The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-02
William and Mary College.

Editor of The Times-Dispatch:
Sir.-I beg the favor OF a small pori.U'
of your valuable space 10 answer ~ let-
ter published in your columns Ivy a corr
spondent signing himself wv" o5jectlns
to tho transfer of William ana Mary
College to the State. After admitting that
the transfer was emincntly proper from 2
sentimental standpoint. this correspondent
advances several prudential reasons WHY.
In his opinion, this transfer should not
occur. One of his reasons is that the
transfer would operate unfavorably. II not
fatally. to the best interests OF the ven
cradle institution In whose history every
Virginian feels an honest pride. surely
this reason must appear very unsatistac-
| tory when It is understood that the move,
ncnt has the endorsement of me poaru
| of visitors. faculty and alumni of the
| institutions. who surely. above an. must
have it's best interests at heart. Anothcr
reason advanced is that the transfer VIII
What burden does II impose other thai.
what the State has already assumed:
1t has already created a normal schoo,
mt the college. and the appropriations VIII
continue, ever if no transfer occurs.
The whole matter of money is In the
frands OF the General Assembly. and they
can increase or diminish the amount as
pleases them, at any time, as well before
the transfer of the college as after u.
The Constitution especially excerpts VIII
liam and Mary College from the applica-
ton of the section inhibiting approprin-
lions 10 institutions not owned nor con-
trollcd by the State. But your correspon-
dent assumes that the Legislature will be
creating a rival to certain private col
leges in the State. which he names-col-
leges which are doing a valuable work, OF
course. but are in no way connected WITH
F! the state system of education. Now. how
absurd William and Mary College has
been in e%xistance two hundred years
or more. and, 1t is believed. will continue
to exist In composition with the S,ale.
4 passes .or not.
Nothing new will be, created by. the
proposed action of the Legislature There
liam and Mary will continue as they are.
The question is simply whether the State
should not take care of Its own money.
by It's own board of visitors, rather than
leave the care to a board only half of
which is appointed by the Governor under
| the existing arrangements. In fact. much
the larger part of the college revenue Is
derived from the State.
II the board is made wholly a State
board, it, will be able to look to the inter-
ests OF the State and see that the college
officers will be accountable to the state,
and be liable to punishment II they neglect
to d. their duty. The college is only
acting in obedience to demands made by
prominent members of the legislature
from time to time, that the State should
have the management Of its own appro-
priations. The present writer sees nc. dis
! honor In training teachers at the college,
whatever .'yN' may think about it.. On
the contrary, he believes that the college
can engage in no greater or more useful
work thar that which It is pursuing at
the present. The college is. In fact. mnk-
| ing an offer which is beneficial to all the
parties concerned. The State needs white
male teachers, and the college Is yield
ing all its buildings, lands and endow-
ment fund to the State for educational
| purposes.
There can be no earthly reason why
the college should not retain its status as
q college: for the collegiate course is part
and parcel of the normal course. just as
It Is at the State Female Normal School.
which Confers "a certificate recognized
by the state Board of Education. us equiv
any institution In tho State.
perity of William and Mary College as II
state institution will be a menace to the
other colleges. Never has competition
anon colleges been greater than 1t is
at present. and yet never were the COLI
leges of Virginia more prosperous than
they are to-day. The prosperity OF ono
means the prosperity of all. The sama
objection was formerly urged against
State support to our great University.
THE growth of the University would ruin
tho private colleges" 1t was said, burt has
this been true? Experience has proved
that the objection was n mere Pigment of
the imagination, q dream. and contrary
TO the laws of nature and education.
1t is unnecessary to lengthen out this
letter, az the writer has learned that
each branch sof the Legislature has
passed a bill endorsing the transfer
proposition.
OBSEEJrER