The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-02
yRo,xrA MILITARY INSTITUTE, J
February 20, 1880. }

attend . mtetsuR VI TUG 'u'..~s -'... 80,
cicc,inc a principal. Just as he was pre-.
rsrinc 10 start a committee OF the third
,class called at my Office. requesting an aa'
dit;onsl suspension-day TO one sireacy az
sowed 10 prepare for their mathematical ex-
ANIMATION appointed for the 26th instant
the snpertnieudent refused the apphca.
fjov,. ss the class had been granted the usual
suspensiou for intermediate examinations,
ana the application for another day was Dotn
unnecesssry and unreasonable. While 10
s,aupton telegram was received from the
Acting Superintendent, General William
con. Informing the superintendent that Inc
third class Of Cadets. with lew excep-
lions. were In state OF muttDy.
The SUPERINTENDENT returned 10 DUTY ut
AP m. on the 25tb, and found by me re-
mort OF the commandment OF Caoets .na.
reg tllsr combination bad been en'e.su i .'.'
%vmernbers Of the third class 10 take tue
s;,sncns;on .day they bad been refused. The
rcmmondaut OF Cadets convened the class,
endeayored 10 show them their folly, and
as . means OF saving them further trouble
advised them to go TO their Class duties.
They declined TO follow bis counsels, ana
the refractory members OF the class were
ordered uuder arrest. All but four refused
"a obey their arrest. They went TO town,
some in citizens dress, to the Degltctof all
duty and In defiance OF all authority. 10
Mace the disorderly conduct OF these Cadets
In its true light IL Is proper TO state IN de-
tail the circumstances attending II.
The third class commenced Descriptive
Geometry In September under the instruc-
ton OF Colonel Lyell, professor Of mathe-
MATES. and completed 1t on the 3lst OF DC.
tober--27 In a class OF 80 being deficient IN
this study. They then commenced Ana
lytical Geometry, but such eulpable neglect
was exhibited by The second and thlrd Sec
tions that the Superintendent took charge
OF these sections himself, hoping under DIS
personal instruction TO stimulate their IN
d,istry and remove their deficiency. AT the
same time he reviewed the class on tue
whole course OF Descriptive Geometry,
suspeud,ng for this purpose their
course Of Physics. With all these
earnest labors on the part OF Inc
Superintendent, the class reports show "a
Of the class are now deficient in Analytical
Geometry and "a deficient Ia Descriptive
Geometry--the result OF culpable neglect Ill
most cases. Of those members OF the class
who have been most conspicuous In this
rebellion 90 are now de- fcient in Analytical
Geometry and 90 in Descriptive Geometry,
leaving the fair conclusion that the aim OF
their proceedings was to flank the exami-
nation, for which they knew they were not
prepared; for, before making their unrea-
sopable application for a double suspen-
sion, they bad bound themselves by pledge
that they would absent themselves from
this recitation II the permission was refused.
The members OF the class, when they
matricuated, bound themselves by solemn
promise that they ",could obey all tegot
orders of the constituted authorities Of the
Institute" The orders given by the Super
iniendent were legal orders. and they should
have been obeyed.
The I54th article OF the Regulations re.
cites: Gan combinations, under any pre-
text whatever, are prohibited. Any Cadet
who. in concert with Others, shall adopt any
measure under pretence Of procuring re-
dress OF grievances, or sign any paper, OF
enter into any verbal or written agreement
with view TO violate or evade any regula
lion OF the Institute, or TO do any act con
.rary TO good order and subordination, oil
who shall endeavor to persuade others to dt
the same. shall be dismissed"
WHY do young men combine In these un
lawful ways? Because they hope TO pu
law at defiance, and by the power OF mum
bers IN escape penalty. The many would
thus try to do what siagiy none would pre-
sume 10 undertake. A few restless and dis
contented young men start the commotion
The timid, who lack the moral courage Il
do riqht, fall in, sitting the pleadings o
conscience calling them TO their duty, ant
thus some W no would gladly have kept aloo
are, under the excitement Of the moment
carried along with the crowd. 1t has beef
thus that members Of this class have CON
promi ed themselves-some under til
>l.ls NJ fn at
for the liberal provision made for their edu
cation. They have also compromised thei
relations and friends, whose highest desir
is to see them educated gentlemen, and the
would compromise the fair name OF the Viz
GINA Military Institute unless this is pro
tected by appropriate discipline.
1t Is always painful duty to the Super
fntendent to dismiss Cadet. He know
that hearts have to bleed, and that the In
nocent suffer for the guilty. He know
that II IL a serious thing for young man b
be sent from the Virginia Military institute
under dismissal. Gladly would be b
spared this painful duty now, but To
honor and fair name Of the institution ar
involved, and he has no alternative left him
after the continued and persistent deianc
OF all legal authority, against every remon
strauce, but TO declare that the following
named Cadets, members OF the third class
for violation Of the l54th article OF tn
regulations on the 24tb, 18th, and 26lh o
February, 1880, for breach Of arrest an,
disobedience of the orders OF the c0nsti
tuted authorities OF the Institute, ale here
by dismissed, and will forthwith return Il
their homes:
fHere the names OF twenty-seven Cadets
I've Of whom were State Cadets, were given
aud their standing in Analytical Geometr
and Descriptive Geometry
The Superintendent would recognize q
deserving Of special notice the following
named Cadets, who remained faithful to thei
duty aud would not Join the combination
~. II. Stewett, OF Rockbridge; w. ID
Winston, OF Hanover; r. l.. Poage, o
Pulaski; e. r. ID. Myers, OF Richmond;
C. Taylor. OF Norfolk.
Cadet Il. A. James was absent on sick
furlougb.
Cadet Dennis was sick In hospital.
The following named Cadets bad joine,
the combination, but in O manly spiri
obeyed the order Of arrest OF the com
mandant Of Cadets, aud are TO be dealt will
considerably: 0. NJ. Rutiedge, OF Soutl
Carolina; ID. II. Maury, OF Virginia; h. I
Vaughan, Of Virginia; J. W. Patton Q
Virginia.
The superintendent would especial
commend the good conduct Of the hrs'
second, and fourth classes, who. In 10
midst Of much 70 disorganixe them, wer
faithful to their duties and maintaine
Tue Adiusant win cause copy Of thi
order - b. sent 70 the parent or guardia
a. nVnty Cadet.