The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-26

EXTEND THE CA
TO T
Rey DR.. r. H. Pitt. OF this city, has
addressed to Dr. H. S. Pritchett. presf-
dent Of the Carnegie Foundation for
the advancement OF learning strong
open letter urging that the benedts
OF the foundation be extended to th4
drnominationa1 COLLEGES. He says:
Let us take a single case. It 10 taken.
not because 1t differs from a great
number OF others. but because I am.
myself. more familiar with Its policy
and principles. Richmond College was
founded seventy-five years ago by an
association OF Baptist men. who were
anxious TO provide some means for edu-
eating their ministers. After few
years the institution. originally de-
signed for minister's only, was enlarged
In It's policy so as to include students
of every sort. A board OF trustees was
organized and charter secured. ana
the institution entered upon what has
been a long. honorable and usefu
career From the beginning of its
broader course to the present hour,
there has been not beneht which II
has had to bestow, which was not open
to men without distinction OF religious
belief.
No sectarian test has been applied
In the selection Of trustees. the choice
OF members OF the faculty or the ad-
mission of, students.
AS a matter OF fact, all three OF
these bodies have through many years
contained representatives OF other re-
ligious faiths than that which was rep
resented BY the founders OF the IN
stitution. 1t Is true at the same time
that this institution has relied almost
wholly for Its pecuniary SUPPORTS
endowment equipment and the Ike.
upon our Baptist people. and II Is also
true that in recog nition OF this support.
and with a view to securing sub
sfantial and organized constituency the
institution has gladly and fully recog-
nized the right OF the denomination In
an indirect way TO determine the board
of trustees. But no denomlnational
tenets are taught in its halls and no
ldenominational tests are applied IN any
of Its departments. though the fact 81
hts rightful denominational ownership
| and mana cement Is neither concealed
nor obscured
Have Done Much to Help.
AS have before said. this is not a
peculiar or exceptional case. There are
many such Institutions in the South
The work they have done for sound
learning. the help they have rendered
ITO struggling. ambitious and impover-
ished youth. cannot be well overesti-
mated. At time when the public
school system Of the South had not
been born, and when State universities
were beyond the reach Of many young
J men whose resources were slender.
:, these institutions opened to them the
/ door OF opportunity They not only did
( a valuable and enduring work but one
| which. so far as we can see. could not
have been done In any other way. Many
OF the best. worthiest. ablest and most
I influential citizens of all these South
Eern States were trained for public use
fulness In these institutions.
i After tho State had undertaken the
work OF public education. the good
services OF the denomInattonal college
were still needful andAwere sttll con-
i tinued. IN later years the State itself
has, with what may almost be described
as cruelty. entered into q sort Of re-
ElentIess competition with these coll
Eleges. But. nevertheless these institu-
lions have persisted In the face Of
almost insnperable difficulties. There
4 4. still great work for them to do.
At the present time. throughout the
i South It is very nearly true that out
oe 3 every 900 young men who nsgh-
SEbe greatly benefited by college
training, not more than one finds. his
Eway into the halls OF an institution
Of higher learning. We are lighting
! for the other 499. Surely the bis heart-
/ ed, arge-nlnd ed creator Of the founda-
j Stiong which you adminlsterS must SYM
A pathize with the philanthropic purpose
Of helping these 49s to the best educa--
i ca tional advantages. And surely II ne
4 und erstood the temper and spirit OF the
4 small college in the South which Is
I almost uniformly o denorntnattonal col
5tlege. ifI he were familiar with the Work
tEtbnt thew have done, and are still try
Ling to do, if he keenly realized the
EIsdiflculties which encompass them, ne
lEwould enlarge the scope OF MS Ioun-
d dation 50 as to bestow It's dement's upon
the men who have labored so unseltisn-
" and so usefully N hese &C s no , ots. 5
Discu4sions Almost Insecmly.
n 1t is noted that recently, particularly
In this irnme diate section, the pa pers
Ireligioua and secular. have been d scuss-
i ing whether this college or that could
4 Mot 80 construe Its charter and SO, In
sEterpret It's own spirit as to bring y
within the range OF your benefac tfon,
THESE discussions have been sometimes
almost aunse ana1y, s3 rs
It has been publicly charged thai
some denominat ionnf institutions, feel
ing the need of such help as Is turnish-
ed by your found al lon. have been NJ "
Ling ia sacrifice In some degree the In
IterastsS az The people who have created
them. and who are expected mainly te
| Isupports them. Whether the charge be
true or not In any given ca 90, he gan,
eral fact rerna lns, ri Of Whlc iii lou bttess
syou have been made paint " aware
\ Efha YOUR, FOUND ton prosouta to- pooI