The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-03
SELECTING UNIVERSITY PRO
FESsORS.

SELECTING UNIVERSITY PRO
FESsORS.
The postponement of the compile
tion of the university building was
the first step which threw disorder
idto the prospective organization of
the university. The proposition, as
we have shown, to open the institu-
tion in January, if carried into effect,
would be attended with disaster to
the reputation of the university,
since all first class professors are en-
gagged for the succeeding twelve
months, and ordinary educators,
with necessarily Insignificant classes,
beginning at a period when all other
institutions have been under full
headway for three or four months,
would give to the Inauguration of
our university an insignificance, fatal
probably for many years to its sue
cess. On account of the postpone
ment of the erection of the building,
and in view of the fact that the leg
islature meets in January, and that
it will then make provision for
the more successful inaugu-
ration of the university, the most
proper step would be to postpone
the Inauguration until the fall of
1883, when it could be accomplished
with credit to the undertaking. In
the meantime, the present decision
of the regents TO name professors,
being rather premature for begin
ming next fall, it would be wise to
postpone such selection beyond Au-
gust, and at that time to simply enter
into preliminsries to secure the best
men in the country. Professors of
experience and reputation, fit for
this work, are now engaged for the
succeeding year, and they might
not be prepared at once
to enter into engagements for
1884 Propositi Jns might be sub
mitted to the most reputable, and at
a meeting, say next spring, develop
ments would be sufficient to allow
the regents to act with discretion
and wisdom in the premises. 1t
may be reasonable to suppose that
the men who will ask for chairs, to
be occupied by October next, and
especially in January, would be such
as have no positions now, or who
have been refused places in other in
stitutions. We do not want such
men, and the only reasonable course
Is to postpone the Inauguration
till the fall of 1888. 1t
is understood that the Ma
hone revolutionists of Virginia
have prolonged engagements with
the learned corps of professors in
the University of Virginia tor just
one year, it being the purpose to
supplant the learned educators with
men who will teach the youths of
Virginia and the south that Malone
is political Messiah, and that those
who follow him may alone be saved.
The dignity of character and the
reputation of these professors, and
their honest political convictions,
will lead many of them to vacate
the chairs they have so long filled
with distinction, and to seek
employment elsewhere. 1t is
reasonable to presume that
were these men conferred
with, some of them might be Sc
cured for our university; but they
would need some little time to
reach conclusions. Such men as
these are not prepared, as others
would be, to say eyes, thank you,"
at the first intimation. One who re-
CARDS his reputation as professor,
and who is not looking out for sim
ply windtall, would desire to in
vestIgate all surroundings. When
one accepted chair in ocr uniYer-
sity it would be with the purpose to
stay, and to maintain his distinc-
tion by building up in the southwest
great institution of learning,
second to none in the country.
Therefore, such men would in
vestigate the purposes of our gov
ernment in equipping and sustain
ing the university, the adaptability
of climate and location to the health
and comfort of themselves and fam
lilies, and the permanency of engage
ments and these important ques-
tions could not be settled by
stranger to them all in a day. The
STATESMAN is deeply interested in
the success of the university; the
Democratic party is pledged to its
support; and we desire that no
false steps shall be taken in its in
auguration. Really everything lead
ing to success points toward opening
the university in the fall of 1888, and
we hope the regents will so decide
at their coming meeting. The diff
Guilty in securing full attendance at
the last meetings may be taken as
evidence that at least a portion of
the board is not deeply interested in
the work assigned them. The board
has already been reorganized
three or four times, because
of the resignation of men
improperly appointed on it,
and it is modestly suggested
that two or more designations
might still be sent in to the
advantage of the work before the
board. Above all things. the re-
gents, one and all, should be i'm
pressed with the Importance and
character of the work confided 10
them, but the evidence does. not
prove this as to all of them.
nEmnCD a-ur nu-.-r,