The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-10
s,,,. E,I,reasIon.

Il
the n,rt of the State TO make liberal provi
sion for the education Of her sons in th'
higher branches of learning, Doth academic
and professional. It Is not SURPRISING tna
Thomas Jefferson, the author OF tie Declara
| ton of Independence, and one of Lde cnie
architects of the American Govern ment
should have directed the fuct that ne wae' tns
founder of the University Of Virginia to De
inscribed on bis tombstone as one of hii
highest donors. 1t was planned with liberal
and far.reaching views, and erected and put
into operation with excellent taste and sound
| judgment. 1t was designed to be central
seat OF learning of the first order, supported
by academies and colleges throughout the
State. The scheme was magnificent, worthy
of its illustrious author and Of the noble
State that furnished the means for its partial
accomplishment.
| What is the present aspect Of advanced ed
ucation 10 Virginia! The Jeffersonian plan
of central university, supported by pre-
paratory schools. has been abandoned for
the purpose OF fostering three sectional and
rival institutions. We have the University
at Charlottesville, the Military Institute at
Lexington, and the Agricultural College at
Blacksburg. These institutions are support
ed almost entirely by taxes imposed on the
property of the impoverished and burdened
people of the State. The result of this un-
wise distribution OF its educational funds is
precisely what might be expected. Each in
stitution is struggling for existence and all
are in q state of, perhaps, unlntentional but
still of real rivalry. The University lam
cuisines under debt of $4,000; the Mill
tary Institute c|amors for an appropriation /;
and the Agricultural College, endowed by a
q L. Il hn Ipit tpfn
lnent, begins its applications for share Of
the State treasure with a modest appeal for
several thousands OF dollars. Under this
system Of scattering the educational re-
sources of the Commonwealth for the pro-
motion of higher education nothing re-
mains for these institutions but want, strug-
Cling, rivalry, and weakness, and for the pee
pie but perpetual taxation.
The remedy for this evil is simple, easy,
equitable, and efficacious. Let the State
concentrate its means for higher educational
purposes. and the work is accomplished.
One university can furnish ample provision
in literature, arts, science, and the proEes.
sions. for all the students Of the State and all
who can be drawn to it from other Safes
Nor is this all. One institution can give the
instruction better, more cheaply, and more
mau knows vino is moderately Informed on
educational subjects. The means expended
in maintaining three institutions In feeble
and unsatisfactory condition would abun-
dainty support grand and thoroughly
| equipped university.
Which Of the institutions should be pre-
ferred and supported: We would say
the University. 1t is the oldest, best equip
ped, most convenient, has rendered the most
service, has the highest reputation, and IS
the most firmly entrenched in the affections
of the people Of all the State institutions.
It's association with the name and fame of
Jefferson entities it to the preference. So
fully are we convinced that sound policy
the best educational interests of the State
demand the concentration of resources on
single institution that we should deem it
a fortunate event if that object were secured
by the entire obitcrstion OF the existing
institutions with all their endowments.
How much less would it not cost to found ard
support one good institution than to main
tain three in feeble aud uncertain existence
for half century, to say nothing OF the
ages to follow!
We have no hope of the early consumma.
ton of this Plan. The Legislature, even if
convinced of its wisdom, would scarcely feel
at liberty to make so radical a change. Sec
tlonal interests sway the votes OF too large
portion OF it to leave any ground TO expect
that bill cmbodying this scheme would re-
ceiye immediate support. Still, we cannot
but hope that statesmen, with enlarged
views, and looking to the future welfare OF
the State, and patriots, willing to sacrifice
sectional and partial advantages for perma'
nent public good, will perceive the great
importance of the plan, commend it to gen.
eral attention, defend it against the ohJec.
tons OF its oppoSers, and secure the graft
tude Of posterity by securing It's ultimate
adoption.
Our chief reliance for the success of the
scheme rests on the taxpayers. Let the
people of Virginia, tEen, understand that
in addition TO their other burdens they are
Annually taxed to support three educational
institutions to do imperfcctly what might be
better done, and at much less cost, by one.
We arc not opposed to taxation for the main
tenance of a university of hign order. We
approve il, desire it, and cbeerfully bear it;
but against being taxed to support three,
without necessity, without advantage, and
contrary TO the best interests Of education,
we protest. If, however, the people of Vir-
ginia choose to bear the burden, we can en-
dure it AS we'll as the rest OF them. We
a Vlrginian, and are willing to share in all
the burdens imposed by legislation; but we
cannot forego the privilege Of bearing our
testimony against SO unWisc and oppressive
a measure.
II anybody should suppose that in our
re marks We are actuated by hostility to any
of our institutions of learning he will be
greatly deceived. We are friends of educa'
ton Of every grade. If the Legislature must
continue TO pursue its present unWlse, eX.
pensve, and inefficient system for The pro-
motion of the higher; branches Of education
it shall have our feeble support, and We will
rejoice in the good that it may accomplish,
still believing that there is q better way.
J. 3. JETER.
Richmond. Va. February 8. 1876.