The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-28

5diiion OF the STATE Jt is tmposslpie now 70
erectfhe observatory, but that u hf: Dic-
Cormiek viii permit the telescope WIN DC
received. Jhnrsed, and -weli taken care OF
.untii the finances OF the State permit the
erection OF the Observatory, DC.
& MFR. LADY claimed That this proposed ac-
ton would probably deprive Washing TO
and Lee University OF this Telescope. Inc
proposition was TO pledge tne state us Soon
as possible to erect binding over tne
telescope at the University OF virginia.
The telescope, he thought, mao 6een, or was
to be, given to Washington ana Lee UNI
Yersity by Mr.. McCormiek, !,
Mr.. BococK Thought Tue gentleman WAS
Iaboring under Q wrong lmprss s ,n,, ihe
University OF Virginia was iar from de-
string TO fitch ANYTHING from the Washing
tom and Lee University. There was proba-
hIy q ding somewhere. He
had seen letters from Mr.. Nice say
inc that he had made up his mind to donate
this telescope to the University OF Virginia
upon condition that the State would give
SAC. 600 TO build a house to protect 1t. Ii
not accented for the University OF Virginia
IL would probably be given out OF the state.
THESE letters were received before Christ
mas. hut 11non consultation with enlight-
ened friends OF the University it was deter
mined that in Virginia's present financial
condition it would be in vain to ask Tor the
appropriation now. Then this resolution
was drafted.
Mfr. LADY said that as he understood
there was but one McC ormick telescope, ana
that was to 20 to Washington and Lee UNI
versity.
| Mr.. FOWLER had been in correspondence
with the authorities OF the University an q mao
learned that Mr.. Mccormick had said that
the telescope should go to the University OF
Virginia and to no other Virginia lnstltu.
ton, and il not accepted by Virginia Wouid
be given TO some institution outside OF the
State.
/ Mr.. LADY, while paying compliment to
Mr.. Mccormick, contended that there was
misunderstanding somewhere. Ii wash
inston and Lee was unable to comply with
the conditions of Mr.. Mccormick Tin case
he proposed to give it thcre), OF course that
gentleman could do as be pleased. But, II
the State could help the University in the
| matter, why couldn't it help Washington
and Lee to get this valuable instrument!
| General ECHoLs; member OF the Board OF
Trustees of Washington and Lee, was Well
acquainted with Mr.. Leander McCormlck,
native of Virginia, who had acquired
large fortune in the West. and whose heart
| now turns back to the State with love and
yeneration for this his old mother. He
hopcd nothing that had occurred here
would be construed into an intimation OF
improper conduct OH the part OF that en-
| cellent man. He knew that the probability
of Washington and Lee receiving this tele-
scope had been discussed; but he was not
sure that Dir. cCormick had actually given
them the instrument II he had, it was
probably upon some conditions which the
! institution had been unable to comply with.
The House might be sure that Mr.. McCor-
mick was actuated solely by patriotic mo-
tives. While he had hoped that Mr..
Mccormick would give the instrument
TO Washington and Lee University, he re-
cognized his right to bestow it where
he chose. He believed that upon full
investigation it would be found that
Mr.. Mccormick had acted rs 4 true-hearted
and noble Virginan, only intent upon do
ing good to the one or the other OF these
institutions. He thought that Mr.. McCor-
mick would have preferred to have given
il to Washington and Lee, as he was born
in that county, and II he had determined
not to do so it was very likely because he
had come to the conclusion that Washing
ton and Lee could not make the proper
provision for housing and operating the
| instrument. ..-..
General ECuoIs stated that Mr. McCor-
mick spent his summers in his native noun
tains, refreshing himself in the society OF
Virginia people; that when he retired from
business he expected to return to this State,
and that it was his wisl. that his body after
death be laid with his ancestors. -.
After some further debate the resolution
was passed by in order to allow Mr.. .BoCocK
to present some letters and memorials on
the subject. All the gentlemen who spoke
on the resolution desired to be understood
as endorsing Mr.. McCormick's liberality
and high character.
The House ordered the resolution, memo
rial, &C., to be printed.
At 2:05, on motion OF Mr.. WHITE OF Han
over, the House adjourned.