The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-22
They LEAVE
!. THE. BOARD
Two Trustees Of Columbian
II University Resign Because Of
Proposed Chartcr Changes.
.BApTlsTs ARE INTERESTED
Sentiment Among Them OPP
posed to Chang ident
Needham's Explanation.

posed to CtlanSe----IET resident
Needhan's Explanation.
AS the outcome Of the present state OF
the affairs OF tho Columbia University in
washington two we'll known gentlemen
Immediately In sympathy with the son
timents of Virginia Baptlsts upon tho
subject, have, in rather warm letters, adj
dressed tho university authorities. tcn-
dered their designations as members OF
the Board Of Trustees OF tho institution.
x. The fact IS nscertained here through
indirect sources, but Is unquestionably
true. The two trustees are Mr.. ], J.
Darlington, Of washington. and Mr.
Eugene lowering, of Baltimore. Both are
prominent and influential gentlemen, and
both are we'll known to tho Baptists Of
Richmond, who, so far as Is known. cor
daily endorse the stand they have taken.
Mr.. lowering Is q. brother Of Mr.. Joshua
lowering, who was recently In Richmond.
During his visit an effort was n1ado to
get something from him about the resig-3
nations, butfhe stated that his long abb
ssence abroad had made him unfamiliar
with the present status Of the uniyersi-
Ssty.s affairs. n It has since been learned
that his brother and Mr.. Darlington have
withdrawn from the trustees.
ri Virginia Baptistss Alternated.
\, The university matter Is Is entangledf ~ in
q web OF history that dates back many
years. It has created q great stir in this
4 city, and IS gradually serving to aliena 70
the Virginia Baptists from a school they
have in the past patronized and assisted
to support. Dr.. James Nelson, Of this
city; Or. George W. Beale and the late
DR.. j. B. Deans were alumni Of the unl-
versity, and there are many others In the
State Dr.. Charles Fl. Ryland, Of Rich
mond College, was once one Of the Co
lumbia trustees. The late Dr. Charles
II. Cooke taught In the university before
The came ito Richmond. Local Baptists
ARE watching the shington situation
& with interest.
1.-The chief cause for the stir-up is @
virtual charge that the University au-
thorities would turn the school over to
tho national government,ifor the sake Of
securing more money. 1.-THE University
was founded by LII Their 1,ich, tho great
BAPTIST missionary. who Travelled Through
Virginia and the South lin tduest OF funds
Swherewith y to begin the: work. He re-.
ceived the cordial support of Virgtnians
who gave him their money Il and sent
their sons to ysthei school. When Rich
mond College VAS started some Of this
patronage was defleetedli Il from Column
hians n where 1t hads nearl1 all been orig
inally3 bestowed Still some Of it kept
up ana the Baptists of thea State have
up to this time, felt intimately attach
ed to the inst tution. 1t 3 v
Colum bian. was designed by. its foun-
der as a contribution of the denomina-
ton to Christian. education. the bene-
fits OF (which men Of any and all screeds
might reap. Yet it was to be controlled
and supported by the Baptists. In 1898
the charter was amended SO as to give
specific and technical expression to this
fact The proposition at, present is to
strike out this clause of. 1888. The Uni
versity authorities declare. that the
change Will merely restore the status
quo Of the University under Luther Rice,
the Virginia Baptists take the view that
the University needs money and wants
to cater to H-certain class. who object
to the school because It is denomina-
tional and that therefore the clause
eliminated. In other words. the school
Is cutting off from the denominati Ion and
the denomination In Virginia resents it.
Hot Controversy.
F. The Religious Herald is giving much
editorial space to Its strong condemna-
ton of thu course of the University. One
of Its editorials was shown to President
4Needham, OF the University, and he has
made reply In Washington paper.
HFIo says tie Herald doen not know or
has neglected 1 to say, that Luther Rice
ana his associates provided "that per-
sons of every religious denomination shall
be capable Of. being elected trustees; nor
shall any person, either as president,
professor. tutor or pupil, Pc re FUSED al
lmittance into said college, or denied any
of the privileges, immunities or adyan-
tages thereof, for or on account at his
sentiments In matters of reli gion. "
The clause which Is now being sought
to repeal says President Needham. was
an amendment to the original charter
passed by Congress In 1893, providing
that ''two-thirds of said trustees and also
the president of the University. shall be
members OF regular Baptist Churehes.1
The administration Of the University,
Continues the president. now believes
that il is wiser and broader to return
to the original charter. With this In
view, a Bill has been introduced in Cons
gress to this effect and has already pass
ed the Senate.
The Real Issue.
The Herald. IN its issue that has just
appeared, returns to the charge, and de-
clares that the president, Is not telling
the whole story, Says the Herald;
Inn fact which President Needhanl
mentions was we'll known to the Herald,
and if President Needlams statements
were entirely unreseryed we should have
>g s'n for ''o our editorial which called i
forth but has President Needham told
ths whole story.?2 he change m; made g, y! II
! legal and technical form 10 a fact which
had been recognized throughout the sew
ents five years of tho history OF the
school, It Is well known that tue purr-.
not Ia restore the status, quo, Prior to
1898 the Institution was distinctly recog-
njEei as q BAPTIST institution, the contrl-