The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-01

proposed plan also requires that this
president snail attend .ne meetings OIL
| the Board Oh Visitors" ne Will nave
the opportunity, and, indeed, IL VIII De
his duty, 10 report 10 the board his oplii-
ion OF the several professors, ana Oh
the manner in which tney discharge their
| duties. Ii Is PLAN that this VIII put the
| professors at a fearful disadvantage III
their dealings with the President. Ihey
will feel ali the time a sense Oh thei.
dependence upon his good WILL anu
while the brave and strong may DC piool
against this powerful influence theIe
are others who could not withs'ahu ~
humiliating effect. and none VINO co"iu
escape would endure il.
The theory that the University Is
collection Of schools. each presided over
by a distinguished and independent mas
ter VIII be gone and a monarchy VIII
DO substituted for the republic OF letters, letters.
1t will be difficult under such cohdluohs
TO secure the services OF the u's.i'
guished men, of Independent chaiac.ei'
who have made the schools OK the OH'-
yersity famous.
1t is true that since its foundalloh
there have been professors at the On'
versty whose character as men, VI ga
pacity as teachers were below the hish
standard OF the faculty, but THESE men
were eventually eliminated by the 'isi-
tors, without the Intervention OF pIesl-
dent, and without effectng the ieenhs
OF security and independence OF those
professors who were In every resPeC'
worthy OF their positions. Inc 'lsitorS
have heretofore been equal to the occa-
sion, and will doubtless be SO again,
should such an emergency arise
al
The duties which have been assigned
the professors Of the University III inc
general management of the stuoehts'
both in instruction and In discipline nave
been so well performed that the report
Of the committee declares that they de-
sire II TO be clearly indicated that the
discipline OF the students should be lett
with felr instructors. Under the lhllu-
ence Of a correct and exalted pubic SEN
timent emanating from the members OF
the Faculty in their individaul capacities
as guides. philosophers and triends' mas
grown up a system OF disciplinary law
and order among the students themselves
that is recognized as one Of the hnest as
tinguished features IN this institution.
This distinctive honor system fostered
and promoted by the reciprocal relations
Of teacher and students should not be m
terfered with or jeOpardized
Among the duties expressly reserved 20
the chairman Of the faculty under the
resolution Of the committee are that he
shall exercise all the functions heretofore
exercised by the chairman Of the Faculty
with respect to the discipline Of the I'm
iversity" and the instruction in the sew
eral departments.
The committee thus admirably state the
reason and arrive at the just conclusion
that the discipline Of the students has
already been lodged in the best hands,
and that there is no need for president
on this very important account.
Among the duties TO be performed by
tho proposed president IS TO visit the
great cities of the country. and arouse
and inspire the interest and enthusiasm
Of our Alumni" This would seem natur-
ally TO involve the presentation Of the
claims OF the University Of Virginia upon
the support. not merely Of its Alumni but
Of any other persons VINO could be induced
to contribute 10 its endowment. 1t is
fact however, that on all occasions
where the University has needed repre-
sentative, one has been found generally
among her Faculty, but sometimes among
her visitors chosen for his special fitness
for the principal work 10 be done. whose
culture would equal that Of any one he
would meet. and who. with force but sim
plicity would present the claims Of the
most Democratic University in America.
That the University ass State institu-
ton should receive such numerous bene-
factions, not only from Nirginians. as
Dawson. Mccormick. Miller and others,
but from men who are not Virginans,
as from Austin, from CorcOran. Brooks
from Vanderbilt and from Fayerweather,
is proof that there is something in the
character Of the University itself. and its
own peculiar organization. which appeals
TO the generous and noble minded ire
spective of their State or denomination.
II would seem therefore. that the ser
vices Of president are not required Tor
the acquisition OF cnd0Wments.
Under tile proposed plan, the president
IS required % exercise q general supen-
intendence over the Buildings, apparatus
books and other property and TO regu-
larry inspect ana audit the accounts Of
the proctor" 10 is proper I'm this con-
neCtion 10 say that the business affairs
Of the University are committed TO the
hands or proctor. who Us also superin-
tcndent OF grounds and building and TO
th.s end is allowed hy DE Board OF Nisi-
tors q special assistant. The accounts
OF tho proctor are regularly audited by
commissioner OF accounts appointed Tor
the purpose, who Us an expert iu such mat
tiers, and may reasonably Doe supposed TO
De more competent and diligcnt i'm audit
Ing these accounts. than would be a pres
ldtni. VINO p"rchauCc may have no apti-
tude whatever for such business, and in
any event would De- very likely 10 dele
gate inc duty 10 some one chosen for the
purpose.
The simple fact is that the organization
OF tie University OF Virginia is to-day as
Icrect as II can well be made. II
lheic IS any failure % accomplish the re-
suits which should reasonably be expect
ed. the responsibility lies at the door of
9oIie OF those VINO are already in Office
and u would be wiser aEd easier TO stimu-
late new energy I'm the present personnel
man TO disrupt and rebuild with no rea-
sohaple hope OF lettering It, Upon The
1odId or VISITORS appointed by the Gov
tihcr rests the heaviest duties. and the
mpsl solemn responsibilities of anybody
connected with the University Thev
nave al their hands The whole facult,y
VINO are conceded to De competent in
structOrs and efficient disciplinarians of
lhc students. The business OF the Uni
Ncisly III the hands Of a thorough and
"DtNc business man with ample assist
ants enables The Visitors TO have anv
PidHS luey may devise for the good of the
University, thoroughly executed. How
c "a "a O.Iuclion OF a president will add to
t.4V '"C4tAcy or The organization of fho
University is not seen. but il is very nlain
tIal now spirit ana sentiment would
ugfe 70 be created around the institution
MincH WouId Dc dissmildr to that which
mas neen formed since its foundation
II Is not improbable that chairman
"e clected whose professional duties
,,. sht conflict with the tuu and energetic
though this is not necessarily frue IN
every case as all the members of the
faculty are not alike burdened with the
autles OF tneir chairs. I'm any case where
d Cilali man Us elected who cannot vigOr-
ously perform the duties of cbairmnp
without IN some measure Stacking his
hand IN the lecture room. it is perfectly
Competent 10 ana advisable for the Visit