Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-03
The EsEcsBhsssaees WhiS,
COMMUNICATIONS.
70 rmE Eprrows OF Inn WmG.

ihccfSHy ~ ' T1Byid, NdTcR ~olns
MCssrS. EdltorS:--Much has been SAID oil latcIn
your paper of the change mad. by the Visitors, at
their last meeting, and OF their recent appoint
ncnts of Professors. do not at all JOIN IN the
attack made them, their selections to I'LL the
then vacant Professional Chairs, believing as do,
that they are ably filled. Bat as to the other change
the creation of office, l do most heartily
wish the partIay and injustice of tho Visitors
manifested this occasion, exposed to public
view wish not to he understood as including all
of the Visitors, for | believe the many were ruid
cd by the few, and these few exercised their in
nucncc to advance the interest, not of the Unvcr
sty, bat OF their iavourites. The change to which
l aludc, has been mentioned too often to be re-
peatcd here; let MS them what followed this
change. In the first place, they turned out of the
Office OF Proctor, old and faithful servant of the
lnivcrsity-one who has ever discharged the duties
conhdcd to his care, as honouraby, as skiliully,
and as much to the benefit OF the University, as
any one could, and one, without whom, the Found
or himsclt, of the Institution, declared the con
struction of it could not have proceeded half so
Well FOR this, they have never assigncda reason,
though the advocates of tho measure, do for
thcm, and they offer old ago and it's consequences
The folly and absurdy of such assertion, was
truly proved by my friend, ''No Rcfo,mcr, in your
number OF the 9th inst. They then gave HIM this
new Office of Patron, with salary, entirely de-
pendant on the number of Students; arising as il
does, from percentage OF the amount of money
deposited i'll his hands by them: Il most cxtraordi-
nary and unjust law mcthinks, to deny Student
the privilege of keeping his money, and to
mako him pay tax, heavy tax, to an officer, to
Keep 1t for hm.-Again, the privileges which they
nave allowed him. were brought forward by the
opposite party, as ample rcParation for his dimi-
nsicd salary, and they were told Il am sorry then
knco not this bctOrc) that the Post Office, which
hey cnumcratc among the privileges, not vi
ven to the Patron, by the Board of Visitors, and
that the Post Office Department is not at all under
the control of their Honourabablc Body The
other mcstimable privilege is, to keep Book Store
III the University and to sell the books at a very
nrnt a..
Store, on such conditions, is not a desirable OBJ
Jcct Now let us look to the Office of Proctor
they havc.increased the salary of this Office, and
tlcy have diminished its duties; not cconom-
cal measure, think, the less iabour, the more pau
and quite an impolitc one, for the Treasury of the
institution not too amply filled, and very much in
debt. They have placed i'll it individual, quail
he'd perhaps for the Office, though his qualitica
tons have not yet made their appearance, and one
who will quell Gas Of tie Visitors erpressIy
%did) every disturbance, and make the Students
'HdHd IN Giaa Of him." Little indeed must they
know of the character of Southern Students if
they think, they can be deferred from the commits.
son OF an act by any man, because he is an Off
Ger OF the Police, or perhaps Il strong man;
know that the very idea of Il man being placed
over Students, to Brighten them by his great
strength INTO measures, tends to their spi-
rlt OF independence and impel them TO deeds that
otherwise would have been unthought of; and our
Proctor knows this, for as far as know, he wise
ly keeps within doors. l would not law so
NerSarieS had not III communication of recent
date, mentioned the physical strength of the Proc
TOR, as Il very high recommendation and wish to
let Them know, that that is not the strength to
succeed here. Some have said that the services of
an ndlvldual should not be regarded when the
welfare OF the University is at stake, bu: rather
that such persons should be employed as are best
qualified to perform the duties; amrcc with them
when the individual, who has rendered these ser |
wees, is entirely incapactatcd to perform well, his |
duty; hut leave ii to all who know any thing of
the subject, to say whether the University has |
Prospcrcd since this change; whether its affairs /
have been conducted better, than they were before
1t; whether as much general satisfaction has been
given TO all parics whether there has been as much
peace and harmony since, there existed before |
1t; and lastly whether the expenses of this session.
have not greatly exceeded those of the last.
think the Visitors, at their next meeting, will find
a dWcrcRcc in the aspect of things. Were the
People OF Virginia to know the true state of affairs
here, am confident they would cause a complete
reform, and place their University on footing it
so richly deserves; but they kept in ignorance,
us appears from some manGuvres during the last
session of the Legislature, which are too well
known, to he mentioned here. The very crcum-
stance OF their trying to put off an investigation
INTO their conduct, proves clearly, that something
had been done, which they would rather the pub
lie should remain ignorant of. The time will come
however, trust, when Justice shall have her sway,
and the University Of Virginia shall flourish
AN OBSERVER.