The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-12
Voice Of the eople
Murray NJ. McGuire nepIica to Daniel
lInr

Murray NJ. McGuire ncpIics to Daniel
Harmon.
10 the Editor of Tho Times- Dispatc CHI:
Slr.--Daniei Harmon, IN The Times
Dispatch OF February 6, takes me to
task for the injustice he claims / did
on January 20.
No Injustice Done DR.. Alderman.
feel confident that a knowledge
or what occurred Will show that have
iiarinons lettor leads me to wonder
whether he knows or recalls the actual
iacts. He was present during the
gument on the Early-Rison bill before
the Senate committees He there heard
Mr.. Hunton cxpress his deep regret and
disappointment at DR.. Aldermans ST.
fence on the all-important question Of
whether anything should be done IN
this matter now, tho very act to which
my article referred, yet neither Mr..
harmon nor DR.. Alderman had ono
OF that act. The expressions Of APP
proval Of Dr. Alderman's course, which
Mr.. Harmon says he heard differ very
T eaehyo from the e;Xpressons which
closed. At the risk OF being guilty
OF some repetition. ! wish to call at
tention to certain things that Mr.. tIar-
mon has overlooked or forgotten.
Hequcst for Postponcmcnt Came From
BOurd.
Mr.. Harmon would make II appear
tual tue NcIndtlu LOT delay came from
he alumni. who opposed this bill. and
That II did not come at all until a
crisis was reached In the fate OF the
measure. In his Impotence he fails
to state that the alumni were seeking
TO defeat this measure and that this
demand arose out OF resolution OF the
board of visitors. OF which he Is him
that body to the Senate committee at
the very outset of the hearing granted
on the request OF the alumni, which
gayo them their first opporlunity TO
who desired to defeat the Early Risoii
bill. did not make this request for de-
lay. although as they said when 1t
thought. and still think. that 1t was
wise and fair and should have been
at once granted.
DIR. hIdermnn's Opportunities.
When the request for postponemcnt
had been presented by MIR. Irvine. OF
tho board OF visitors. the representa-
tivcS of the alumni! would have been
glad to see. Dr.. Alderman act in ac-
cordance with the resolutions of his
board, and ask that the Early-Rison
bin c. passed by, as this would have
university. If. however. he had thought
his board wrong. and had 80 stated.
and II he thought its wishes should
be diaregarded and the support OF the
majority of tho alumni thrown to tho
winds. and had asked that action on
the bill be taken at onco. they would
have felt that his Judgment was ut
fault. but they would ut least have
had the satisfnction OF knowing that
tho president OF the university had
sGuarcly met tho Issue.
:, On tho other hand. In reply to Mr..
Harmon's question. ! venture 10 sug-
kest that IL DR.. Alderman considered
The board light, and the support of
the largo majority OF the alumni worth
saving to tho university, IL would huye
been possible, az well as honorable for
him to have counselcd delay MS tho
board did. despite his former appear
House and Senate committees. and de-
spite the fact that the advocates of
this measure looked upon him as an
Situation Changed Since DIR. AIderman's
First Appearance.
IT should be remembered that not
until after that Joint meeting at which
timo prior to tho final hearing before
the Senate committed. had there been
| any recognized opposition to the Early
nis on 6iii ,,o on the part Of the alumni
alumni had not realized tho situation.
, The faculty. DR.. Alderman, the board
OF visitors and numerous organizations
had been quoted as In favor of the
mud at last become evident that few
OF thosn thus claimed as It's support
ors had ever, seen the Early Rison bill
or considered It's provisions when they
expressed themselves, except DR.. Al
: derman, and he admitted that he had
not grasped tho meaning OF It's provls-
| ions. Strong and widespread opposi-
ton had developed among the friends
| Of the university Tho board of visI-
tors had expressed disapproval OF the
that 1t be passed by. They pointed
out tho value OF tho cordial and united
| support of the alumni. and they wished
! to retain It,
DR.. Alderman Could Have United with
tho Board.
What complaint could have boon
j lodged against DR.. Alderman II he had