The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-13
s- MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS

,rrr THE SPECIFICATIONS.
Harry NJ. Smith. Jr. OF R'ehni"Au'
4, THOMPSON Brown. of Bedforo'
v,-.,atrick, of Lynchburg. and 'oh'
, watkins Of Chesterfield. ara
-,.., with the execution Of a trust
:. N. most vital importance TO 'he
reop,e of Virginia. AS supeo"'n..
~ the board of visitors OF inc
.,,,. Polytechnic Institute. to thehi
h.s heen delegated the Immensely o'A
so,,,, ,asx of recommending SUIT
.,ts nrasiient for that institution
sba. man who will largely make OF i""i
sbe destiny OF an educational
a,ab,s Of unique service to the peopie-
u tho discharge of their obisatioh
4. N. Commonwealth. the subcommit-
zee Of the board and the boaru
cannot exercise too. much care. In inc
.scis,on OF tn use trustees for Inc
pe,ple is bound up not only the
fare and growth Of the Virginia Pois-
technic Institute, but to a great de-
rree also the agricultural progress VI
III, Commonwealth The agrlcpHufAi
interests Of Virginia. vitality touchins
All the people, look to Blacksoure lot
leadership: il Virginia is to keep
abreast of other States IN the asfi-
cultural advance, the impulse ana the
scientific instruction must come ehiehs
from Rlacksburg. II wise leadership
a< secured for that Institution, its EN-
r,encv can be increased to such an
.xtent that it would become the pest
college of it's sort in the SOUTH seho-
ing back to the fields and farms OF
other States as we'll as of Virginia
men whose practical training IN ao-
vanced agriculture would be uhsur-
passed in thu nation.
II the Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Is to realize its greatest possible EN-
cheney. it must have an executive OF
unusual ability as its head He must
be a man who can chart the course
which the institute must traverse 10
reach its highest efficiency to the
people. and he must BE- a man who
will steer straight for the 3chieve-
ment of the purpose without fear ana
without favor. He must be a man VINO
can maintain competent assistance In
every department of the institution.
and who will chop out incompetencs
whenever il arises. He must be a man
whose training and experience fit him
peculiarly for the direction Of the az
fairs Of a great mechanical and agrl-
Of such independence Of policy and OK
such recognized fitness for the position
that his appointment will command
immediate commentator and respect
He mus, be a man who can devise and
execute far-sighted policies. He should
possess such knowledge OF the sub
5ects taught and methods Of teaching
employed IN the institute that he will
be able to revise, alter and insist upon
the instaI,ment Of new subjects or new
methods whenever necessary. He should
s. q man of such courage OF convic-
tion that he would be a real executive,
ever insisting more and more upon
efficiency everywhere
He should be a man who can speak
with authority concerning every part
OF the work Of his institution and
not a palmer of OF Of agreeable plati-
1udes at chapel. He must be a trained
wise and able con-tructIve genius. a
man who can put the Virginia Ucly
technic Institute on the rigt, road
and engineer her successfully forward.
He ought to be a man OF unquestioned
capacity and fitness for the place. He
ought to be the very Best man that
can be secured.
The next president Of the virginia
Polytechnic Institute must be made 10
II the specifications: the specifications
must not be made to # him. II the
right man cannot be found In virginia
th n let the board OF visitors search
the nation until he is found. The riEh;
man must be had no matter whence
he comes. The Virginia PoIytechni,
Institute must be directed by an exc.
eutive who can revitalize i, into 4
source o. immsasgrabIe service {" tn.
Commonwealth