The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-03
PRESIDENT pENNy,s DECISION.

PRESIDENT DENNY'S DECISION.
In common sorrow the friends of
education in Virginia will join the vast
company of alumni and students and
other members of Washington and Lee
University in inmenting the decision Of
President George II. Denny TO leave the
Ono old institution at Lexington and
take up his work anew at Tuscaloosa.
Unreasonable regret Will be felt not
alone in this state, but in many others
as we'll, that this strong educational
leader has decided to transfer his splen-
did abilities and his constructive ener-
nous appeals OF the press and the peo-
pie of this Commonwealth, President
Denny feels that he hears the one clear
call of duty. and that 1t bids him
leave the State in which for more than
decade he has striven nightly aud
higher education.
Mono can doubt that 1t is impossible
for President Denny TO describe the
wrench and sorrow that this decision
has cost me-" New and untried, he
assumed the headship Of a great uni
yersity when scarce thirty. and for
decade he has discharged his high trust
superbly, and leaves Washington and
Lee better because no served It Large
~ through his efforts has 1t been
brought about that that university is
to-day Serving, without sham or pre-
tense, the Commonwealth and the Ma
ton with greater power and efficiency
than at any other period of Its remark
able history" In all this service 1t has
been q notable fact that President Den
faculty and student body have been
harmonious, without single marrinS
exception upon the luminous record of
his presidency. All members of Wash
ington and Lee University have pro-
tested In mighty chorus that their
friend and leader should remain, and
his decision will cast fathomless gloom
upon the whole town OF Lexington.
Under President Denny's wise admin
istraton. the university ct Lexington
has "prospered in a remarkable de-
gree" Its endowment has been great
ly increased, and. In plant. in equip
ment, in standards and in members,
the institution has advanced rapidly.
TO this great work OF ten years the
retiring president gave himself gladly
and unreservedly.
With SO splendid a record of con-
structive leadership behind HIM, 1t is
not hard to divine the reason why the
University of Alabama should seek out
George H. Denny. Alabama has longed
for great educational head, and as
Lowell said OF Charles w. Eliot, of Har
yard, and as another said OF s. c. Mitch
ell. Of South Carolina, so may now
the friends OF the University of Ala
,bema exclaim: "We have found a cap
ness that President Denny is correct in
declaring that there IL greater oppor-
tunity in Alabama for constructive SER
vice to the entire system OF public edu-
cation than would be open 10 me at
this time in Virginia" There is un-
doubtedly an "ampler opportunity
there for this aggressive executive TO
serve in the general cause OF education.
Alsban ma has not developed the educa-
tional system which obtains in Vr-
rrip 40 n
perb opportunity for upbuilding. There
are but two State educational institu-
tions In Alabama-the University and
the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. The
other colleges of Alabama are negl!gi-
BILE. The potential Importance and sig.
n.hcance OF the University in the life
and thought of Ala bama and the South
are obvious. There the head OF the
University Will be the educat ional head
of the State. and in such a situation
1t Is not hard TO see what the broal
vision and the great energies of George
Fl. Denny can accomplish Great the
task. but the man VIII measure up 10 IL;
"Unfretted by single unhappy mem.
ory." this scholarly. able, magnetic Vir.
gilman goes to his new field, consc!ou:
That the mingled regret and goot
wishes OF Virginia follow him in al
the days that are to come. Nay tn
fullest measure OF success be his i,
Alabama!
EMANCIPATION OF MUNICIPALI-
TIES.