Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-07-01
REHNOND DAILY WIG.

ID. L.
REFORM AT THE UNIVERSITY or VIRGINIA.
The columns OF no~sp.per. have been for months
pss filed with writings Of the friend. Of Univepy
from their warmth would oppose the State and
the Union depended upon this "Chld Of Jefferson" for
the education Of tho rsng generation. In this interest dis
played for lie welfare. other institutions equay worthy Of
consideration and patronage have past unheeded they
could scarcely deserve when compared with "our
great Universi,y."
"Aumni Of tho University" "Fricnds." "studenis."
"Junuses Proeors aud Professors have al been seized
with manic for wrng aud there have been hosts Of Dun
Quxoes In the held ready their snces In defence
Of their Alma Mater aud swearing that tho hand Of i'm
provement every where felt. and exerng Its sau,sry in
haencs add to the cxessnee Of this institution
learning And ssserus thstthe Univcrisy perfect in
al is dspsrirnons lis intempersts ends have poured
their snsihemss most literally upon the heads c
hscng few who venture tuggyst ptopeiy Of max.
ing some alterations Lat arc obviously Necessary.
Knowing es we do that entertain more friend.
y feelings towards the University an ourselves we have
regretted TO notice the part acied BY many 10 admre
They anwllds 70 lsscn any change that might DO
made, and brand IL with the OF Vsndsiisrn Stool
tsh innSvailon," and the ike.
Now courss like this pronounce unfair--wel cal
culseo prevent any changes OF chsrscef desired By
many. The public whose Judgment and approval oil
arguments referred, scarcely place implicit reliance
upon tho siasmsn, Of those who unwilling that
word should be said BY except the rabd thorough sup
portsrs of the University a. il stands at present.
Now, whilst believe myself friend Of all Of our Col.
legss, and oil Educson and above oil. friend Of tho
University Of Virginia. say tina, willis,
with iu present regulations IL be prosperous
for any length Of time. aud that il tho duty Of the PEG.
pie Virginia. supporting il they do. with their money,
to require those possessing the power Investigate the
abuses that have crept in, and alter many Of the existing
laws and regulations In reviewing the history of the Uni
versy. we find s occasional prosperity cheekered by
unfortunate occurrences Of every kndoue Professor an
ornament 10 the State and pillar Of support 10
the Institution which he presided i. by the hand Of
Student; another Professor stabbing n Student and
member OF his class Of Incorporate passion
the sbest Professors that have had, In many in
stances ressning period even whea they becom
ing most useiu aud the Of tho some
times hreatened by the disgrace riots that have
ever occurred ut any any OF our Colleges. specific cru
meraon Of the disasters have attended its brief
career would DO uselsss oil having heard Of them at va
rious times when they have occurred.
After noticing the continued good order and
other Virginia Colleges for much longer peri
that Of the continuance Of the Univ,rsiy NATURAL
y led to seek for tho causes Of this singular difference
Il cannot arse from the numbers Of students. for Ysle
and Cambridge. averaging $780, have both
in nforcing good order. II any
difference in the character OF the Students for they have
been generally vginans the associates and companions
and counymen OF Students who have attended Washing
ton College, CT Hampden Sydney, conducting them.
selves with the strictest proprrey. What then, can be
the cause OF the misfounes OF the Universiy IL arises
believe from insufficient laws and discipline and from
that alone The Public need not. therefore, entertain the
idea that the young who Students the Unyer.
sity naturally vicious Others ard that moth
ing control hem-when the character Of young man
Is not prominently fixed, .reguated College will too
often give to his habits and disposition the unfortunate
turn.
Thus IL often happens at the University of Virginia
youth enters as student seventeen first IN discipline
insufficient. and becomes adept the dissipation OF the
pacc-sueh know be the from obsefya
ton during our stay at the University as student
Attic majority OF institutions OF rarnit the Profess
sors required prevent disorder 10 and b,ck
ata nj 4 ia al.
