Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-30

When the institution fist went into operation,
each professor had 81 $40 from the Stale, the re.
gulallon being, that eaci professor appointed at
Ter the original professors, should have 81, 000.-
George Tucker, the astpft the original professors,
has resigned his chair. Then, instead of the
States paying $l3,5Oo p The professors, j, pays
only Sc, 900, thus saving $500 annually IT,
them the annual Appropriation OF $4,000 he
made, and $500 be diminished from The States
expenses. why not abolish this tax OF $40 on
each student, for the US. OF the library! ii this
were abolished, the institution would now have
annually $4,000 more nan in the beginning OF
its career when each professor received 81 500.
The second thing 10 Lessen the annual expenses
Of IA student is TO curuil the professors lees
This can be done without the slightest injury TO
the institution, crct prObiHy but certainly 10 lis
advantage, whilst there will be more youths edu-
Gated; thus benettins III. State, beyond all caicu-
lation lake an interest in every College de-
signed TO enlishten and expand the human mind,
wherever il may be located; but take more par
ticular interest in our own Stale University, than
in institutions OF other States. From my ac-
ouaintance and intercourse with the people oi va
rious sections, have seen frequent cases where
noble, hishmnded and generous youths OF our
State were compelled 10 go to our Northern or
Western Colleges, because they could not incur
the expense OF the University Then curtal The
rfycnses, cricnd he fGcunicS Of education, and no
fears need be entertained tina, our institution will
be deserted. But what reduction ought 10 be
made? III least 10 doilars Let The tee OF the
professor he Is dollars, instead of 25 dollars. and
let the student pay As dollars instead oil IS dollars.
Let no friend othe University be startled, and say,
men o. talents cannot be induced TO accept
proiessorship. No: Twill show that such cannot be
The result. Even in The present depressed condition
of the University, The classes generally exceed MY
students. II lie class was no more than 50 The
Professors fees would amount 10 $3.50, thus max.
ing his salary with the $1,000 from the Staie)
$3.50 per session.
In French colleges, The professors have gene
rally rom 4UU ~ QUO dollars D--:-i~ 'L:.. hoo
are some advantages which they ENJOY that
make up rather more. Fisk, in speaking OF the
University Of Paris says, 'lhc salaries are pro
porioned, 10 some extent, according 10 the mum
Der OF students; The highest that | have noticed
is 1000 francs, or about 1851 dollars Here,
then, the learned professors OF Paris, receive
only ,3s7 dollars. The professor in any depart
ment OF our University, il the fees were reduced
wouldrecei $50 dollars, besides comfortable
dwelling for his family with garden and other
necessary appen!ases. This salary being f1cd
and certain. as long rs he conducted himself with
propriely, woudbe amply sufficient.
No one looks upon the business OF teaching
with more respect than The writer OF this
Teachers of all grades, from Inc professor IN inc
highest college, 10 The humble teacher OF youth IN
our common schools, should be repuied an honor
able order. But whilst look upon them with all
respect and think them worthy Of the highest
honor, | would not place them above all others.
The profession OF law is quite as honorable and
respectable, and should be as profitable; yet the
average salary for the district Judges OF The
United States is 81, $50. The professors OF ma
thematcs in the naval schools Of the United States
receive 81 200. The salary hathe professors OF
the University would receive, il the fees were re-
duced, would be found to be equally as good as
The officers Of navy and army receive taking into
consideration the grades
Ii has been shown that, admitting the professor
would have only n moderate class, his salary
would be amply sufficient, comparing it with the
professors of France, and the honorable profess
sons OF our own country. But there must, in
deed, be some radical defect in the man, or his
'eaching, it, after several years experience, pro-
fessor in our University cannot command more
than 50 Students in his class. The lamented
Bonnycaste, from his fame as mathematician,
had in his class, al some times, even under The
present exorbilant charges, as high as lao stu
dents The class Of the celebrated Emmett was
little smaller.
ANY man. then, who is competent, if he pursue
the proper plan in his teaching, and demean him.
self with proprety, if placed in professors
chair in The University OF Virginia. Git may be
ancient or modern languages even,) will have
class largely over so, the institution being IN
der wise and rational system OF arrangement.
A man with this salary Of lG or 100 dollars,
not TOO exoIbitant, and yet enough would have
stronger inducements 10 qualify himself more
thoroughly not only in acquiring more intorma-
ton but in learning 10 mpart more successfully
than under the present system Of charges where
the salary is 100 great / am aware that this pro-
position will meet with some opposition, but
some move at reforming the institution in every
respect and this in particular, is absolutely re-
q,.ircd, or our noble institution of learning must
remain a monument OF the folly Of State pride,
and see herself ou,stripped by many more youth
full colleges, erected at not one fourth the expense
A FRIEND TO TIE UNIVERSITY.