The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-08
LEGISLATIVE AID ASKED.
A Stirring Appeal for The Restoration Of
The University.
BRIEF HISTORY OF It's FOUNDATION.
The High Rank IL Holds Among the Edu-
cational Institutions of the world.
It's Worthy of the Aid 1t Asks.
Lynchburg. Va. Dec. sth, 1895.


To the Editor OF The Times:
Sir,-The State University has been
visited by a disastrous fire The alumni,
and publc-spirited persons throughout
the State and throughout the South, have
shown a generous willingness 10 aid In
its restoration, but 10 accomplish this
liberal appropriation by the Legislature Is
absolutely necessary. That body has just
convened, and / venture 10 offer some OF
the many considerations which, as IL
seems TO me, should influence its mem
bers. without respect to party, to make
a prompt and liberal response 70 the call
which this calamity makes upon them.
A brief history Of the foundation ana
budding OF the University, its unique and
distinctive methods and courses or IN
strLctiCn. the bcneiiccnt influence OF It's
work not alone in Its own lecture-hails'
but indirectly upon the cause Of popular
education, and the high rank II holds
among the educational institutions OF
the world, must engage he interest and
admiration of the friends Of liberal learn
ing everywhere, and especially in Nir-
gina.
ITS FOUNDER.
OF the three services to his country
and to his kind by which Mr.. Jefferson
wished TO be remembered, and which ne
caused TO be carved upon his tombstone,
one Of them is: Father Of the Uniyer-
sity OF Virginia" Such assuredly he
was; and for more than forty years the
care and nurture OF this child OF his al
lection engaged his unceasing love and
solicitude. For although the University
was completed and started upon its ca
reer OF usefulness within six years OF the
special act Of the Legislature establishing
that institution, it was nevertheless the
last evolution of a scheme Of public edu-
cation proposed by Mr. Jefferson, in lbs,
when Governor Of the State. If an insti-
tuition was ever the heightened shadow
of one man, 10 use Emerson's aphorism,
the University Of Virginia IL the leng-
thened shadow of Thomas Jefferson; the
historic product of his mind. Not only
was the original conception of the insti-
tuition, and its broad and comprehensive
SCENE OF studies due TO him; but the very
ground-plan and structure OF Its build
ings. every architectural design down TO
the minutest detail, every estimate OF ma
terials, all the multitudinous matters that
are usually left TO architects and skilled
Iaborers, were the work of Mr.. Jefferson.
and were by him carefully thought out,
and laboriously specified on paper. lie
trained the carpenters, masons and brick
layers and even designed tools and Inn
plements for them. The various drawings
for the buildings, representing severally
distinct types of classical architecture
were made by him with infinite labor
and with exquisite skill. Daily during
the six years of its construction, thouoh
an octogenarian, he rode from Monticello.
four miles distant, 10 direct the work
upon this object Of his pride and affcc-
ton, THE last OF my mortal cares, and
the last service 1 can render my coun-
try" TO use his own pathetic language In
a letter 10 Joseph c. Cabell.
We Justly regard Jefferson as the apos-
tie and exponent Of rep Iblican liberty.
His fame grows with the lapse of years
as the greatest political phil osopher and
prophet of his own or any age. But
careful survey Of his work as the found
e. Of the University will account this as
not the least authentic testimonial TO his
great and broad intellect. and his pro-
found and sympathetic interest in the
welfare of his race. II was evolved from
his Individual thought. He had nothing
TO build upon but an idea. He could not
make "A State University out Of either OF
the three existing colleges, William and
Mary. Washington. and Hampden-Sidney
for they were all church institutions, one
Episcopaiian. and two Presbyterian. The
Central College at Charlottesville out Of
which he proposed to develop a Univer-
sty existed as yet only on paper. There
was no endowment there were no pub
ford fuel; there was nothing but naked
idea.
FORMULATING THE PLAN.
But this naked idea he proceeded 10
clothe with n rich and royal vesture.
For very many years he had revolved it
in his head as a fond anticipation and
had expended upon it anxious and labor
ious hours and days of work. AS early
as the year 1900 his ideas of the plan and
scope of the proposed University began 10
assume definite shape. From that date
he necessarily worked upon il by inquiry,
by conversation. and by correspondence
with the leading men in educational mat
ters IN this country, and more particular
~ in Europe. I'm regard TO the most
practical and efficient scheme of a great
University that should establish a high
standard OF scholarship, and yet be in
touch with the cause of popular educa-
ton ever dear 20 his heart lie would
be content with no halfway plan. In
1907. his friend Cabcll, wrote 20 him in
regard TO the project OF n French sci2nt-
list 10 establish q museum Of natural his .
tory at William and Mary College. He
answered: "Insteai OF wasting your
time in attempting to patch ~ decaying
institution, direct your efforts to a high
er and more valuable object. Fo md a
new one which shall he worthy Of the
first State in the Union"
LEGISLATIVE ACTS.
In 1916 the AlbeDiarle Academy was by
the Legislature changed 10 Central Col
lege. 1t was practically but an empty
charter. with only an Insignificant appro-
prlation behind H. the proceeds OF the
sale of certa in glebe lands. private sub
scrptiOns vIe raised % The amount Of
81 900, jefferson, Madison Monroe CabelI
and six other gentlemen subscribing each
thousand dollars. In February, 1918,
the Legislature voted an annual aDpro-
priation Of $4,000 for a University. the
site TO be determined by a board OF COM
missioners appointed by the Governor.
This $1,000 w8s part Of a literary fund"
arising in the first instance from certain
oscheats, forfeitures, fines and derelict
property: and afterwards largely increas-
ed by sums Of money paid by the general
government 10 Virginia for services rend-
cred and sacrifices made during the Eevo-
lutionary wal. The Commissioners 10
select the site chose the grounds on
which the Albemare Academy trecently
changed 10 Central College, was situated
mile from the town Of Charlottesville
On the 18th OF January, 1913. by act OF
the Legislature the University Of Virginia
and Central College were merged into
one, and on that day, memorable In the
educational annals OF Virginia, our great
nursery OF science and literature had its
birth. Forthwith Mr.. Jefferson. seconded
by Joseph Cabell, then a member OF the
Legislature entered upon the building OF
the great institution. The $4,000 pri-
waite subscriptions to Central College