The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-23
II the Wicked flourish, and thou suf-
fer, be not discouraged. They are fat
ted for destruotlon; thou art die.cd for
heaith.--Thomas Fuller.
The Plan Is Feasible.

Last month in New York City the Union
Theological Seminary raised 100000 to
buy n plot of ground adjacent to Column
bia University. in order to get tho bene-
1T OF the great library and other fncili-
ties In that institution. This is striking
proof OF the necessity for the schools to-
day to cooperate, II they are to prosper
Around Columbia University are grouped
already Barnard College, for women
Teachers College. the Horace Mann
School. the Hebrew Seminary, the Pu-
liter School of Journalism, and now
the Union Theological Seminary In
adopting such cooperative plan, Colum-
bia University is aggregating about itself
one of the most influential educational
agencies in the world
Louisville has for some months been
making an effort to develop a university
In that strategic city. one citizen Offering
subscription of $4,000 toward the found
ing of such an institution there. Mem
phis also is mooting the same question,
believing that its location and increasing
wealth demand such educational facili-
!
Gently to remove the Presbyterian School
at GAINESVILLE, Tenn, and also tn one
at Columbia. S. c., to the capital Of Geor-
gia. with view TO giving greater eff
cheney to these schools by their location
in thriving city, and by their proximity
to other institutions of higher learning.
Richmond therefore. in its present ef-
fort to bring into cooperation the several
admirable colleges which have long been
thriving here, is acting in accordance
with strong tendency which is assert
Ing itself in many other cities.
The Richmond plan is unique. so far
as We know. In essence 1t is that the citi-
zens OF Richmond will furnish a central
plant of common utilities and site to
each of these colleges. A suitable tract
of land of about 200 or more acres. It has
been found. can be secured for a compar-
atlVeiy small sum. The central plant of
common utilities. II started now, can grow
throughout the decades. At present there
would be need of building only a GEN.
tral library, which would be the core
of the city OF colleges. Afterwards, an
auditorium. an athletic field, a natural
history museum, an intercollegiate Y. NJ.
Z. A. could be-. erected. as money was
forthcoming. Upon tho site suggested for
the University OF Richmond, namely.
Sherwood Park. in the vicinity of the
Union Theological Seminary, there are all
ready an artesian we'll, tank and pump
u,tb
cadamized road. and street car facilities.
a board of business men, representing the
entirety OF the interests and resources
OF Richmond. would own and control the
central plant OF common utilities, and
would give TO each college site OF about
twenty-five acres adjacent.
Nine colleges might possibly get the
benefit OF these general facilities in edu-
cation. Why should the citizens of Rich
nond be asked to build nine college IL
braries, when one large one will serve
tho needs OF every college? Why should
the citizens of Richmond be asked to
contribute to nina college auditoriums,
when ono such building will answer for
all the coileges7 Why should We strive
TO furnish nine power-houses, nine Y. M.
c. A. halls for college use, nins athletic
dslds for students. when ona OF each OF
these Will meet every need on tho part
OF all our institutions?
Not only does the cooperative plan make
for economy; 1t makes also for efficiency.
Grouped around the central plant each
college will share the Intensity of light
rhat comes from the interaction of intel
lectunl forces. For instance. Professor
Dodd, of Randolph-Macon College, recent
ly brought his senior history class to
Richmond in order that they might hear
II, Morse Stephens deliver the Thomas
lectures. This involved expense to each
student: for, in addition to railway fare
they had the expense OF the hotel over.
night. Why should not all the students
and faculty OF Randolph Macon College
hear the noted lecturers upon the Thomas
foundation. IL that college vera located
in the city and suitable auditorium
provided?
The feasibility of the University o.
Richmond lies in tho fact that the col
* leges remain absolutely independent no
single iota in the charter OF any col
lege which may come to share in III
benefits OF the central plant would hay
to be changed. For example. the Unio,
Theological Seminary IS derioninational
both in ownership, personnel and course
OF instruction; yet IT can enjoy the ad
yantaees of the central plant known n
the University of Richmond. Each col