Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-12-25
For The Enquirer:
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
THE UNIVERSITY

The great interest now manifested py 'n'
community on the subject OF education IN gene
raj. affords some ground 10 hope, that The uhl
versiy its regulations, and the conducl OF J"
officers will undergo that rigid examination an'
that thorough investigation by the Legislature
demanded BY The necessity OF The case. 10 e1
PLANTATION offered By the most ingenious casu's's
or plausible apology from lis greatest ltiena,
or yeriest parZans, can cover Inc great ",'i
that stands oui in bold relief 10 De read py INT
world TINT all things eonneclea 'ciA Me
are not as then oughtto be. TINS question NUS
be met There is no lodging or shifting The re-
snonsibility 10 future day. The lime has come
when the causes Of her bad health and decline
mus, be rigidly examined into ana Inc remedy
apnlied or The University that noble monument
of Jefferson, The ornament Of Virginia, must SINK
beneath the level Of The most ordinary inslilu
lions OF learning. Bethany College, now IN ne .
G,urlh session. numbers 10 students, Whilst 'he
University, that has been 10 operation tweh'y-ohe
wears numbers about 1870 The former cost
40 0oo whilst The lauer cost S350,000 When
/ il is seen that not only Bethany College, out
every other little upstart collcge-the creature
Of circumstances the Thing Of day-ontnumbcrs
The University, is il moi written as with sun
beam that something is wrong!
Il By The shades Of Jeierson--n the name OF
1 The holy cause OF educaton-ln the name OF Inc
whole STATE of Virginia, ] conlnre every man
who has come 10 the Capitol of Virginia, as a
legislator. TO interest himself in behalf OF this,
our great institution Of learning put himself ~
possession Of the facts connected with her histo.
rs and present existence in all departments and
trust no longer 10 reports from Committees on
Schools and Colleges or The report oil Vister>;
thai he NAV understand how he ought 10 act in
his crisis; thai he may speak out for himself, and
propose snch measures Of reform as hr may think
best The following general points should be an
swered 10 The satisfaction Of every one, for sim-
sdf.
/ Should not the number Of Visitors be en-
arsed corresponding 10 the number CT represen-
tarves in Congress, and Vsi;cr be chosen from
each Congressional District in the State J
, Should not these Vislers be chosen by the
Legislature instead of being appointed By the
Governor land should not men be chosen, IA
lher with reference 10 their adaptation Tor such
an office, rather than because they are public
men and po,itic,ans-seeins that politicians are
olientimes less informed on matters OF ednca-
lion than any other class Of intelligent citizens?
g Should there not be some lead 10 the Cniyer-
silv, in the person OF a President
l. Can good reason be assigned why Pro-
leSsor in the University of Virginia, who has
heretofore sometimes been taken from the ordina-
~ members Of The bar, from among The regular
practitioners ct medicine or appointed as such
in year or two after graduating at the Univer-
si;y, should have larger salary than the army
and navy officers, or even the United States
Judges
s. And if not, should not the salaries of the
Professors be yedaesd 5y diminishing their tuition
teea, rather than Stale salaries?
e. Should not The Chaplaincy be abolished,
seeing that it gives 10 The University seciarian
character, in establishing a quadIansular favor.
ilism, the eby offending many more relisionisis
than ii conciaies7
T. Should not an enquiry be made, whether
distinguished citizen of Virginia was refused the
use OF the rotunda in Nov. 1929 because he be-
longed not 10 one of The four favored denomina-
tons thereby showing clearly, The seciarian ten
deney Of a Caap}oiatv2 And also, what good
results from the Chaplain, since charlottesville
i Just Que mile distant where all sorts OF preach
ers can be found
s. Should not he qualifications necessary 10
an admission into The University be raised, 50
as to admit those only who are prepared 10 de-
rive advantages from the lectures a nd 10 have III
the necessary information on this subject, should
not committee be appointed TO ascertain how
many Students after joining the University and
attending lectures for months, have been unable
10 pass a plain examination in English, during
the last ten years. Erery leGy Mcre are many.
O. Should not the salaries OF all the officers be
put as low as possible?
10. Are there not several officers about The in
s,i,ulon who might be dispensed wiIhl
The interest OF the State and The good o! the
University demand The pruning knife II College
reform. A FRleSD TO THE UNIVERSITY.