Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-31

such men as Absolom koiner, will
institute a rigid examination into
the work and labor and improve
ments that have been put upon
buildings and grounds OF the University
in the way Of reforming and repairing
and putting in firstrate condition the
sewers; repairing and redtting the pro-
fessors' residences, the dormitories, in
Urinary, walkways, Enclosures, road
ways, and, above all, securing to the
University an abundant supply Of water
from reservoir five miles distant; and,
in fine, renewing and renovatlng the
University in thousand and one ways
too numerous to mention here, and all
at a moderate outlay Of money. The
committee will remember that these
things have been greatly needed for
many years, and have never been &C
complished before by any preceding
Board of Visitors.
beg also to call the committees at
tention to the number Of officers the pre-
sent Board has abolished as supernu-
meraries. The librarian has been made
to do the duties OF secretary to the
chairman of the faculty, clerk Of the
Board of Visitors, as well as librarian
the assistant superintendent Of grounds
and buildings, or assistant to the proc
tor, has been abolished the Office Of
.bursar has been abolished, and many
other reforms effected Of which the
committee will be informed.
Again An additional chair Of English
has been established to which Professor
Garnett was elected-a want at the
time demanded by public sentiment.
and esteemed a grand succedaneum to
the PROFESSIONAL department Of the
University and all this done in the
face of financial stress and embar-
rassment hard to encounter and accom-
modate. In fact, the wonder is that so
much has been accomplished in so short
a time with so little means. This day
several residences are greatly needed
for the several professors who have been,
and yet are, obliged to live in Char
lottesville for want Of the means to
build them houses on the University
grounds.
Much more might be said as TO the
general management Of the University
during the last four years by the present
Board of Visitors but | refer the
committee to the proctor, the librarian,
TO the professors generally, but espe-
cially and particularly to DR.. Cabell,
Colonel Peters, DR.. Harrison the chair
man Of the faculty., Professor Minor,
and Colonel Venable, who are more
familiar with the interior business Of
the University, for information in detail
as to the general conduct Of the Board,
and Of the Executive Committee par
ticulaIly.
Again As to the unmerited fling Of
Alumnus" at the professors. |
would ask who is to be the arbter of
their learning, science. and proficiency.
Will he undertake to examine them be-
fore the committee in Law, Medicine.
Surgery. and Physiology, Anatomy
and Materia Medica, Latin, or Greek ;
Or perhaps he would take tilt at Pro-
fessOr Yenable in Mathematics, or at
Professor Mallett in General and Indus
trial Pharmacy and Chemistry, or at
plain and simple Professor stone in
Practical Astronomy; or. being law
yer, he would prefer to exercise his le-
gal lore with the renowned author Of
Minors Institutes, and with Professor
Gilmore on Equity and Constitutional
Law: or, if his tastes are more literary
and sublimated still, with George
Frederick Holmes on Historical Science
and Professor Smith on Natural Phi
losophy.
Now, without being a partisan Of
either of these gentlemen, am bold to
say that if the learned and critical JEFF
ferson himself was living and in the hey
day of his scholarship he would be
more than satisfied with the attain
ments and ability of these professors.
And now, in conclusion, let me ask
"Alumnus " who stands better before
the world personally, morally, re-
ligiously who stands higher, aye as
high who occupies so commanding
position before the American and
European world in their specialties as
those grand old men Cabell and Minor:
They are the pride aud boast Of the
University to-day, and they have been
its head cornerstone from its establish
ment nearly.
Alumnus" complains that the cata-
logue shows no more than 300 students.
Alumnus answers his own OBJ
lection fully, and admits that it is
lowing to the impoverished condition
of the country" Does he not also
know that the competition in uniyersi-
ties. colleges, and high schools is an
other potent reason for the decrease in
students: All admit this fact: and
vet " Alumnus " is not satisfied. in
vite him to appear before the commit
tee, make his charges. confront those
he discusses, and then we say to the
committee, dudi alterem partem.
A MEMBER or THE BOARD