The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-05

sewerage for the UniversIty. they shall
have authority to acquire such springs
lands and rights OF way as may be
necessary according to tho provisions of
chapter 40.
VIEWS OF AN ALUMNUs
In connection with the above end in
regard to recent publication signed
"XAH' on the Faculty Bill an alum
nus OF the University writes as follows:
Editor Of The Times-Dispatch:
Sir,-As the matter affecting the Uni
versity Of Virginia comes before COM
nittee Of the Legislature this afternoon,
you space for an expression OF what my
own thoughtful consideration OF that cor
respondents views suggested
In the first place, there Is no Faculty
Bill before the Legislature. 30 far as
have been able to learn. The faculty did
offer certain suggestions to tho Board Of
Visitors as to what were the Views of Its
members on this subject of vital impor-
lance to the institution with which they
have been connected for periods varying
from few years to n generation They,
however. have not gone into the Legisla-
tEre with these views. They have no
proposition before that body
On the other hand. tho alumni Of the
University have seen TT to ask the enact
ton and election Of a president and as
that measure provides In its main fea-
lure for nominating board similar to
that discussed by ky" shall state
some of the reasons why we hope that
1t will be adopted.
Before doing SO, however, wish to d.
rect the attention of xxx" to the fact
that his conclusions as to tho dfreful re-
suits that will follow the adoption Of the
Faculty Bill" as ne states them, seemed
based upon the resolutions on the presi-
dents powers contained In what he calls
the suppressed clauses AS no such
clauses have been proposed to the Legis-
lature at any time by anybody 1 take it
l may disregard "NC&X's" conclusions and
direct my remarks to that main feature
of nominating committee. He objects to
this committee because it divides the re-
sponsib1lty and hampers the action Of the
Board of Visitors.
He thinks the plan suggested Is In con-
filct with a primary axiom of good gov
crnment. 1t does not seem to have oc-
Cured to NIX that a primary election
to indicate to a body having authority to
eject an officer the choice Of the people
With whom the officer has most to do and
whose cordial support he needs is not UNI
usual In well-governed America. It has
been found not unsuccessful as a method
OF obtaining satisfactory officials.
40 Aiom--rNSll hlUW Tie pan urlOSF
discussion provides for nominating
committee of nine-three from the board,
three from the faculty and three from
the alumni.
The board, II there were no such com
mlttee. would probably adopt the usual
method and appoint its own subcommit-
tee to make nominations. We merely
propose to assist that subcommittee.
Why not?
AID THE PRESIDENT.
In spite Of what Xxx says. we
think that the president, who must work
with the faculty. viii have his success
much aided, by having been thus noml-
mated with the faculty represented on
the Nominating Board. He will also
have more cordial support from the
alumni, because Of their Representations
His support by the board is assured, as
that body always has absolute power to
elect or call for new nominations indie
hnttely, being at no time bound to ac-
cept a nomination as final.
viii Xxx deny that even Presi-
dent Eliot would have made Harvard a
greater success had he the cordial sup
port Of his faculty and students-i. O.,
granting the contention that he has
it not?
President Woodrow Wilson, whose
sudden, but, I might suggest not ul-
expected election, held, as Is stated, in
order to destroy factions in the faculty.
seems to have strong support from fac
ulty, students and alumni.
Under the measure proposed no such
factions can arise, as no member of the
faculty is eligible to the office.
I do no agree with Xxx that
alumni repr esentation Is provided for Ey
the fact that the Governor usually APP
| points alumni in the Board Of Visitors
No university can grow and increase
| without the cordial support Of the
| alumni. They are the men. who spread
her fame abroad; they and the faculty
! are the men who cause students to at
tend. They should be given every en-
enlargement. Their assistance and ao-
Vice Should be sought; they should be
urged to give them Is there another
prominent university that does not do
so? The present system does not insure
the alumni. being represented at all,
| That it has failed to cause them to give
enthusiastic support Is TOO we'll known
for comment to be necessary. Give tie
alumni, as alumni. because they nre
alumni, representation in this important
matter, and their interest will be aroused
al once.
Their desire to have such representa-
ton Of itself demonstrates the fact. As
to the faculty, ! take it a president would
prefer to have had tho faculty given an
opportunity to express its Views before
his election. ! take 1t he and they will
both do better work on that account.
Cordial sympathy Is worth something
when men must pull together. xxx
to the contrary Notwithstanding. II Is
worth something to assure tho incoming
president Of this support.
| Again: Men suitable for such a posi-
tion are not easy to find. They are not
well known to business men, such as
B compose boards OF visitors. Their sue
cess Is not such as 10 cause them TO be
well known IN lines familiar to such men
OF course good presidents may have been
chosen by such boards with no sugges-
tons of any sort from their faculties
but Is It not true that the faculties are
more apt than any others to know what
! men are suitable and obtanable? with
a vote of but three In nine In the nomi,
mating committee, all Of whose nomina.
lions may be rejected until the boards
Views are satisfied, I do not think The
faculty VIII have dangerous power