The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-10-05
The Richmond Middle.

n0
When the Readiusters gained control of Vir-
gnia and announced that they intended to
thoroughly reorganize all of the public insti-
tutions which the Commonwealth was taxed
to support, a howl of horror and Indignation
went up from those who had lived and fattened
upon the State for years. 1t was proclaimed
that none but they who had Heretofore con-
trolled these institutions were capable OF man
aging them anG that any action looking to a
change would result in disaster to the insti
tutions, and untold injury to the immediate
beneficiaries of the States charity, and to
those who were less directly benefited. But
the changes were made, nevertheless, and we
conscientbusly believe that each and every
one was II change for the better. These insti-
tutons needed an uprooting from the very
ground. They had been run in the same old
rut year in and year outunti those in charge
of them became Indifferent to the power that
had placed them there, and regarding them
selves as permanent fixtures, paid more at
tention to the regularity with which they
drew their salaries, than to the Improvement
and advancement of the trusts confded to
them. The Virginia Medical College at Rich
mond was one of those institutions. 1t had
been falling into disrepute for several years.
Last winter a bill for its reorganization was
prepared in the legislature, and some of the
flinders. were willing to aid in its passage.
but the party cry was raised, the funders sue
cumbed, and enough of the weak necd read
iusters were found to defeat the measure
Afterwards, Governor Cameron believing that
he had the legal authority, appointed new
Board of Visitors, and delegated them 10 take
charge of the institution. The condition of the
college and the disposition made of the funds
dedicated to it were unknown. For eleven
years no report had been made to the Second
Auditor, although the law required that there
should be n yearly report, showing the con-
dltion of the institution and the disbursement
of the funds including an neutrality-suspicious.
of $500 made 10y the State. What the new
Board had to encounter when it attempted to
perform its duty is reported in the account
which we publish elsewhere. The statement
of DIR. Manson, taken from the Richmond
Disgutch, will also prove interesting rea ding.
But there are facts, which we learn from re-
liable sources, as strong as those stated by DR..
Manson, and We willmention one These. They
go to prove that the affairs of the college have
been grossly msmanaged; That partizan pref
udces and private Jealouses have been al
lowed to usurp the place of an honest effort
to faithfully administer the trust. and that the
controlling idea with the faculty has been, not
so much to accomplish the object for which
the institution was founded, as to crafty in
dvidual spites. Not great while ago one of
the buildings connected with the college and
originally designed for an lnfrmary, but long
unused for that purpose, was taken in charge
by the ladies of Richmond and turned into a
Retre for the sick Dr. Hunter Mcclure,
one of the most eminent physicians in the
South, was placed iii charge of the Retreat,
and the ladies of the different religious denom-
nations We'd with each other in their efforts
to render each special department perfect in
all its appointments. When kind hearted,
benevolent women set to work good will be
accomplished. Under the intelligent director |
an enviable reputation, and hundreds of the
wealthy as well as the INDECENT sought relief
within its walls. Whilst not in competition |
with, it overshadowed the college, and excited |
the jealousy Of the faculty. AS a means of
gripping i, they demanded q return of the
building. And thus it was that matters stood, |
when the new Board of Visitors attempted to |
take possession.
One of the first acts of the incoming Board |
was to retain the Retreat in the hands of those
who had made it a success, and it will not be |
long ere the college will be turned over 10
those who will bring it out of the ruts in
which it has been run and make it an institu-
ton worthy of the support Of the state.
The calmness with which the Board acted
is in every way commendable. To have Gre
ated confusion ut the very commencement of
the session, by turning out the present fac
ulty, would haye been apt to have injured the
institution, as number of students were Just
ready to matricuate. Later in the session the
present faculty may be dispensed with and
| those placed in charge who will redeem the
reputation of the college.
| The calm judgment of The people ire
spcctivc of party will commend the conserv-
atsm of the new Board, as warmly as they
condemn the action of the Dean.
|