Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-11
IN Experiment i'm Dcmorruc,

I MAS sound strategy mat dictated the
l amendment by its friends Of the bill TO
establish 4 coordinate college for women at
the University OF Virginia, to eliminate
all present appropriations and provide that
no appropra tons shall be made by the State
Until endowment fund Of $4,000 has
been obtained by private subscription. As
the bill stands ia the Senate. it is in effect Il
charter for this institution-the same sort of
charter that nearly Il hundred years ago the
iar-sishtcd craftsmanship of Thomas Jefer-
obtained from the General Assembly for
the university itself
The amendment reduces opposition To the
measure TO the classes TO whom we have re-
fcrred in a previous editorial--those who con
slider The broad educational influences of the
university should not be extended to every
body and those who think these influences
should not be extended to anybody In the
counselS OF reaction. tory eXcluSveneSs and
provincial shallowness and narrowness lie
down together. Misguided friends of the
common schools and honest advocates of
rigid economy no longer will be able to with
hold their support. SO far they are con
cerned, the groundwork OF opposition has
been destroyed.
There remains business propositions and
extraordinarily favorable to Virginia
'fhe greater part OF the expense Of inaugural
ing the coordinate college is to be borne by
the supporters of the movement and others
10 whom this concession TO democratic cduca-
tiona ideals will make an inevitable appeal
An endowment fund OF $50, 900 has been
promised before the State is to be asked TO
give penny. hut much larger endowment
could have heen offered with entire safety
md is certain TO be provided.
This done and the college established il
should be encouraged, but permitted, TO prove
itself Ii the evils of which it's enemies speak
nave any validity, they are certain 10 show
themselves in practice. If there is truth in
their dire prophecies of the disintegration
OF character and scholarship, that truth will
he made entirely manifest. If the university
with the addition of a coordinate college for
women, shall become less useful rather than
more useful to Virginia and to the great
cause Of education in the South. il will not
he too late To remedy the mistake
For it is not proposed TO do everything at
once. The plans of President Alderman and
The board Of visitors contemplate the gradual
building up OF the coordinate college. IT, after
= reasonable length Of time. it becomes plain
hat an error OF Judgment has been com
nitted. il can be rectiGed
Blu, lessons OF experience all point the
opposite conclusion. Oxford and Cambridge
IN England, and Harvard. Brown and Co.
inmbia, in this country. have applied CO.
ordination TO the solution OF their problems
and found it good. Nirgina's experience will
be 10 exactly the same effect.
This General Assembly has opportunity To
impress itself indeliby on the history OF
education in this State. H. may stand if il
ill with that one OF its predecessors which
gave The university TO the world II may
Itself make educational history Of the most
enlightened and hcncticent character How
can il hesitate?