Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-09
REMOVAL OF THE SEMINARY.
Its Effect Upon the business Interests OF
Farmville and Upon the Institution.

Farmville and Upon the Institution.
Editorial, Farmville Journal)
While much has been said and written
on the subject of the removal OF the semi.
nary, 1t Is a matter Of so much i'm
portance to the people Of Prince Edward
that it will not be out of place to discuss
it further. We propose to consider 1t as
business proposition, conceding that its
removal is not only possible, but proba-
bic. 1t is a fact that since the war the
tendency OF population and wealth is
towards towns and cities, and the desire
seems almost universal 20 abandon the
country, and go TO the great centres Of
trade. travel, and business. This feeling
has taken hold on those who control the
seminary, and the desire of city life has
captivated number of them, and It's re-
moval Is eagerly sought for by many
businessmen Of Richmond, Roanoke, and
Lynchburg, without considering the in
terest Of the Church. We do not be-
lieve that the Church will be benefited
by the proposed removal. This feature
is not giving a number OF those who ara
actively interested in the matter the
least concern. 1t is with them purely
a speculation, which they hope will tend
10 advance their interest in real estate.
This Is the cause Of their zeal and earnest
desire for its removal, and no thought
concerning the interest OF the seminary
or of religion enters into their calcula.
ton.
BOTH GO.
Let us see how it will affect the bust
ness interest of Prince Edward and our
Southside counties:
The seminary was born in Hampden-
Sidney College Had there been no
college at its present location there
would have been no seminary there. II
one is removed the other will follow.
Every reason advanced for the removal
OF one is equally potential for the re-
moval OF the other. If these two in
situations are removed from Prince Ed
ward IL Will be a proclamation to the
world that our county is about to be
abandoned by the intelligent whites and
given over 10 the ignorant and thought
less, and that education. refinement. and
progress are preparing TO move to a
more favorable location. Soon after the
war Randolph Macon College was re.
moved from Mecklenburg, one of the
largest and richest counties in the
GNdbt, anu IL mas hOl ytI ltNOstlEu llblll
its loss, and will not in our day. In the
place of this splendid institution Of
learning there Is a little colored school,
established in the fine buildings that re-
main. and is comparatively OF little value
10 the section in which il is located. This
was a severe blow TO the SOuthside, and
TO Mecklenburg in particular. and was re-
gtetted by every one in that section OF
the State.
Now, take away the seminary from
Prince Edward, and In little while the
college will follow; what will be the eff
feet upon this county. and upon Farm
vile? Look at II in a practical way.
These two institutions have more than
s3O0, 900 of endowments. The interest
upon this sum is paid out in this county
and amounts TO $4,000 annually. The
handsome little town will be abandoned,
and with the money which is spent in
this county by the students of the two
Institutions will make at low estimate
$4,000 each year-the amount requested
of Prince Edward to build the proposed
road is only $4,000.
Take away this sum $4,000 from the
centre Of the county, ard its influence
will be felt in every house and home.
POWERFUL AGENCIES.
In this business powerful agencies are
at work to influence the removal. What
are We doing TO prevent II? We must
bestlr ourselves, or We VIII lose these
institutions. What can We do? Mucn IN
many ways. The principle reason for
removal is that its location is inaccessible
Let US make 1t accessible, and silence at
once this argument in behalf Of removal
by building a railroad through the county
from Farmville to Keysville. This can
be done at cost Of about $4,000, pay
able In thirty years, the debt bearing 3
per cent. interest. This will increase our
tax 5000 year. which, when divided
among the people, will be only rev
cents each, which can be paid without
feeling It. But every mile OF railroad In
this county will be assessed at the rate OF
S. 900, and will be taxed at 40 cents in
the hundred dollars. Each depot Will
be taxed In the same proportion. 50 We
think that the railroad itself will pay
large proportion. II not all. the addition,
which will be made to our taxes.
Let these institutions be taken away
and q large quantity Of taxable property