Of doing better than others from tho dignity their Off
and the respect which the student generally has for his
instructor IL Professors be kind, benevolent and n,e-
gent, they can always secure the aec ions
young men; when the Professors ,ningle the students
fnends and advisers, and ut all times msntain their
dignity the task OF regulating youth u delightful aud easy
the most stubborn disposition yields 10 persuasion and be-
comes iractable.
But when the student find. the Professor sort Of hired
caring nothing Tor him, and giving nothing
the OF lectures io which ne is paid
himself about his fate ast deciding
petty offence OF which he has been guilty. when
he with the assembled F.culty, except when
summoned culpIit beioe ihem is be suppos.
ed that lac for respects his Professor lie is
taught look upon them Iasknasters 10 whom he is
literary apprentice for given me but gratitude the
feeling OF the heart excited
bot le interest IN the support OF the institution. Those
who have been Sud the University, can draw what
inrenees they please from this depression from
the subject
At University there is mporian Mt error a, far a,
discipline Is concerned The duties usually assigned the
superior there given inferior officer The preycn-
ton OF disorder is gwen the PROCTOR subordinate whose
oifce 10 lar from beng popular The Proctor is
der IN Chief OF the University police, well patron
the Students furnsher Of candles, OF dirty
hotel tables, CUTTERS, aud woodples. This important
un.uonary Is required to prevent dordsrs at night, end
report the offenders TO the Faculty. The Professors
the appointment Of Poctor rarely ever interiors in the
and the control Of 1874 Students sometimes placed
la the hands VI the Proctor Now from the very nature
OF this gcufemans office, know that he can
erciss but little control with the Students. This does not
arse from the character either OF the present Of the for
mer ProcIors, al Of whom have been "honorablo meu"
but from the Students holding the office manner OF re-
spect. They either imagine that they afe or really are
superior generally In ae the Proctor and the
elpline Of The insuaiion Is efficient otherwise
would be IL the Proctors office was inspecor But IL too
often happens that the Proctor without assistance even If
he pshed IL cood choek tho disorder of institution
like the University The buildings sing uary
ranged that ons officer cannot possibly prevent disordey
acts in direction Knowing this occurred to
me that the Proctor seemed almost dspar Of maintain
leg ORDER and permitted the rioters often pass unpunsh.
ed. from being tho ground detect them Whilst
the houses of The Professors
ton Of the lawn and ranges eye of every ProeA
the PROCTOR the principal officer Of police lives dis
lance often too Tar TO hear the ordinary sounds Of dsspa
ton aud riot.
All Of these riots houses Of some ono or
more OF the Proessors, who, by assembling could fiom
the respect which the students supposed for
them, or from their numbers easily quell disturbance
before IL could extend increase
Now, other Of Learning proyerbia for
good order the faculty alone required check dist
snees. This seems to be their legitimate duty Young
unoeT their habits and edu
cation entrusted 10 them They paid for literally
and should therefore viganiy watch over the morals Of
the students Tty should exercise their DAusneo always
10 checking the OF YOUTH and the duty should
be given the Proctor whose duties are o another
kind. Let him inspect candles, wood rooms CUTTERS aud
take Of the JUnds Of the Students deemed
to have such officer, but keep him from ex-
ercising any further control the students The Pro.
fesor should alone be responsible for the conduct the
students, aud not the Proctor. They would be infinitely
readily obeycd and respected than either the Proctor
Postmaster, Janor or Bell Ringer Let every officer move
In his respective sphere and then harmony will here.
aor ensuc Let the discipline DO effective snd like
that at other Colleges and Universities, and then may
look upon our University with PRIDE Let the laws rela-
two TO tho discipline Of the Institution be altered then
our noble University will that influence which we
deyouty hope will bo extended the Smte-hen
ifs prosperity will be placed upon firm and lasting
bass Unless this be DONE there II mistake not year
oil gloom and misfortune still In store iOrit.
This power given the Proctor IT, we ars sorry 10 say
not tho only instance Of bad arrangement far the dis
cpne is concerned. There another serious fault which