The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-02

T.
in which one member Of the visitors took
most prominent part, concerning the
involved principle in any board appointing
one of its own members to an important
and lucrative position. to see that the
proposition of Mr.. Miles is untenable. The
visitors of the University will not estap-
lish any such dangerous precedent
Mr.. Miles is not distinguished student
OF the science of economics. It remains
yet to be shown that he has ever studleu
the subject at all. For one to enuncia le
tho proposition that the visitors would pc
wiling to establish in a. professorship IN
the University of Virginia man VINO
may not be capable of properly teaching
an important science, which he IS re-
ouired to profess, is to assum astha the
visitors could be capable of kHoEins1s
prostitutinS the character Of the oHt-
versity and the principle OF learning, ana anu
scientific research to such an extent tHaS
the idea is too abhorrent for consiuet d
ton.
Whether the rumor which states tha1
Mr.. Miles was an applicant TOT me
chair of romance languages recehiN
filled and again for the chair OF Laeln
still more recently filed, can be SUB
stantated or not. it goes to snow mat
in his still more recent aspiration OF nav
ing new chair of economics created for
him, he has had leaning tendencies 10 be-
come member of that faculty. some
what regardless of the subject he Is pre-
pared to teach. It is true, taat IN the
two years he was a student IN the Uni
versity he did graGuate in Latin. IN
French and German. and that these We're
the only subjects in which he did grad
uate at the University of Virginia.
would seem, therefore. that apnl1cation
for either the chairs OIL ancient IAN
gllases would have been more justifiahle
which there has as Yet been produced
no. evidence that MI Miles has at any
time been a srecia! student.
Concerning the matter of the chairman
shin of the faculty it has been said
that the professorsllip was but CLOAK
to admit to the faculty one who could thus
be eligible for its chairInaNsfl'2 Picture
a man inefficient in his professional work
sitting in authority over that body, which
for eighty years has been breeding mert
in Virginia and in the South. The Uni
versity may be weak In places, out there
is one thing on which size draws me.
line. and stands on It tlaf-footfd, grim
and severe. To prevent sham anc char-
latanism as far as is humanity possfple:
has always been and is to-day gospel
l. -
faith. ana in this her sons have been
taught to speak the truth. and not to be
afraid and they fight with al the fanati-
ci.m which goes with ona,s dsfense OF
faith. The visitors Of the University are
her sons. aEt, the statements OF a Sc
lec.ed and ;rresp3nstb,c few to the con-.
trary. not,..ti.ata ndins, they are not go.
ing to do this thing which has been
1ur.,ored. without authority OF them
This turmoil nbou. the executive office
at the University brings. UP tar reach
ing and important question. IN winch
every Nirginian Is. and must be inter-
ested. It's an oTen question "hlch VII
have to be settled before long independ-
emily of the one now under consideration Sl1 :;
There are many who hope that Mr.
Ie,Yers7r:'s Ideal. Of which the University
government is last remaining type, may
he cluns to and given fair trial for Its.
nernet,Iat;on. the enuh}icen
form of government through an executive
body by means Of its mouthpiece, a chair
man.
1t has in recent years failed. Why?
Because the governing body. the faculty
have not been allowed to elect their
n,outfpece. their chairman. The chair
nan has been arbitrarily appointed by
| the Board Of Visitors without ADEQUATE
kno.vleGga1 of the needs, life. thought ane
interests of the faculty ana students lhs
information of the visitors is confined to
an acoIaintancassiin. limited by hein.
n.osent nj the#I-ni rsity for one or two
DAYS during TIC session. and for one or
two DAYS a t the end of the session. after
eli the years work is over. During these
! t,,.iaf STAYS the time of the visitors is
wholly consumed In administering the fl
r,ncial budget Of s15nC00. The friends Of
EIr. Jefrerson's plan of government be-
lisye that it does not have fair trial
under existing circumstances. They be-
love t,1ot the faculty should appoint its
own chairman. and thus be made respon-
sible without division for the government
| of which it is nominally held responsible
| They believe that there should be ro-
| :aton in this office at periods OF TWO
years. in order that the professor who
| holds the Craftsmanship, and its duties
| NAV not be too seriously interferred with
| in his professional duties. They do not
! believe that there is any middle ground
| between this and a presidency.
/ Other friends of the University honest
] Nv believe that an executive head Is ne
| cessary in order to carry on the business
! of the University successfully. They
| insist that the business details OF tbs
| executive department have grown TO such
] an extent that it is impossible that a
| professor can attend to his scholastic du-
ties in such a manner as is required by
! the University standards, and at the
| sane time be efficient as an executive
! officer of the institution These friends
. ar7ently wish an officer. whether he be
| called PRESIDENT chancellor dean or what
! whose Office shall be without scholastic
| duty, who shall deal with the discipline.
| finances and relations of the University
to other institutions only But. since
this Office IS not provided for by statute
| law. it will be necessary to have the
| Legislature pass an act authorizing SUCH
an Office, and further specifying the man
ner and method Of selecting the officer to
| fill It,
! They believe. that inasmuch as the
Board of Visitors is a temporary board
! its members being appointed by the Gov
| ernor Of the State individually. to hlf
| for two years only, it is essentially po-
/ litical board. The appointment OF the
! executive officer of the University should
| be as far removed from all political in
auences as is humanly possible, and
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