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

z City Asc ~ =" 1850
system the minimum cost to a Virginia
student at the University. including
board. university fee and contingent fee
OF $40, was 1912. as against less than
s125 at William and Mary and $3.50 at the
Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Virginia
families Of modest means, who consented
to be taxed for the support of the Uni
versity, were driven away from 1t by q
Chinese wall Of seclusion and forced to
send their SONS elsewhere. where the
burdens OF expense were not 80 great.
All the while the University continued
to get more consideration from the State
than any other school.
Was Not Removed.
While he emphasized the fact that the
University makes no effort to reduce the
living expenses Of students and simply
turns them over to the tender mercies OF
the clearinghouse keepers of Charlottes-
Vile" particular objection was made by
Mr.. Strobe to the University fee. which
he declared was twice as much as the
actual value of the items of expense 1t
was said to cover, and which he consid-
cred a device to tax Virginia students
exempt from the tuition fee. This Uni
versity fee, he said. was more mar the
tuition fee at William and Mary. He
read a letter from a former chairman Of
the faculty, written In 1902. and from
DR.. Alderman, written recently. both re-
ferring to the fee. At the time the first
letter was written Mr.. Strobe had begun
an attack on the fee system. The. chair
man had then agreed with him and given
assurances that within three years the
fee you'd be removed. The three years
had passed, and no change had been
made. Dr Alderman also agreed that the
fee was obnoxious. admitted that Its re-
moval would result IN bringing a large
number OF new Virginia students into
the University, but declared that with the
present appropriation the University could
not take proper care of the additions, and
generally could not get along ~satisfac-
toriIy IL the fee. netting some 5000 a
year, were removed. Mr.. Strobe pointed
out that the appropriation had been in
creased $500, and that II the 5000 were
deducted. 1t would still leave a clear
gain OF $1,000 a year to the University.
"I was approached about this matter
lust before coming here said Mr.. Strobe.
"by certain University people, who were
aware of my sentiments. 1 told them
I would urge the objections on the floor
OF the Senate, and as soon as the session
began I introduced a resolution inqu!ring
about the fee. On the same day l was
informed by the senator from Greene,
in whose district the University is located,
that the board of visitors had met and
decid ed to reduce the fee to $50. I hoped
this was true. because / had no desire to
take this step. which Is cry distaste-
full to me. / waited. but no sound came,
until I was informed that 1t was a mis-
take that the visitors had reduced the
fee. They were apparently willing to do
this when the appropriation was In dan
ger, but after they came down here and
felt the pulse of Their Legislature and
| hooar IN think that thew could get the
appropriation without cutting the fee
down, they took no action. and. gentle
men of the Senate. they will take no ac-
ton unless this amendment Is adopted.
$40 Too Much.
The argument of the Amherst senator
was manifestly carrying great weight
with the senator's.
VIII you accept a reduction to S2o?"
asked Mr.. Shackelford, of Orange, one
OF the leaders of the other side.
g" will not nswer Mr.. Strobe
promptly.
FIFTEEN" suggested somebody else.
st will accept So" replied Mr.. Strobe,
but think that is 500 too much
An indication was given that this was
not satisfactory.
Then let the Senate decide announced
Mr.. STROBE.
"An right, let the Senate decide them
responded Mr.. Chapman. of Greene.
God ahead, STROBE, You are right
called out Judge Mann, of Nottoway,
wheeling in his chair.
The discussion was resumed and the VIII
lingness of the other side to yield $50 of
the fee stiffened the attack. Mr.. Strobe
called attention TO a feeling of Irritation
In the rural districts against the Univer-
sity, which many in the rural districts
regarded as a rich mans school,"
.vr,Lotr q. ?, hc,,,I - iOfpriarte1 Mr.
Shackelford.
Before Mr.. Strobe sat down he pointed
out that 80 per cent. of1the students of
| the University came from a class COM
posing 10 per cent. Of the population of
the State, and that the 81 per cent left
sent only 10 per cent. of the students, not
because they did not want to, but be-
cause they could not do SO on account
OF the burden OF expense. He referred
again to his feeling of affection for the
University and declared that he was ac;-
ing for its best Interests in asking that
the fee be taken off. He wanted to open
new avenues and new-opportunit!es to
Virginia students. He wanted to take
the University into the homes of the
plain, common people. and say to them
In fact as well as In theory, this Is your
school, y. He wanted to make the Uni
yerstty what Jefferson intended 1t to be,
land what it is purported to be, but was not,
the GROWING achievement of the greet
free school system of Virginia.
when you do that, gentlemen" con-
Guided Mr.. Strode,' you will have en-
schrined the university In the hearts OF
the people, and when we come back
here again, 1t will be with such a public
sentiment behind us as Will warrant US
In giving to the university more money
than it has even got from the State"
IT oJ,c4 E~yparco $+4
Speaking for the university. Mr.. Chap
man declared that he agreed with Mr..
Strobe, as to the advisability Of n re-
duction of expenses. Flo earnestly wished
that the university could give everything
free, even board. But the means Of the
State would not permit this. The uni