Still Another

To the Editor of The Register : There ia muoh discussion jutt now in regard to the medical deparlment clinic. The proposition is to divide the department and take part of the term to Detroit, becaine of the superior faoilities there to learn the practical part of the profession. That Detroit possesses superior facilities for this purpose, no one will seriously question. This is equally true of at least two other departmente of the University, the law department and the department of mechanical engineering. Detroit furnishes unufual facilities for lsarning the practice in all departments of the lavr. She has also very extensive and complete facilities for the illustration of the practical part of mechanical engineering. I am very sure however. that the bar of Detroit would unanimously oppose any such proposed división of the law department, and I am equally certain that the business men of Detroit would not favor the división of the department of mechanical engineering. Tbere are several citiee in the state that oould furnish facilities for illustrating some one departmeüt of the University, superior to those of Ann Arbor. The fact is that the intelligent citizens of this state, years ago, becarce firmly eonvtnced that the unity of the University was of more practical value to the students than the superior facilities for instruction that any one pla:e could offer. The unity and integrity of the üniversity is not a mere sentiment; it is a valuable principie, grounc out and established by actual experience Taere is 6omething in the education o large numbers of young people together that tends to inake tbetn broader and better citizens and professional men, which may be somewhat difficult to analyze, bu which is very readily seen and admitted Tou cannot make a complete physician in four years, in the best hospital in the world. Indeed, it is an admitted fact that students who have accesB to hospitals in the large citiee, invariably neglect their books. It is well known that the students of New York city dread to meet the graduates of our University in competitive examinations for hospital poBitions. Granting all that is claimed for the superior clmical facilities of Detroit, it is a very grave question whether they would or could compénsate for the dismemberment of tLis department. We believe that if the faoilities already attainable. with such as might be adJed by the harmonious and united efforts of the medical faculty and citizens, should be used here, we would get better practical results than by having a term at Detroit. If the división should be made, the sons of wealthy parents would go to New York, as now, and the poor boys could not afford to move to Detroit. And now as to the remedies proposed towards those who favor tbe Detroit project. It is suggested, quite freely, that these members of the faculty be dismissed. It would hardly seem to be neceseary or wise to dismiss experienced and valuable instructora, because they have mistaken somewhat the scope of their employment and through mistaken zeal, have in a measure, usurped preogatives ot the regents. This very serious error was made by the regenta in the case of Dr. Tappan, and it was as unnecessary, as it was unfortunate for the University. It would seem to be entirely possible for the regents to ageert and maintain their authority as the controlling body of the University, without resort to such extreme measures. It is certainly highly improper and subversive of the successful management and conduct of the Univeraity, to have members of the different faculties diseuss the afFairs of the University in the newspapers and before the state legislature. This should be stopped once for all ; but it certainly can be accomplished without resortne to the extreme measures proposed. Ann Afbor, May 27th, 1889.