Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-02-28
The Virginia Military Institute.

The Jill before the Legislature to .'re-
organic the old Virginia Military In
stitute night more properly be entitled
q bill % give half q dozen hungyy Re-
adjuste's Offices" In the appointment
and election of professors of the State
institution of learning the question Of
politics has never entered-only the
capalility and fitness of the applicant
for any position was considered, and
not big political bias. Forty-two years
ago he first Board of Visitors was ap-
poinef by Gov. David Campbell. and
the Lte Gen Bernard Pey ton, Adjutant-
Genr$l OF Virgins, and for many years
pOstIf aster OF Richmond, when it was
an h{ lOr to hold Office, raised the flag
of TIL State over it's walls. The board
elect Gen. Francis HI Smith, West
Pom II, superin endent of the Institute,
and has held the position ever since.
In time how many young men has
this venerable teacher of the youth of
the Euth turned out upon the world
cult3ed men of learning and science,
incldiDg Stonewall Jackson, Coils.
Gillian and Preston. Three thousand
four hundred and seventy cadets, from
variols sections Of the country, princi.
pally rom the Sunny South, have been
admitted. OF this number 1,M1 were
full graduates. The official record also
shows that 200 were killed in battle, lie
became professors and teachers, 1856 civil
enpiheers, 100 merchants, "a farmers
and painters, SO physicians, 80 clergy
men and 10 bankers. OF the faculty
killei in battle were: Lieut-Gen. Tho
mas j. Jackson, Gen. r. E. Rodes, and
Col, b. Crutcbfield. or those dying
from disease superinduced by exposure
10 tta field or the exhausting cares OF
Stat were Commodore Matthew F.
MauV, who received more honOrk and
dec0IhtiOns from the crowned heads Of
EurPe than any man that ever lived
Col. William Gilman, Col. w. D.
Washington, Col James w. Massie and
DR. Il. s. Madison, all Of whom your
humble correspondent knew personal
ly Il be brave, honorable men, sans
peudst sons repr0che. Ofthe first class
Of p. admitted at the opening Of the
institution, November IL. 1889, four fell
ia b1ttle. and only seven survive Col.
Ed Rendleton, Gen. Wyatt M. Elliott
(Stde senator), J. T. Smith, V. s
Saul ders. o M Knight, Jas. Marshall
and Louis A. Garnet. OF the mem
bera of the first faculty two survive and
hav labored together since November
IL, 139. within the time.honored walls
of lie institution: Gen. Francis H.
Sm1 cold specs'') and Col. J. T. L
Pred on cold stand byD, and these
two| Venerable gentlemen. who have
gro IN gray in the service, the Legisla-
ture Iof the Old Dominion proposes to
tur1 out upon the world because they
are not bowling Readjusters! Oh,
shat ae /! where is thy blush
.rve first Board OF Visitors appointed
by Qov. Campbell were Col C. Crozet,
Gen p G Johnston, Gen. William Liz
gontGen. Thomas A. Bolts, Gen. G. P.
Do1 nen, Gov. James McDnwell, DR..
Alf)ed Lsyburn, J. T. J.. Preston and
Hurh Barclay Of whom only one now
surs(ves-Col. Preston-and as before
statih, a professor in the Institute.
NogE observe critically the names 81
the Board of Visitors cited above. and
thee note the bOard soon to be appoint
ed ~ CIV. Cameron, with the delegates
froti Rockbridge. the Chesterfeldian
JintF razier, as president of the board.
If he friends of the Institute 'have
teald to shed prepare to shed them
novI" for Frazier is sure to be on the
boa d, 1.-The bottom rail on top" and nc
mistake Richmond correspondence
Washington Post.