Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-31

oriiy, the true condition thereof prior the
ear 1886; yet they can state, with some de-
,ree of certainty, that from that tune to the
ear 1912 inclusive, a period of twenty-siX
years, about one thousand and twenty-seven
inatriculated, and either partially or
wholly, received ttieir educations at this insti-
tuition, under the fostering care of a president,
who was as remarkable for his scientific attain
ments, as for his diguified and conciliatorydcport
ment and manners; and whose pride aud plea
sure 1T was to promote and advance the great
ends, for which the College of William and
Mary had been established.
Fortwo years after the death of this President,
so venerable and so highly revered, in cense-
quenCe of the war with Great Britain, and
other causes, not necessary 10 be here stated,
the College suffered 4 depression; but that de-
preston was merely temporary, for almost I'M
mediately after the present incumbent came
into office, 1T flourished TO a degree which trans
cends all former example. From the year 1914,
TO that of 1928, inclusive, a period of ten years,
about five hundred and siX-seven students, a.
veraglng more than ility-siX per annum, entered
the College; 4 number far exceeding the mean
proportion of any other series of ten years since
the year 1856: Notwithstanding the Governors
and Visitors for three years previous TO July.
1924, rcfrained from holding q meeting of their
body, while the entire management of the insti-
tuition, for that period, was left to the control of
ITS professors, ever Earring and quarreiling with
each other, or to that of its highly censurable
president, who, in conjunction with other MEM
bers OF the faculty, to CRAFTY the offended pride
OF one of their body for a supposed insult, and
FOR various other causes equally trivial, banish-
cd at different times, large numbers of students,
with feelings embitteit! against them. and
against the College, and with dispositions to cir
cuiate, and TO difiuse those impressions wlcr-
ever they went.
Considering this state of things, and the grow
ing prosperity of other literary Institutions in
Virginia, and her sister States, it cannot be de-
MED, but that William arsl.hIar,, for the ten
years before spoken Of, enjoyed her full share of
pubic patronage Your mernorialists feel them
selves bound TO state, that for the wear 1928.
there were forty-seycn students attending the
College, of whom fifteen graduated: a number
equal to the graduates of the eight preceding
years: and the rest of the students of that wear,
received from the faculty, honorable testimonials
OF their diligence and mental Improvement.
~ is rue, that, for two years past, the num-
Der OF students has decreased, when compared
with some of tue ten wears before referred to.
but the average, till the present year, is still above
that prior TO 1912; and the President himself
admits. that in the year 1928. the COLLEGE was
IN rs prosperous a condition as it had been Tor.
many wears; and oren sad that lie had no fears
from the JajueyS,fy.
Your memorialists are now convinced. thaf
the present diminished number of students is
OWING TO an opinion entertained, or, more pro-
perry, avowed by the Presidents, and some OF
the professors, and hitherto most industriouslv
by the sofTner, that the College could
not flourish at Williamsburg an opinion found
ed, or expressed, as your mernoriaiists believe.
more in prejudice, and in a desire for change.
inai IN any real inconvenience, or objection 10
the place OF location.
This opinion, combined with a hone Of in
creasng the fees of the professors BY a change
OF site, has been circulated with augmented az
Sl1IIItE " and haG tnT N,r tLnn o., -, - t
hehei, that the city of Richmond would be more
favorable 10 the views of the professors who
were inclined to a change. At Richmond, this
spirit has been fostercd: and being aided br the
PRESIDENTS support, and that Of two of the pro-
tessofS, INSTRUMENTATION was made TO excite
the citizens oleRichmond to Offer a oyea,i.h,
for the removal of the College from Williams
burg. Tins plan was so effected, that in July
last, at a meeting of the Visitors, the President.
IN making a report of the existing state of thinrs
at College, as became his duty, without assign.
ing the causes winch produced the apparent de-
can" oi The institution, at once boldly recon-
mended IT'S removal. and that removal TO Rich
inond. These proceedings elected a rcport
made by a committee nf tue Visitors, which has
been presented TO the public, and to which your
meme1alists advert, in order that 1t NAV be
thoroughly cangasscd by your honorable body.
Your mcmorialists are impressed with tbe
CONVICTIONS, that Il Il /WU taicnent of facts had
been presented to that committee, which IL was
Tue 6iRv OF the President 10 make, they would
'levcr have entertained the opiuicn. that the
Coilege was not in a prosperous condition.. in
tiie years 1929; since, it is believed, that thc
prosperity of any literary Institution OUGHT TO he
graduated, as well by the extent of tue attain
as by the nunfbcrof students who attend.
1T was determined by the Visitors al their
meeting IN July last. after filling five vacancies
IN their body, TO adjourn 10 The Goth of Noyen-
ocr' al winch time a meeting consisting OF four
teen out of nineteen qualified members, a vote
was taken on a resolution, which asks of vourI
body, the power 10 change the site.
WIN a view 10 a more extended diffusion of tbe
dement's of The institution, and the same was
by eight only out of the fourteen: evinc
ng 'iat though 1t was the sense of that meeting.
I IS far from being The opinion of the majority
81 that BODY. Upon this subject, yonr memo
''ai''ts thnk proper moreover to state. that thni
n"J'rity OF the Visitors at that meeting. CON
'sied OF tour members appointed in JULY last;
ma 'our old members; three of whom, are rrsi-
tents IN the city qf Richmond and its Immediate
icinitF, wii',' the minority consisted Of five old
Members, and one appoiOted at the period iustl
10; thus clearly demonstrating tl,a, oil
nc on members, "hO were acquainted wifi!
ne institutions, there was Il majort, in favor al
nc present location Of the COLLEGE. Your mr.
cannot forbear tie expression of tbcir
)eiIet- that the appointments in july were made
WIN an eve to this question, aud the ve,aueies
uPPlied "ith rcrsous whose opinions wc,e i,oa
,llcd TO ne yropi13us To a change. Your me.
noiIaist entertain the oriuiou, that a board 3
bus Constituted, in y matter cf such Jeco in =
crest. should not have made a final decision {