The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-10
Saul Among the Prophets Of Reaction

our boasted Southern chivairy. 1t is
still one-third off for, women. Hats
off in the elevator! Cne-third off
everywhere elsel
Co-etiucation.
DR.. Cannon gets around. as do the
rest. in time, to the co-education
DOGGY. There are doubtless some
young men and some young women
who ought not be educated In prox-
unity to each other. The age, aspira-
tons and temperament OF the indi-
viduals ought to determine. The
parents and guardians. in every case
can Judge. Besides. Ae opening OF
the woman's college at the University
of Virginia will not close the other
colleges for both men and women.
Even though the worst prognostica-
tons of the prophets of reaction were
in danger of being fulfilled as to co..
education, there could yet be no very
great danger following.
In the first place. we have the tes-
timony Of Bishop Denny. Virginia
gentleman, a conservative OF con-
seHyat4pes,- who saw no danger In edu.
eating his own daughters along with
young men in a great Southern uni
versity.
In the second place. DR.. Cannon
himself has been sending his own sons
for several years TO a co-educationai
college In North Carolina. II his sons
were In no danger from co-education
sons or daughters be from the casual
intercourse of a coordinate college at
the University OF Virginia.
VSx,<, Uuxxin- SSrrfnxo
The suggestion concerning the ju-
nior college as the solution of the
problems incident to the freshman
and sophomore years may be sane and
practical.
But whether so or not, Ii La utterly
beside the present discussion. The
question at issue and the only ques-
ton. Is one OF equal advantage at the
university for men and women. 1T
is not question of the Junior college
for women and a standard college for
men, but standard college for both
men and women. under the most
favorable conditions possible.
Needs OF Common Schools-
1t is the time-honored practice of
the reactionary to play off one duty
or obligation against another. The
home missionary is played off against
the foreign. In this instance II is the
common school against the college.
One day a typical company OF this
sort came to great philosopher.
With ingratiating smirk and stroke of
long. white beard they said: we
1.-THE the very mint and annise ana
cummin' of our gardens. We must
be excused from these new tangled.
so-cailed wetghtfer matters OF the
law" The philosopher, with one
keen thrust let the wind out OF their
inflated sophistry: These things
ought we to have done and not TO have
left the other undone."
IL Virginia has neglected any APP
preciable number of her children 1t
Is a reproach to her.
But the facts demonstrate that Vtr-
ginia has gone ahead In provision for
her rural children. of their DISPOSE
ton to improve their opportunities.
The figures indicate that there are
$4,000 iiliterates between the ages af
ten and twenty. About 10000 OF
these are whites. But over against
these, there are 3S.400 vacant sittings
in the schoolhouses of the State
There may he instances where the
schooihouses are beyond reach Of
scholars The indications are that far
more children voluntarily neglect
school privileges than are neglected by
school provisions.
The problem OF Virginia Is the ire
mendous inertia of the rural school
population. And the immediate and
practical answer is Statewide COM
pusory law. II Is very easy 10 realize
on per capita this and per capita that
Isut the question is. how many chill
dren get the benefit of the money
f4y~ y,
school figures of 1914-15 indicate that
for each OF her enrolled children.
white and colored. Virginia appropri-
ated s15.19. But for every child that
actually went to school. and improved
it's opportunities. the State gave
*.2.4i. And for every white child
that actually attended school, the ap-
preparation was s25.70.
The real outstanding problem in
rural Virginia Is not new school ia
citities. but a new school spirit The
real need for bill Jones' boy" out I'M
Allegheny is not so much n new
for the boy, but a sharp
stick after Bill Jones himself Make
Bill Jones give that hoy of his a
chance at the school as 1t is.
The short school term is cited. The
trouble in rural Virginia is not the
III hLll Liz.
seven months farm term. The farm
term begins early in the spring and
lasts till nearly Christmas in the fall.
The trouble IN not with school poptl-
alton. neither is it with enrolment.
But the trouble is with attendance.
And until the attendance is brought
up To present facilities by such COM
pu'sory education law as will reach
Bill Jones in Allegheny, and every
other delinquent daddy in the state,
any large increase of appropriations
is practical throwing away Of good
money.
In the mean time. while Bill Jones
Keeps his boy on the farm, hundreds
of aspiring, ambitious and capable wo-
men are asking for share In the al
ready established university OF the
State. They are not asking much In
the way OF cash appropriations; they
arc asking for recognition and a share
in the things as they now exist and arc
paid for by all the people.
The Real Objection.
Now after all Is said. the real OBJ
lection is not in the amount ofsrorey
asked or the expense of establishing
the college.
If the women were willing to take
the money and go off to Farmville
with 1t they would be welcome to two
or three times as much as they ask.
49, L. A~~