The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-07
MATTERS OF|INTEREST TO WOMEN
AND ABOUT THE HOUSEHOLD
University is as sincere as his serv,c. to

University is as sincere as his service to
it are eminent. and whom we all love
and admire, appeared 10 oppose the
whole plan. Without endorsement Of the
supposed aspirant for appointment. we
deemed It inopportune to make the
change then. and nothing was done. Our
action at that time had no reference to
the fitness Of the distinguishes
and able man who was said to
be in mind for the place Of President and
who was as decidedly persona non grata
to the Faculty. including the Professor
of Latin as Mr.. lies seems now to be
all except the former Professor OF
Latin and one or two others.
But am convinced an executive head
OF the University is necessity. agree
with Colonel Peters that the fnsti-
istration of a chairman chosen from
the Faculty unless his professton-
al duties are merely nominal. oue
i disagree toto coelo with Col
ouel Peters ttat it is wise to create
nominal professorship and mako that
professor q permanent chairman but not
a President such scheme would be
most nlischievous. It would be make
shift. Such professorship would be
in contempt with the student body and
the faculty. and q permanent chairman
would neither possess the powers nor
command the respect a true executive
should receive and exercise.
Therefore with most ardent attachment
to Jefferson's marvellous scheme. be-
lieve it Is no longer either pratical Or
possible OF being made practical. without
elaboration. It should. however. be pre-
served, and there should be added to 1t
by proper legislation new office. pres
ident of the University. who should by
law be made ex-officio entitled to a place
upon the Board Of Visitors and a seat
III the faculty. thus being the capstone OF
the arch and serving as connecting
link between the governing body and the
faculty.
AS it is now the board visits the Uni
versity Very occa sfonally and depends for
its acquaintance with the institution and
its needs upon official reports or upon
the suggestions OF individuals who ap-
proach some Of its members. Many pro-
fessors will not do time. and other with
less sensitiveness gain the attention OF this
or that member. Now such president
by icing a member of both bodies would
be the proper medium OF communication
between them.
Colonel Peters deprecates the possible
dictatorship Of a president. All this can
be regulated by the law authorizing his
appointment and defining his duties and
powers.
HGs CIletII VI tuc AdSuASS SAiOA1u Oo
preserved with exactly his present pow
e-s. but he should be chosen by the fac
atty and his appointment be made by tho
board upon the nomination OF the facul-
ty. The rector OF tho board should re-
main as now. The president should be
nominated to the board by the faculty.
/ and the Executive Committee OF the
Alumni, thereby attaching tho Alumni
more intima tely to their alma mater, and
several nomina tons being made the ap-
pointment would be made from these. thus
all possible charge OF political countvance
would be removed.
One other suggestion 7 Will add IN
letter already too long wholly oppose
the establishment of i chair OF economics
at the University. It is ex VI termint q
political chair and must necessarily dis
cuss questions OF public polity The CnI-
versity is State institution. and this
exposes it always to more % less danger
from political parties. This chair would
necessitate discussion Of political ques-
tons. II such discussion should lead
to teaching what was note in accord with
the views of the dominant party In the
State. it would be preiudicfal to the Uni
versity's appropriation. and therefore
there would be the temptation to sacri-
fee principle for policy. OF course this
science is all important. tSt believe It
better to let 1t be taught ~ now at the
University. rather than dignity it into
distinct school.
| FINALLY. 4 earnestly hope the present
hoard will not do anything more than
mite with the faculty and the General
society Of the Alumni In appointing
COMMITTEES Of its own body to act with
committee OF the faculty and with
committee OF the alumni to formulate
plan to provide an executive head OF the
University and to receive from the Gen
era1 Assembly such amendment Of the
laws as will accomplish the desired enM.
Meanwhile let all this assault upon ~.
Miles be ended, and let us leave the m1D
out Of the question until the plan Is per-
fected. Respectfully,
JAMES r. HARRISON.
Danrille. Va. Oct 8. 1902