Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-18
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.


Gentlemen: The character OF an editoria pa
ra.raph in the Wing Of Yesterday, headed The
University" compels me, through your columns
TO throw the whole matter which induced that r.
tcle before the public, in order that il may BE-
seen what sort Of feeling il is which prompts The
assaults of that paper against the University.
In the Wing of last Tuesday, The Editors re-
quesed the name Of a correspondent purponing tc
be student, who offered reply 10 the communi.
cation Of "Junius," in the Enquirer OF the week
previous, as preliminary TO the publication Of
the article; and, at the same time, they called &C.
morally for information respecting the duties and
responsibilities oft Proctor" For The purpose
OF furnishing the Editors with The best iniorma.
ton upon that subject, and also 10 prevent dis
cus>ion bv students in the public newspapers
which was likely to result in no good, at once
addressed private letter 10 them, in as nearly
the same words as the following, SO far as my me-
mory can serve me; for | KEEP; no copy, and ex-
pectcd never again 10 hear from il.
"UHIvERsITY or VIRGINIA.
"March 18th, 1915.
"Ia Tic Editors ef The II. Wh,g:
"Genllemen In your paper which reached
this place this morning, | notice your call Tor
information respecting the duties and response
bilies of the Proctor; and, as the means Of
supplying you with the best and fullest lnior-
nation upon that subject, | send 10 you, BY
the same mail, copy Of the enactments and
regulations of .he University From these re-
sulations, you will find that the office of Proctor
is no snccure, and tina, there is much more 0diHm
than poarr attached 10 it. As 10 the emolumen,s
and overgrown power of the Proctor, Gas one Of
your correspondents has attempted 10 represent
ill., it will be sufficient re!utaton with you or
any other reasonable man, 10 be informed, that
the present arrangements upon this point are The
result of sheer experiment, and that after an ex-
rericncc and service Of nine years, the present
incumbent has made up his mind, at the close OF
The present session. 10 exchange his situation iGr
that Of hotel keeper, (Which lihen be vacaied.)
as more lucrative, more comfortable, and by far
less onerous or odiouS.
''Pcrmir me TO suggest, that The character OF
some OF the communications which have recent
" been. and (as learn from yonr remarks are
now being made through The public papers, is cal
cuiatcd TO do serious ham, without the compen-
sa,on of one particle OF good. II, in The recent
attacks which have been made upon the UEivcr
stv or lis officers The cause Of education or the
public good be the ohJecs-ii patriotism or any
other high moral principle be the motive-then,
the appointment O! an intelligent impartial and
independent Committee, by The Executive or The
Legislature. authorized 10 make the most scru-
linizing investigation into the condition OF the
University, in all lis departments and relations
will be The best and most efficient means OF at
tanning those ends The authorities and friends
Of the University most anxously court such an
investigations and, while they Will not shrink
FROM they would at the same time deprccate, as
Taught with mischief, all assaults and invcsti-
cations Of less intelligent and impartial cha
racier. For, you yourselves must have al
h,l linn op IN
with how much unlaiIness and imperiecness
ANONYMOUS correspondents and whispering in
lurnanis make their communications, and how
enormously they will represent facts. For in
stance your Charlottesville correspondent is at
this time student ofihe University, who has al
WAYS stood well with his Professors and all con-
necled with the institution; and yet in his zeal TO
correct Your errors, he has himself been guilty of
committing others, in 4 letter never intended 10
see the light and whom you have placed, by the
publication ol il, in most uncomfortable situa-
ton. The writer, under the signature OF "Ju-
Mus" in the Enquirer, is also student, who,
with kind feelings for The University, was actua.
ted more, perhaps, 10 see his eiiusions in Print,
than from any other consideration, but who has
committed iolies and intersections calculated to
inju.e and 10 wound; bu, who may readily be par
doned, as soon as The age and circumstances Of
nication. Won have reply from another student,
again. OPEN your paper, my dear sirs, 10 such
cor respondents, and where will their disputes
endl And what benefit is likely to result from
il? For, il truth be their object, VIVA. do they
know about the mater!
Trusting then, gentlemen, that yen will at
once see the improperly and worse than useless
ness of throwing open your columns TO students
mere boys-for the purpose Of discussing The
merits oil Professors and the character Of, the Uni
versiy and that possible harm without any posi-
bic good will be the only consequence, am, very
respectfully, Your otedient servant,
NV. H. WOODLEY,
proctor, u. of Va.
"Notc-Ofcourse do not design this letter for
publication. W. Fl. W."
This letter called forth The following comments
from the Wing:
1.-THE UNIVERSITY.
awe have received from This quarter letter from
certain person, which, for its arrogance and sefcoh-
ceit well 70 be exposed. We respect how :vrr
confidence though thrust upon us, and forbear. He
will permit us, we hope, 10 shape own course
without any dctaun from him, aud borlow lights 10
guide ns in IT, from such sources as may choose 10
eonfiIe in. In doing so, We shall not consult him at
least nor his present POSITION that other position
whice he seems TO think he may hereafter occupy. We
will submit schooling whatever from that pers0-
mage either The interests Of the University Of Vr-
pinia and the Commonwealth, or npon any other sub
j.ct We are accustomed, when We feel in need Of
udyce 10 SELECT advisers and If rot compete nj 10
steer our own course, will certainly claim the
privilege OF choon. hose who shall direct in il.
1--WE had no doubt. before were Informed hy him,
that he knew who 'Junius' was, and a. little who IL
was that ns.igated him 10 the task he attempted
eve ask Tor the real name Of "A Citizen vi Abe
MARIE and we hope the author will indulge with
IT, as we hold his communication 10 be Of much public
interest"
1t may be proper 10 say, tina, if could have
INDUCED The remo,est suspicion that any thing
would occur 10 render necessary the publication
of the above letter, would have iorborne 10 make
any allusion to any future private arrangements
OF my own; and that would have modified OF
withheld some expressions contained in it,
AS TO the insinuation that wrote, or instigated
another to write, the article under the signature
of "Junius,' cannot suspect that any homes
man, with my letter before him, can believe it to
a moment.
BY publishing the above, gentlemen, you viii
confer favor on Your obedient servant,
w. Fl. WOODLEY.
University Of Va, March Is, ls45.
coincidence respected.
dDpoiniurnE hu fhs Gorernoy nj V;poin;o