The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-23
CAPTAIN vawtar for pahnex.

Captain Vawter for Dabney.
Editor Of The Times Dispatch:
Sir,-I desire to present some reasons
that seem to me to point to DR.. Charles
w. Dabney, president OF the University
of Tennessee, as In all respects the best
man to be called to the presidency Of the
University Of Virginia.
Flrst-He Is a Vrignian, and In his
veins flows some of Virginla's best blood.
Second-EIe is In the prime of vigo-
rors life. forty-cight years of age, In
robust health, with commanding presence.
and Is physically, morally and intellect
TALLY man.
Third-He Is scholar. His early edu-
cation was given him by his father, DR..
Robert L. Dabney, professor in Union
Theological Seminary, Virginia, chief Of
Stonewall JacksOn's stuff, professor Of
moral philosophy. University of Texas
Hc was graduated from Hampden-Sidney
College, where, in our old Virginia cur
riculum, the best in the world, under Vir-
gira's best professors, he laid that solid
foundatton-Latn Greek and mathemat-
ics-upon which he afterwards builded so
wisely and SO we'll He attended tho
University Of Virginia and studied under
Drs. Mallet, Francis II. Smith, Cabell and
others. He then, endorsed by Drs. Mallet
and Francis II. Smith, was elected to the
chair Of chemistry and mineralogy In
Emory and Henry College. where he
taught most successfully for one year.
acquainted with him and came in close
touch with his life and work. In which I
have ever since taken the deepest inter-
est. as he has steadily advanced In
thought, solldlty, nobleness OF purpose
and conservation to the work OF educa-
ton in our Southland. His light thrown
over this field has never been meteoric,
but rather a light that is always steady,
always growing brighter. and that gets
It's brightness from the source Of all true
light.
In 1878 he went to Germany and studied
three years at Berlin and Goettingen, re-
ceiving tho degree of Phi. D. at the latter
university. In recognition of his high
scholarly attainments he afterwards re-
ceived the degree Of LII. y. from David
son College North Carolina: Yale Uni
versity and Johns Hopkins University.
Fourth--Hs ability to bring things to
pass. Here quote from a distinguished
and my knowledge of Dr. Dabney makes
me fully endorse every word he says:
Il agree with you in thinking that DR..
Dabney Is the best man for the Univer-#
sty Of Virginia, and l know him as well
a one man can know another, think
both his weakness and his strength. His
strength. energy and ambition are prod-
gicus. and some Of his weaknesses are an
element OF fitness for the task to be ac-
complished there. He can bring things
to pass. no matter who or what gets in
his way. He Is possessed of two supreme
requistes-the ability to see something to
do and to select the right man to do It.
have never seen his equal inaenterprise.
No task appalls him. He is the real orig
inator of the Southern Education Board
at least. of Its practical turn. The Car
negie Institution at Washington Is the
al ac,llt ~ Il cot,n 90 n MAJ
university located at Washington. This
University of Tennessee was as dead and
hopeless a thing when he took hold OF 1t
as one could wish to see. ="
Just here wish to show his wisdom in
designating n certain man for great
work In Virginia, which shows his judg-
ment of men. When In 1891 the board WAS
seeking for president of Backsburg
College, Dr. Dabney was asked whether
he would accept the position II rendered
him. He replied that his obligation to the
Board of the Tennessee University, which
he was reorganiZing, rendered 1T impos-
sible for him to leave, but that he was,
glad to be able to recommend to us DR..
]. M, McBryde, president of the South
Carolina University who, he thought, oW-
Ing to some political troubles In South
Carolina, could be secured, and who, IN
his Judgment was a better man than hlm-
self for our work In Virginia. As re-
suit DR.. McBryde was elected president OF
the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical
College, now the Virginia Polytechnic In
stitute. So Virginia to-day enjoys the re-
suit of DIR. Dabney's wise discernment of
the right man for great and special
work In the magnificent school that crowns
the summit Of the Alleghanies at Blacks
burg, Va,
1Tifth--Dr, Dabney's work testIfes to his
eminent fitness. His work as student
has been not flashing. but steady. con-
slant and ever advancing, His work as a
writer is found to be sound, practical and
shows that he Is fully abreast with all the
live questions in the educational field to-
day, and that he is n leader of thought
In the educational work of this country.
His work In North Carolina was great
success In connection with the establish
ment Of their Experiment Station and
their Agricultural college, His work In
Washington under Mr. Cleveland was
found to be so efficient that by special
enactment Mr.. Mckinley sought to retain
him. His greatest work has been In bring
Ing the University of Tennessee from
dead college to n university whose power
is felt to-day all over the South, When
he began the annual income was S92,Uo;
now it Is $4,000; the plant WAS worth
$4,000; now it is worth $iSo,oW There
We're only ffty-one academic students and
eighty preparatory students; now there
are none In the preparatory and iS5 stu
dents in the academic, engineering and
agricultural departments, forty-slX IN the
law department, and in the medical and
dental departments 275. He began With
only one department., the academic, and
six professors and six instructors: now
there are five departments, twenty7four
professors and seventeen Instructors, not
Including the medical and dental deparl.
ly..., AL al n