The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-05
SUNDAY. JANUARY .. 1902. !,
SAVE OUR UNIVERSITY I

We arc distressed to. sec tho spirit. of
opposition In tho Constitutional Conven-.
ton against the University of Virginia
still In evidence. The friends OF that
great institution had congratulated them
selves that tho fight against this oppose
,ioa had been won. and that the matter
of fixing minimum appropriation had
been settled once for ALL. but yesterday.
without any warning, the convention, in
Committee OF the Whole, took up this
clause Of the committees report relating
to the University. and struck it out The
motion 20 reconsider prevailed, and the
matter will come up again tomorrow.
Ne sincerely hope that the convention
VIII not take q. back step in this impor-
tant matter. The University of Virginia
Is the pride Of the State, and the great
bulwark OF higher education in Virginia.
It was founded by Thomas Jefferson, the
father Of Democracy, and in maintaining
that institution we honor this great man
and carry on the work which he started.
In declaring that the appropriation to the
University from year to year shall not
be less than the amount agreed upon, the
convention commits itself to the princl-
PIE Of education, and very properly makes
4. part OF the organic law of the land
To sustain this, the greatest Of our instl-
tntions. The University will thus be as
sured Of a. fixed income and the manage
ment may make their plans from year
TO year accordingly. The convention say
by that act that this sacred institution
shaIl not be made the football of poll
tics. and shall not be dependent for its
existence upon the caprice of politicians.
So long as the Democratic party remains
In power there is every probability that
the Legislature will make the necessary
appropriation to the University, but If
there should come a change and If the
State Government should fall into the
hands of hostile party, the University
might be almost destroyed in a short
should not take. We cannot afford TO
trife with a. matter so important The
University has had a distinguished ca
reer and there are greater triunlphs
ahead for it. provided only the State will
give it o. sure support Under the old
regime there has been anxiety among the
officers and professors of the University
whenever the Legislature was in session.
and there was more or less doubt and
uncertainty until, finally, the appropria-
~ . t. liz GaS-
tlian dishonor 10 the State that q, dig
nified Institution of this character should
be made to pass through such an ordeal
every time the Legislature meets If the
members of the Constitutional Conven-
ton are in favor of giving the University
as much as $4,000 a year and if they are
opposed to harassing and annoying the
institution from time to time with this doubt
and uncertainty of which we have spoken.
then let them show their friendship for
the Institution and their willingness to
support 1t by fixing the amount in the
Constitution itself.
The failure tc sustain our University
would simply force our young men TO so
away for higher education in literature
and science. and for preparation for the
learned professions. The idea Of depen-
dence upon Northern and Western in
situations for this sort OF instruction is
not only intolerable to those Virginians
who have a spark of the old State pride
In them, but the fact Of such dependence
would deprive many a noble young Vir-
ginian OF that chance in life which ought
to be his birthrisht.
VIII this convention take it from them?
We don't believe It.