The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-16
1T LOOKS LIKE M'BR1DE,

The Board of Visitors of the University
of Virginia postponed the election of a
president until the 28th of July. Mr.
Jefferson, who founded that great insti-
tuition, did not believe in president, and
during all its history it has been conduct
ed without an executive head, the mem
bers of the faculty serving in turn as
chairman of the faculty and performing
the executive duties. Mr.. Jefferson's
ideal would still be correct if universities
were not under the necessity of raising
money and drumming for students. The
model college president today is not gen
orally chosen so much for his scholarship,
though that is required, as for his ability
to reach men of wealth who may add to
the endowment or equipment of the in
stitution, or attract an increased student
body, or both. For these purposes
modern duties, comparatively-there is
need of president who possesses the
qualifications to successfully attract
money and students. The trustees of the
University of Virginia feel the need OF a
president who can perform these duties,
and for that reason decided to depart
from Jefferson's plan. His theory was
correct, but conditions have changed.
Referring to the action of the board,
the Richmond Times Dispatch says:
THE other gentlemen who were either
aggressive or receptive candidates for the
position as well as several who were named
without any sort of authority. are said
to have been considered one by one and
each in turn was eliminated from consider
alton because of a lack of support in the
board. The two gentlemen most discuss
ed were DR.. Charles w. Dabney. of the
University of Tennessee, and Professor
George w. Miles, of ST. Adams 1t can
not be definitely ascertained how the
board stood, but from a trustworthy
source it is learned that Mr.. Miles devel-
oped considerably more strength than DR..
Dabney. The proceedings, however, de-
veloped the fact that Mr.. Dabney's can
didacy was hopeless and that Professor
Miles could not command a majority of
the board. Both were therefore elimna-
ted from further consideration
1T is stated that the only one of the
numerous names suggesteu that was not
definitely acted on in this way, was that
of DR.. J. M. McBryde, of the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg. No
body was authorized to suggest DR.. Nc
Brydes name for the presidency of the
University, and it was not known wheth-
er or not he would accept the position if
rendered him. 1t is nevertheless said that
he developed considerable strength in the
board, and it may be that he will be ten
dered the position at the next meeting if
he can be induced to accept"
One of the strongest arguments in ia
vor of the election of DR. McBryde is,
to quote the Times-Dispatch: His work
at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute has
been most successful. His results in get
ting students have been remarkable. The
AFFINITY with which he has managed affairs
at B'acksburg has attracted widespread
attention"
Ability to get students and money, plus
executive ability, is the sine qua non for
the president of a university in this year
of grace 1908 That is another way of
saying that trustees of universities. de-
mand man who has the qualities to sue
coed in making the institution equal to its
o,,ro-t,,,;t;o.