The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-27
The Medical College iiuddie.

10 the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Ii was a matter OF much surprise and re-
eret TO the friends Of the Medical College
to read in your issue OF Saturday state
mcnt that our illustIious Governor had ap-
pointed new Board Of Visitors for the
college, and that next Friday they
would proceed to elect new corps Of pro-
fcssOrs. Your informant profcssed the
knowledge 10 say in advance who would
fill the chairs. 1t is customary when chairs
are vacant 10 advertise the fact and in
vitc applicants, but "our informant pre-
fcrred a shorter method. and was disposed
to save the Board this delay and all trouble
whatever.
| am clad that four Of the present facul-
ty. who had been spared 10y the new Visit
ors Though they are all minors TO the othcl
mcmbcrs), in>tinctivcly rcpudiatcd such
mean dcsertion Of their fcllow-profcss
and declare they are not willing to lend
themselves to such radical and illegal legis-
lation. What the late Legislature failed to
do. the Governor proposes at this most in
auspiciOus time to undertake. The session
is about TO open. 1t has in the face OF great
odds been heightened. Medicine is not
now what il was twenty-five years ago. IL
requires LONGER time to teach it. In order
10 succeed some colleges have offered free
tuition and almost certain graduationS to
students from all the States. Ii required
true courage in thi, state Of Generalization
for our college to hold on 10 its fees and
also lengthcn the courses. But 1t has been
bfaycv done. II has also agreed, and The
Arrangement. have been made, to offer
to forty poor worthy young men OF this
state free lectures. With these facts put
before the public through your journal
and others, whence comes this sudden
assault upon the college! &" Some enemy
hath done it," Like the person referred
TO in the Gospel, the enemy has worked IN
thc dark. II was done at night. Who did
itY Not the new Board They have not
met and considered the subject. Not the
nrcscnt facultvl Men don't Kill them
selves in body. The dean and Oldest, II
not the ablost. member Of the faculty j. ab-
sent and ignorant Of all this. II Is OF the
Boss. or through the Boss. II looks like
him. II smells like him. He wants to
make a few votes by November Will the
Governor enlighten the public! VIII he be
as reticcnt As in the penitentiary mudGle
I called attention some months ago in the
state to the necessity OF the city aiding the
College Hospital. Medicine is an art aS
well as a science, and must betaught ut the
bedside. Practical medicine can't be
taught anywhere else. But will the city
aid this Radical crew? "The Retreat for
fine Sick" is referred to in the article in The
DiSDatch. The Retreat" has the pluck
TO take care OF itself, and ! think it will
succeed. The noble women at the head OF
il will not let it die. Ii is great blessing
TO the city. and in nowise conflicts with
the College Hospital.
The Retreat does all the charity II can.
Rnt neither city nor State aids it. Don't
mention the "S200." 1t is a DISGRACE
hone. in conclusion, the past faculty Will
not submit TO the outrage the Governor
nroposes to pcrpetrate. have no idea
tbof Dr. Claiborne, OF Petersburg, will be a
Marty 10 such a scheme. and am sorry that
III m The gentlemen mentioned as OF the new
faculty have not followed the example OF
fine four professors in their card OF Satur-
day last. know them all personally.
/ have no connection, and never eXpect
or desire to have, with the college, but
have practiced medicine for a quarter OF q
century by her authority. and can Dut ieel
an interest IN her prosperity. VI. ID.
September %, 1882.