The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-05
A Professor in william and Mary OH
the Gniyer sity Bill.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va, February l, 1876.

W WILLIAMSBURG, VA, L coTuiTy L, 1910.
Editors Dispatch : As professor in one
Of the colleges of the State I ask that you
will allow me space in your paper to give
expression to 4 few changes which, in my
opinion, would be of importance to the coll
leges IN the present bill before the Legisa-
ture to increase the annual appropriation to
the University, and which would not ope.
rate against the latter.
First, however, must say that | consider
the University as the cap-stone Of our educa-
tional system, and as Of far more importance
than any of the colleges and so we'll assured
am of the desire OF the present professors
to keep it above any competition with the
colleges as bidder for students that were
they to remain there forever l would adyo.
cate granting them all they ask without 9'sy
conditions attached thereto.
But as this cannot be SO, such Legislation
should accompany the grant as would per-
manently elevate the University above The
colleges and keep from her halls that large
class which should never go there without
proper preparation. The bill, think, should
exclude all Under eighteen years Of age is
well as admitting all over, free of tuition.
Then, how should these be receiVedS Why,
by adopting the German rule. Let our State
colleges, as the gymnasia OF Germany DO,
give letters Of proficiency to such students
as are ft 10 enter the University, and let
these alone be received there ia ee of tuition.
Preparatory examinations for admission at
the University for those applying will not
do. They might be but shams should the
present faculty die or resign. The colleges
would then prepare boys for higher lnstruc-
ton, and thereby elevate their own stand
ard and the anus Of free tuition to the un-
deserving would be removed from the Uni
versity. By adopting this plan the qualitica-
ton as to age even would be unnecessary.
Another good. result would follow this
plan-viz all so.called or bogus universities
in the State would be done away with, as no
one would pay to go to school when they
could get equally as good tuition free. This
would give US one good, real Jetersonldn
university, free to all who gave evidence OF
merit. The colleges would prosper better
tnan ever before, and would be better sup
ported. Each would vie with the other in
sending forward young men tit to illustrate
the merit Of their teachings, and they (the col
leges) would be checked from attempting that
mushroom growth into ahalf-fedged univer-
sity, to which there has been such strong
tendency of late. In 1870 advocated con-
yention of the colleges and the only Usi-
versity of Virginia to give life to this idea:
and last year some such plan, though in an
other form, was alluded to in the transactions
of the Educational Society of Virginia, but
nothing has come of it. Let the colleges put
down peg and attempt to advance no
farther, aud let the University be the one
grand, final school to receive all who have
passed through collegiate course with fair
promise of success in attempting the higher
branches. Give all and more to the University
than she asks, and let only those recomnlendea
,byhe colleges go there free Of tuition. The
cJlieges will thus have 81 high prize 10 extend
to ali who pass their examinations worthily,
and the University wiIl'be made Independent
not only without doing injury to any OF the
colleges, but they will all be thereby greatly
aided, as will the cause OF education through
cat the entire State.
Hoping you will publish these few ideas, so
badly thrown together. am, &c,
RICHARD A. WISE,
Professor of Chemistry, William and Mary
College.