Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-22

Tie tedCucf VI tleDfeW Language IN the lnStltu-
ton IN which he is Professor. Those who pro-
fess to know the extent of his acouiremen, pro-
nounce decidedly on his fitness 70 discharge the du-
ties of the Moral Chair, limited as has been sug-
gested, which 10 strongly fortified by the circum-
stance. that his dlscourses in the pulpit al
ways admired, and among other things, for the
neatness and the excellence of their composition.
He is understood TO be no bigot, but ardent and
Jealous promoter of the Religion of Christ, enter
tanning hrm persuasion that there is salvation for
man. out Of the pale of the Protestant Episcopal
Ian Church. Moreover, DIR. Wilmer is about
AZ, with considerable family, and has not disco
vered any of that kind of ambition which would
lead him to seek for new scenes on which exhib-
it himself; or to enter new schemes projects
which might put at hazard the total loss of an an
Gent and venerable Institution, for the purpose OF
endeavouring to build up new one that might
prevent the success of the University, without pro
noting the general interests OF Literature.
Thus the objection is wholly removed far as
il applies TO the Moral Chair. Let US see whether
inc objection has weight with regard to the
other Professorship. The grounds here relied on
are that the Professors salary would be bu, $3.50
whilst the Professors of Mathematics, and Chyms.
try, and Natural Philosophy receive $3.50, and
although he soai be entitled fees for attendance,
that these Professors are also entitled to fees, and
that he would feel degraded by accepting Office
where equal talents were required, when the COM
pensation allowed was much less To this it
may be answered, that thu. objection would hardly
arise with any one who was not in search OF OBJ
eclions, but that il would be removed with almost
every one, soon as all the facts were known
The salary of the Professor of Law is only $3.50;
he Professor OF Humanity receives only $500,
md the salary OF the Professor of Moral Philoso-
thy tooufd be only $500. The Professor of Poll
zeal Law, would then receive salary equal to
ne Professor of Law, and so per cent more than
ne other two Professors Just mentioned. But in
examining this question we must take into conslte-
Istion only the talents that required but the
extent of the services to be performed by the Pro-
lessons respectively in order to come a a correct
conclusion. Professor who lectured but once
during the would not be degraded by accept
ing lower salary than who leclured every
day during the course whatever might be the talents
required for the single lecture. The dutie. which
would rem ain to the Moral Chair are just one half
of the duties assigned to that Chair; SO that
the Professor of Moral Philosophy would per-
form for salary of $500 equal duties with the
Political Professor who would receive salary of
$3.50. The Law Course is much more extensive
than the Political Course would be, and the Pro-
lessor in that department, although his lectures
would close two months sooner, would expend
half much again time in lecturing as the Poi-
cal Professor. The Professor OF Humanity is en-
gagged from six to eight hours daily in teaching his
classes, and his Course continues two months be-
yond the course in the higher schools, whilst the
Political Professor would se engaged one hour
only every second day in lecturing, and that Tor
Course shorter by two months than the Course in
the school of Humanity. The Professor then
would stand higher grounds than three of the
other Professors. As TO the other two their Courses
of Lectures continue for the same time with The
Political Professor, much more extensive han
the Lectures the sciences proposed be assigned
to the Political Chair have been, and require that
each should lecture every day in the week, where
as the Political Professor, has been said, would
lecture only every second day.
2ndy, 1t is objected that the salary of $3.50 is
in itself too low 10 enable the College to obtain
fit person to fill the Chair The first observation
which may be made in reply is, that from the year
l7Ss to the present day, the Professor of Law has
never received greater salary than $3.50, and no
difficulty existed in obtaining fit Professor.
Indeed, when that great and good man, George
Wythe, filled the Chair, his salary did not at any
time, exceed 500. About The year 1870 or 81
Judge Tucker succeeded TO that Professorship at
the same salary, which was afterwards raised TO
$500. He succeeded by Judge William Nell
4 son: And Chancellor Nelson on the death Of Juds
w. Nelson appointed TO that Chair; the sala-
~ was afterwards in 1915 raised TO $3.50, and il
has been continued to the present Professor, Judge
I Semple, to this time. Bishop Madison, who filled
the Chairs both of Moral and Natural Philosophy
ceived for both Professorships only $500, and ne
yer received, to the day of his death, more than
$3.50. 1t is true that he President of the Col
lege at the same time, at salary OF about 5000,
and that as Chaplain he received s 100; but the
extent of his duties Professor were three times
as great those of the Professor of Political Law
would be. Doct. Smith accepted the Office oil
President and Professor of Moral Philosophy
when the salary of the Professor OF Moral Philoso-
ply, us believed, only 5000, and the duties
double the extent of those Of the Political PROBES
sor During period of 40 years. there has
been then, no difficulty in procuring fit Professor
OF Law, whilst the salary for by far the great
eT part of the time, much lower and never high
er, although the services of the Professor ere
more laborious, and the course much more extern
sve than that of the Professor of Political Law
Bishop Madison performed treble ibe services, for
many years, at a less and at no tine for higher
salary; and Doct Smith, for short time, per
formed double the services for less salary than
would be attached to the Political Chair. How
could it be doubted that Professor could now
be had for the Political Chair at salary Of $3.50
Again, it the nett annual income oil the members
Of the three learned professions be enqured into il
wouldbe found that very few receive in cash more
than the salary proposed to be given o this Proles
sor; and as the situation under consideration would
be highly respectable and the income certain we
ought not to doubt that almost any from either
OF the learned professions would be - iling TO ac-
cepi this Professorshp Indeed, two OF the pro-
LESSONS now overstocked, and is highly pro-
oabe that many from either Q. them would be
happy in having the opportunity OF Obtaining such
an establishment; and especially if he belonged TO
the bar, as he might possibly be admitted 10 prac
lice in the Chsncery Court in the City Of VIII
lamsburg. No dOubt vvhatever enterf,tued ~