The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-29
Tho CONSULTATIONS of tho Medical

To tho Editor OF Tho Times Dispatch:
Sir.-The article by DR.. George
Tucker Harrison on tho proposed con-
soltdatlon OF the University OF yir-
sinta medical department with tho
Medical College Of Virginia. which was
printed In your columns on December
u. was SO forceful and 80 eloquent I'm
its appeal to the alumni of tho uni
verslty that 1t has no doubt called
forth comment which have not seen.
Tho prosperity of the university and
the standard OF medical education are
both so vital to the people of Virginia
that any question touching either or
both should be thoroughly discussed.
AS an alumnun Of the university,
though not OF the medical department,
simply wish to ask II DR.. Harrison
Is not moro Influenced by simple un-
Willingness to change II state OF things
or long standing than by the reasons
Tor and against My reasons for think
Ing that DR.. Harrison has never APP
pi cached the question fairly are as fol-
lows: Ho begins by protesting against
this radical movement" sums UP the
reasons for 1t as simply mercenary. and
suggests that ono Of tho advocates OF
1t is conscntinE against his WILL This
certainly sounds like the prejudice
OF n born conservatives, Of one to whom
any change is per sc a bad thing And
In his next words l,e removes all doubt.
"A good motto" he says. rs quieta
ron movere. Let well enough alone.
1t is risky to embark on an unknown
sea-
Again want to insist that can
not judge OF the merits of the cues
ton from technical medical point of
view. and have not rrade up my mind
on the subject. but can and do know
that such a standpoint OF blind In
ertia as that Will mover suffice In this
or any other question. That logged
devotion to all that has been and is
was once tho pride OF many Virsinians,
but 1t simply will not do NOWADAYS,
II drives those who really want to do
what Is right into the mistake of
adopting changes too rashly, 1t may
be
In community such as present day
virginia, striving on all hands for life
and freedom. and aware of the rank
growth of old abuses that must be
removed. this purblind policy of "let
well enough alone" Is maddening Good
men who raise this cry forget that they
are strengthening the hands Of all the
defendants of tie fee system in State
offices the lax election laws and po-
litical apathy that mako it possible for
candidate for Governor OF Virginia
to be elected without any opposition.
and the horrible condition of illiteracy
in Virginia, which the Legislature
placidly accepts year after year When
ever anybody objects to n proposed
change In Virginia on the score OF
things being well enough alone" /
feel tempted to ask IL he really means
that, or is talking in his sleep. No
body can look at the State of Virginia
and think. without seeing, that If 1t Is
risky to embark on an unknown sea-,
1T is also risky to accept things as
they are.
Now as for the proposition in par
ticular. and Dr. Harrisons arguments
against 1t. Is 1t not true that the
advocates OF the proposed consolida-
ton of the two medical schools favor
1t on the ground that there Is not room
In Virginia for two first rank schools
of medicine: that the second rank
schools are apparently doomed to n
harder and harder struggle for exist
ence; and that as a result of the adj
vancemcnt of scientific knowledge, no