The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-22
ALUMNI SEEING spOOKs.

Z. seemls clear that the recent meeting OF
aaunsa5 ct the University Of Virginia which
iswxses resolutions OF opposition 10 the propos-
10 sss-ssasns,e college fer women allowed it
shT II become unnecessarily excited an
~Na raare fsneied than real
M eravsmen OF the alumnis objections is
4Aas SAs bill II at entering wedge which viii
Yrxss@Aar lead TO the co-education OF the sexes
~ al departments of the University of vir-
Ess4a- Nothing could be more gratuitous than
as assan psion Nothing to support 1t has
/ a~xn said argued. or implied The President
&C tie University Is himself on record in favor
M the bill and against the principle of co-edu-
rens of the measure one and all who have sup
ported 4nC encouraged the moymeent, have de-
cIxred solernly and in good faith that there
u no intent that such contingency shall be
permitted to happen. Against such an assur-
ance is a fear expressed by certain alumni,
which can reasonably have its source only IN
! an nnreasoning panic. To suspect such pur-
pose is simply and solely to question the faith
in which the bill itself is drawn and the faith
of every one who has supported 1t. from the
President OF the University down.
We have heretofore had occasion to explain the
reasoning under which the advocates OF higher
education for women place their belief that
the place for such college is at Charlottes-
vile, and that its better interests demand that
Ii be coordinate with the government and con-
troll of the University. We believe that the
advocates of the measure have made out a
strong case, but even II they have not. 1t does
not appear that the present bill should there
fore be incontinenty done to death. For. after
VII, what does the bill declare, except the
principle of committing the State to the higher
intakes no appropriation 1t puts the State TO
unequiyocal action except the bare asser-
eaion of a right clearly just as to be unques-
tionabe. AS to CO. education II explicitly re-
pudates il in principle. and leaves open only
the bare possibility of instruction in the same
Glasses of women far advanced as to be en-
gagged in the pursuit of post graduate courses.
Even in this greatly limited degree. the ques-
or go education would, Of course. be left with
the President and the Board of Visitors of the
University If any conceivable species OF "eo-
-eaHeatien.. could come fFeiH the passage OF
such a bill 1t would have to come the ex-
press act OF governing body. the vast major
lily OF whom are themselves alumni of the in
stitution
III For these reasons, think that the action
Of the small body of alumni at Richmond was
taken hastily and in the flush OF q misguided
sentiment not representative of the great body
Of the alumni in Virginia and throughout the
country. The question is. simply. whether or
not virginia shall at this session pledge itself.
when the means shall be available. to the ex
tension of It's educational system TO include
the higher education OF women. That such
action commends itself to the conscience OF
sle people generally, there can be little doubt.
In mistakenly seeking to block and defeat such
purpose at this time the alumni will. in
our opinion find themselves distinctly without
public sympathy