The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-21
LEGISLATION ron ro-MouRow.

LEGISLATION FOR To-MORRow.
Legislation upon education demands
peculiar wisdom, for II is legislation
for to- morrow. We to-day. from hard
bought experience. guided by some far
sighted vision of ths future, must pro-
vide for the next generation what
training they Will need under new con-
ditions that we perhaps may I've to
see. but the impetus of whose spirit
eYs shall never understand. Doubly
stmcilt is II to foresee under what
conditions the young adults of both
aexes shall be taught those things that
will enable them to realize themselves
best in mutual holpfulness ana brouu
service.
Part OF this problem will be faced in
rhe Senate oday IN tho vote upon the
bill TO establish g. coordinate woman's
college near tho University OF vir-
sinja. We believe the women OF Vir-
6in!a, for their pas; service, II for no
other reason, arc entitled 20 the sam,
opportunities for higher education as
are given her men. And 1t IS the prov
tnce OF their legislators with the most
painful care and thought to docidS
how these opportunities shall DO Of
fercd. 1t is tho fundamental fact of
giving tho teachers, the wives and
mothers OF tomorrow the Hottest OPP
portunity for prepa ring themselves for
Sho service OF the Commonwealth
There Is no question OF the right TO
hay. such an institution. The sole con
sidcration Is the advisabiiity OF CO.
ordinate college nj the university. Is
this the best plan? Or should sepa
1ete college be established elsewhere"
There should be no thought of tempo
rary economy. Virginia women are
worthy of the best.
One argument against the plan is
that CO. coordination will inevita b y mean
coeducstion. The belief seems grow
ing among educators that coe<iucation
SIS not a success. And this. not for
theoretical reasons. but for the very.
practical one that men and women diff
ser SO In abilities and aims that ii IS i'm
possible TO teach them together in one
Class and get the b est results. How
eve. equal the SEXES may be, they are
different and nave different needs
Thers is no moral value involved. mere
ly question OF efficiency. Can the
proper safeguards against coeducation
be provided? And If so. will this single
university OF Virginia secure the ends
desired?
Many Of the alumni of tn. university
object to this protect or the ground
that 1t will inJure the university as
public servant Part Of this may b,
sentimental tradition, but deeper is the
feeling that the.GReatest good the unit
Ners!ty has o,.er -aoneEthe State Is by
sending out men with an ideal OF per-
9onal integrity love of truth. honor
snd faith. II has stood for manhood
End character, To many men its In
tangible spirit has bodied forth the re-
elty OF q religion wherein they might
find faith to withstand tie temptations
OF dou btful world They doubt in all
sincerity the wisdom OF risking hurt
10 this spiritual essence. more precious
than ali learning Will the presenc. OF
their sisters. in pursuit OF me same
truth mean this hurt!
These questions should be answcreo
With grave deiiberation Thor. is no
need TO handicap new institution with
opposition that cannot he overcome
Thsre IS no need TO sacri'lce a present
good for future hope ANA equally
there is no reason why these Obstacles
,shouit outweigh the hope. It is a
question whether by THIS plan the STATE
can fulfil best her own ends in tn, can
cation of both sons ana daughters Tor
social service and Individual happiness
But whether th!s college be estab-
)ished at the university OF clsewhers.
The Ttrnes- Dispatch is irrevocably de-
voted TO the cause of higher education
Tor women.
BRING OUT TIE WEST FEE nILi..