The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-14
COORDINATE woMAN's COLLEGE.
EDWIN r. cox,
Speaker.


One of the most interesting and important
bills before the general assembly was defeated
last night In the house of delegates by a vote
Of II to II. This bill was known as the CO.
ordinate woman's college bill. 1t had been be-
fore the general assembly practically from the
opening Of the session. 1t has had number Of
advocates, but the leader in the fight for the
passage of the bill was Mrs b. B. Munford. of
Richmond. This lady has by her great ability,
coupled with her tact and genuine womanliness.
won the respect OF the general assembly, and has
secured support for the measure. which it would
not otherwise have received but for her per-
sistent tactfu and tireess labors She has set
an example to those who believe in a great
cause and The Tuginian's only regret at the de-
feat Of the bill is her disappointment.
But The Vrgintan believes that the general
assembly acted wisely. At one time The Vir.
ginian thought that the State should establish a
womans college, but after a more thorough
study of conditions 1t seemed evident that such
a college should not be established now, and
that II established now. 1t should not be estab-
lshed in connection with the University of Vir-
ginta. And so while not discussing the matter at
any length, The Vir1nidn has stated that it did
not think that the time had come for such
action. and only few days ago 1t declared
that while it believed that the advocates of the
bill should be given a vote on the measure, yet
II could not favor the passage of the bill.
1t was quite surprising to read In Hdrper'$
HefRfu the abatement haf TfrniufUn tic eon.
troled by a man who is prominent as State
wide prohibitonst. and who a Methodist
leader is much interested In the Methodist col
lege for women at Lynchburg Va. Against these
several specific obstacles. and against stand
patism in general. those who favor the college
have nothing to rely upon except the general in
telligence OF the community" In view of the fab
treatment which The Virpinian has given to the
advocates Of the proposed woman's college this
| is exceedingly ungracous charge and Ia prob
ably made by one who has not been on the field
and witnessed the conflict at close range. It is
matter for congratuation that those In active
charge OF the fight have shown better judgment
| than to drag into il such extraneous and foreign
issues.
] Neither Statewide prohibition nor the Methe
dist church have been factors in the fight agains
the proposed college. and certainly neither one
| of them has had anything to do with the position
OF The Tirginian upon this question and thu
effort TO bring personalities into the discussion Is
entirely unwarranted by anything which has oc
CURED.
! The Tir9inidn is not a "standpat" newspaper
except in its stand for the oldfashioned virtues
which 60 to make up genuine manhood ant
womanhood, which virtues never change Thi.
paper stands for everything which makes fol
genuine enlightenment and uplift OF the people
/ It especially stands for nine months term for
primary, grammar and high school grades In
every city town and country district OF Virginia
"The Methodist leader" to whom reference Is
made in the quotation from Harpers Weekly
was the Trainer OF the first high school bill
passed by the Virginia legislature and from the
passage of that bill there has resulted one of the
most extraordinary developments ever witnessed
In the educational life Of the State. That same
Methodist leader strongly opposed the establish
ment OF the three additional normal schools on
the ground that they were not necessary: that
the State could not afford to do so at present and
that the chief duty of the State was to provide
better primary. grammar and high schools; to
exclude all high school students from the Farm,
vile Normal and TO confne the work of that in.
stitution to the training OF teachers In normal
school courses
This position has unfortunately been justified
by results. The State is heavily taxed to provide
suitable equipment and buildings for the new
normal schools. Having put It's hand to the
plough. IL is not easy to turn back, and for many
years II will take every dollar that the State
can spare from the primary, secondary and high
school grades TO properly equip and maintain
the four normal schools When the State OF
Virginia furnishes proper school facilities for the
nelghborhood schools. 1t will be time enough to
talk about the establishment of a State college
for women. The Yirginian has stated that the