The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-02
The Old Capl:ol Building.

We publish the following facts written by pr. l.. o. Dawson to the Editor of The Selma Times to correct some mis- takes in an article that recently occurred in The Times:
 Tuscaloosa. Ala, March 31, 1905. To the Editor Times:
 In recent editorial you unwittingly did some of your old Tuscaloosa friends an injustice, which I am sure you will gladly correct by the publication of the following facts. gathered from what may be seen now in the Alabama Central Fe- male College. and from one of it's origi- nal founders noted for his accuracy of statement.
 First-Doubtiess some people have thought of purchasing the property of the Alabama Central Female College located here. for an Annex for young lady stu dents of the University but the A C. + C. Trustees have not had and have not now any idea of selling. It is now serv- ing most excellent purpose, and is too far from the University to be used by it in any way to advantage.
 Second-The Tuscaloosa Female College is the school contemplating such a sale Nte the University. It is not so far away and is much better suited for the pur- poses of the University.
 Third-The Alabama Central Female College, so far from being the drag" you mention. and which you doubtless re- member in former days, is full to it's linn 1t. Plans are now on foot to enlarge the buildings 10 make room for the constant ly growing patronage.
 Fourth-rhe main building Is a three story edifce and one of the most perfect pieces of architecture in the South. The dormitory, erected by the A. C. r. Trus- tees at great cost, Is four-story build lng-a model of comfort and convenience.
 Fifth-The property was never given to the Baptists. 1t has not now and never has had any sort of connection with any Baptist Church, Association or Conven- tt@Ea a,x1 ,z1, L..l. over it whatever.
 Sixth-The State originally gave the property to the University for educational purposes. After trying vainly to use it for some time, the University finally abandoned 1t to bats and owls. The fail ure was chiefly due to distance. It was after this that number of gentlemen proposed to lease the property for ninety nine years (with the privilege of renewal at the expira tion of that time) as q school gladly acceded to the proposal and set a rental consideration which was quite sat- isfactory to the University at the time. but which seems now very small.
 The gentlemen had themselves incor- porated as the "Alabam Central Female College" and had a clause put in their charter, as they had right to do, re- quiring two-thirds of the Trustees to be Baptists. They then selected Board of Trustees to manage the school and the Board has been ever since a self-perpet- uating body.
 You will observe, therefore, that the A. c. r. c. Is a private school, though the plan of its founders in committing it to the care of a -perpetuating Board guards it from the usual fate of private schools. which depend on the life and work of some one man or family, and gives to it all the permarience of a State or Church Institution With varying for tunes the Board has done its work for forty-four consecutive years and have the joy now of seeing the Central in the flood tide of success.
 Seventh-There is this unique feature about the matter. No one shares any personal profit from the income of the school. All it's receipts are put into the strengthening of the faculty and the im- provement of the property In conse- quence of the Baptist clause In the char ter, and seeing that 1t was purely be- nevolent enterprise on the part of the founders and trustees, many of the Bap- lists of the State have given freely of their time and money to maintain and improve the school, and its property. as you say, Is in excellent condition.
 write these facts Mir. Editor, all the more cheerfully because l know your love for Tuscaloosa and all her institutions, and because Tuscaloosa still regrets your departure from among her children.
 Cant you come to the Centrals com menCement and see the happiest lot of girls in Alabama? Sincerely,
 L.. Q. Dawson Member of the A. c. F. c. Board of
 Trustees.