The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-13
BIacksburg COIlege--LegisIative III
quiry Demanded.

All lovers Of harmony must have read
with interest in the Dispatch OF the 18th in
slant the gushing letter Of "Veri," who
wrote from BIacksburg concerning the az
fairs Of the Agricultural College just after
the recent visit there OF the new president
elect, Professor John l.. Buchanan. Ac.
cordng to "Veri" everything is lovely
ut the college now, and it is all mistake
that there has been or is anything amiss
there. So far from it, the millennium seems
actually to have begun in that quarter.
" Every member Of the Faculty Is charmed
with the man ri. e., Professor Buchanan
and there is "such delightful feeling
now existing" in the college that it is as
tonishing any body outside should be so
perverse as to think anything can be wrong,
and then the Visitors have been so yirtuous-
~ economical. and have by their late action
| saved the college so much mOney-S1, 200
| in salaries alone-that it is a shame they
should be attacked in the newspapers, and
have ugly accusations OF malfeasance fas-
tened on them, and be threatened with a
legislative investigation. Alas! that such
immaculate public iunctionaries should be
so little appreciated.
| Now, we have not one word TO say against
Professor Buchanan. Though personally a
stranger to us, we know him through
others, and suppose that il n new president
| had TO be chosen for the Agricultural Col
| lege no better selection could have been
made. But wo cannot reconcile the asser-
ton OF "Veri" that he will enter upon
his duties in February" with the announce
ment in the Richmond Stqte OF the preced-
ing evening that lie has resolved for the
present not to accept the position-under
the circumstances exactly what We should
have expected OF so sensible a man. A lit
tie to delay is certainly his safest course.
AS 10 the measures OF retrencbment re-
Gently adopted by the Board we are not as
enthusiastic as "Veri." II Professor Sher-
herd-who is said to be a good business
mans equally competent, and is willing
TO discharge for nothing the duties OF trea-
surer, for which Mr.. Giles ID. Thomas has
lately received compensation OF $500, II
would appear wise to make the change.
But, il this arrangement was possible, why
was there ever salaried treasurerY AS u
whether it was real economy so to adjust
the instruction in English as TO eject from
the professorship in that important depart
ment that veteran scholar Charles Martin
probably the best read man, as he was un
deniably the most experienced teacher, In
the Faculty-is matter OF grave question
MOI are we ny any mtaHs Us wen satisHcu -,
.'Veri" Of the "emlnent qualifications and
fitness" of the new incumbent. But or
these points we forbear to dwell.
The object OF the communication under
consideration would appear to be to throw
dust in the eyes Of the Legislature, and, II
possible, avert the investigation which. &C.
c0rding to "Veri," "the Board OF Visitors
would doubtless be very glad" TO have, and
which be even processes TO court for them,
and desires may abe complete" We trust
the Legislature will not be headed of by
any such means, but viii press 10 the Ut
most the proposed inquiry and "send FOL
persons and papers," Until this Is done