Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-09
"Mv Dcar Covernor Stuart:

MY JJcaT Governor stuart.
II am vcnturinE To write TO ask your
favorable attention in behalf OF the
bill now before the state Legislature
for the establishment OF coordinate
college for women at the University
Of Virginia. and also to give some
OF the reasons why so manv OF our
people arc hoping that this bill Will
hc passed.
While our school at Manassas is ono
or the ten state agricultural high
schools, and we have always believed
in the vital Importance OF tho present
movement for vocational education.
ana have tried 20 make /: here the
practical Success It should be: yet We
have also always realized that the
public high school is for the whole
people and not for a class whether the
class be one desiring vocational train
ms. or tho older cultural preparation
necessary FOR professional work.
We have, therefore, not only nut
emphasis upon tho agricultural and
domestic science courses which the
Statc appropriations enable us to Of
Ter. but also on our college prcpara-
Tory course. We use III" standards
nj the examinations OF the General
college Entrance Examination EoarJ.
and tho graduates from this cours.
nave. therefore. entrance credit TO
practically all Of the greater colleges
in tho country.
me poHS. OF course, can now obtain
At slight expense a college training
OF The best quality at the University OF
Virginia. But the girls: there is prac-
icaHy no chance Tor any of them In
get college cducGtion evcept at urco.
expense. and then for The most part.
"w;.y from tie State. Moreover, 20
make the situation worse, the State Is
row demanding college training for
all high school teachers without Of
irri!iS them any opportunity to get
IL
Apart from this anomalous situa-
ZION. II is surely of utmost Importance
Tor Virginia to be Offering tho women
opportunities for higher trainir:, since
tho business OF education Is now not
only chiefly i'll their hands but most
or the work OF social reform, as we'll
II the state is to maintain ller old
traditions of high achievement il is
necessary that her women should have
generous preparation for the great
Work That is falling TO them Virginia
should rot fail to give them what MI
the other States are giving
FINALLY. II the women are to have
n state college, it is sincerely TO be
hoped that IL will take the form Of a
coordinate college at the IJniweret,,.
There would not only be the important
consideration of greater economy, but
inc pacing or the college in close con-
nection with the University would
make IT'S standards of scholarship equal
with the best. The reason, as we all
know, for the rank OF Ratclifs and
Barnard and Goucher Colleges Is that
by their intimate connection with the
great universities OF Harvard and Co
iumbia and Johns Hopkins their work
has been placed on the same high
plane. The coordinate plan, while
carving with it these advantages
would also offer 10 serious draw
backs since it would insure n sufficient
atmosphere of aloofness to appcase the
masculine traditions Of the University
Moreover If Harvard can have n CO.
ordinate college why not Virginia?
IN conclusion. please pardon tho
claim on your attention made by this
long letter: ii has been vcntured upon
because 1t voices the feeling and the
desires of many Of our people. Many
parents who have had their daughters
trained at our high school earnestly
desire for them n college education
\ number of our graduates who have
the ability to make fine hish-scbool
teachers, are not able to take m tho
work for lack of the required train
ing.
Hoping most earnestly, therefore
mat the women Of the State may soon
OBTAIN this great privilege, / am,
Very respectfully.
&c II OSROIrRNn