Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-06-02
IVA. SCHOOLS AND THE CARNEGIE
GIFT.

IVA. SCHOOLS AND THE CARNEGIE
GIFT.
The Carnegie gift of ten millions to
aid college professors who have grown
old or have broken down in their pro
fession, is hedged about by some re.
strictions which will cut off many
great institutions. We had hoped
Virginia would come in for a large
share of this, since many of those who
teach In her schools have grown gray
in the service, and are 80 eminently
deserving. The University of Virgin
ia drawing a. it does from the State
will be excluded. The Military Insti
tute goes out under the same head
the provision being that Estate ant
sectarian or UNCONVENTIONAL institu
tions are excluded. Randolph Macon
Roanoke College, Hampden- Sidney
and most of the female colleges IN the
State are sectarian or UNCONVENTIONAL
and will get none of the benefits, but
the question has arisen as to the atti
tude of Washington and Lee Univer
sity. This school occupies peculiar
position. The question as to whether
it Is sectarian has been fought over Oh
several occasions, but never exactly tc
finish. If Washington and Lee does
not hold portion of this gift we see
but little chance for any of it to come
to Virginia.
There was, some time ago, an effort
made by the Washington and Lee
alumni to get representation on the
Board of Visitors. We think it was
Mr.. Crntchnitt of New Orleans who
was most persistent in these efforts.
On one of those occasions, in order to
end Mr.. Crutchnitt's efforts and set
doubts at rest, a resolution was offered
by DR.. q. B. Stricken and adopted
and thus the matter stands. If this
resolution took it out of the sectarian
column it is out, If it did not it may be
in. At least the question is one of
interest in 80 far as the Carnegie gift
Is concerned. The resolution is as
follows:
1--WE very highly appreciate every
expression of interest in the Universe.
ty on the part of the alumni, and all
efforts Oh their part to enhance its
prosperity. We profoundly regret,
therefore, that we cannot see our
way clear to grant their request for
direct representation in our board.
The consideration that controls us is
the religious policy of the institution
adopted at the beginning and observed
ever since. As is we'll known this is
not sectarian schoOl-that is, the
peculiar tenets of no religious sects are
taught in it, nor is it a denominations
al school, that is, it is not under the
control of any church court; nor has
it ever been administered in the inter
est of any particular denomination, as
it's past history and present condition
plainly show; but it is Christian
school and has always been, and was
always intended to be, under the con.
troll of a board composed of majority
of Presbyterian Christians, represent
ing those by whom the school was
originally founded, and by whom its
affairs have always been managed.
'"This control we believe we have nc
right to surrender, and, therefore, be
cause 1t would be imperilled by the
proposed plan of alumni representa-.
ton, We are constrained with sincere
regret to decline it.
sit should be remembered, however
that the board is now with a single
| exceptiOn) made up of alumni, and
that it has always been so; and the
alumni may be assured that it will be
always continued so, and that the af
fairs of the institution will continue
to be administered in the future In tht
same broad and catholic spirit which
has always marked it's history in thu
past.
"As we have had assurances from
| the leaders in this alumni movement
that they have no desire to change th,
policy of the Institution, and as in tn,
respect mentioned their plan would
probably bring about that result, w,
trust We may anticipate their AGO vi
essence in the conclusion which tn
board has reached"
This resolution We admit, has to GU
mind never lifted the fog, and toda
the situation is as much in doubt a
ever before. We think the Carnegi
gift ought to be the means of setting
at rest question which nothing here
tofore has been exactly able to do, bu
which so important a University car
not well permit to be in doubt.