Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-23
FoR THE WHiG.

To the Visitors of the University of Virginia.
Gentlemen:-The nature and character of the uni
form law having been considered in previous commun
cation / come to the consideration of the mo-
ney law and patrons commission. This law requires
every student, the time of his matrculaon to depo
sit with the proctor all the funds he may have in his
possession, and to do the same with those he may
ceive during the session. Upon all the money thus de-
posted the proctor is authorized to take two per cent
commission, which has received, in the ute-book,
the title of Patrons Commission" To who is
ignorant of the facility with which Student of the
University can obtain credit in any of the stores in
CHARLOTTESVILLE this law will appear to be one of most
salutary nature and well-qualed its appa-
rent object But experiment the means for testing the
utility of any particular law has shown very clearly
that the object for which appears to have been enoced
entirely defeated, and in no manner whateyer docs
tend to lessen the expenses of the student This being
ncontrovcrble fact and the operation of the law
still continuing, forced to ask ourselves, if
dmnution of the Students expenses be its real OBJ
iect, and what other good purposes does it answer
since does tend to shut the door to vice Its real
object began to suspect, when discovered to what
purposes the commissions upon the deposits were ap
Piled and that the law not enacted much for the
students benefit, be the means of compelling him
to defray part of the expense the University ndrvd
uay would otherwise have to incur to keep proctor
and hence the commission arising from the money thus
deposited, would be properly called commission
to nav proctors salary. That it is reasonable to sup
pose this to be the true object of the law is evident
from the fact that the proctor Is employed by you at
stated salary which, if the commission upon the money
deposited during the session. by the students collective
1y is not sufficient to pay, you have to make good
the balance. But the principle upon winch this law is
founded would be Objectionable, had it not ap
pended to another enactment passed at of your
late sessions This additional enactment requires from
the student ut the close of the session. written de-
aration that he has deposited with the proctor all the
monies he has received during the session, excepting
such as he may have kept back upon which the proc
tor takes per cent? and in he should refuse to
make such declaration, the proctor shall demand and
take from him much as, together with the COMMAS
sion actually deposited, will make the sum of 800
Il more harsh and ill-advised law never was enacted
The student his matrcuaton, declares that he hat
deposited I'm the proctors hands all the funds at his
troul and will do the with those he may receive
durinp the session. What MORE to ensure compli
ancc with the laws ought have you right to expec
from them7 What possible reason have you to expect
much less demand, ia conravention of the spirit
our institutions spposing them to be guilty of viola
ion Of that particular law, acknowledgment Of then
ruiI7 Why not too, at thc close OF the session, do
mand like declaration that they have conformed t.
other laws OF the College, violation Of which, mor
materially affects their good In other instance
in the government of the University, is student boun
by the enactments TO acknowledge his violation of
OF it's awg and when arragned before the faculty,
does belong to him 10 prove declare his unoccnc
TO shield him from punishment but to the faculty ii
the first instance to chew his guilt Another consider
alton showing the impolicy of the law, and which,
doubt weighs much with young in preventin
them from becoming members of that institution, is tn
direct terms in which upoaehes their word and doubt
,l,c;r honor They, on their matricuation, pTomis
md declare to abide by all the laws Of the institution
l1t notwithstanding this promise, you have declared
m This enactment that you have not confidence tuf
lent in their word and honor TO believe IN "faIthfu
compliance" on their part, with the enactents reqllr
ing them 70 Sspost tsiz fcn5s With the P-octcE nlss
they give -Eten osclaTatlon a. I9 CLOGS U us 90
sion, that they have done
Having explained the nature Of this aTs o5lo SHOWN
ss hope, rs injustice / cannot conclude WI5hoUt en-
desvourng to point out farther the injurious oonseqush