how much the students grumble among themselves about that and other absurd ways in which certain courses are conducted, they do not dare to speak right out fearing the usual consequences when opposing Jordan's petty ideas about teaching and teachers.

A little investigation of the facts - not of Jordan's quack talkwill convince you that your college is running for the sole gratification of Jordan's bigoted and selfish aims, treating those whom the college is for as a matter of a very secondary consideration.

People often wonder why a man so pitifully unrefined and unculture should be at the head of an institution for the refinement and culture. I often hear people coming to visit the grounds remark, "this is a beautiful university but its ungainly president reminds me of a foreman in a cattle ranch."

Yours Truly,